Overview & Reviews

Scion is one of the youngest brands on the market -- which seems appropriate given that it's targeted at a very youthful demographic. Scion has quickly found a home in the hearts of buyers seeking its winning blend of value and style. The frosting on this cake is that Scion is part of the Toyota family, offering all the quality and reliability you'd expect from a marque with its parentage.

When Toyota realized early in the 21st century that it was losing market share in the younger demographic due to a stodgy image, the company took a chance and decided to spin off a new brand called Scion (its name means "descendant" or "heir to"). The first Scions, the xA and xB models, were introduced for the 2004 model year. These edgy little cruisers were first available only in the California market; after a staggered rollout, Scion vehicles became available nationwide.

Both the xA and xB were immediate hits, snapped up by young (or young at heart) buyers looking for high-quality, fun and affordable wheels. The boxy yet funky styling of the Scions provided a lot of passenger and cargo room for the cars' small footprints, making them ideal choices for campus and urban residents alike. They also coddled the youth market with flashy sound systems; Scion's stereos are among the best in the economy-car segment.

The following year, the Scion brood grew to include the tC. This compact but sporty coupe offered more performance relative to its older siblings, thanks largely to a more powerful engine. The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor. By 2012, Scion had introduced the tiny iQ city car and the sporty FR-S sport coupe.

In the interest of keeping things simple for buyers, Scions typically come in only one trim level. However, buyers have the option of customizing their rides with a host of dealership-provided accessories, such as a subwoofer, body kits and custom exhausts. Scion also offers no-haggle pricing wherein buyers pay the list (window sticker) price, thus streamlining the negotiation process.

So far, a simple and well-equipped model lineup, no-haggle pricing and a variety of dealer-added options have combined to make the Scion brand popular with American consumers. The economy car segment isn't typically the first place you'd look for stylish, fun-to-drive vehicles, but Scion has changed all that by offering cars rich with a seductive exuberance that belies their modest pricing.

User Reviews:

• 

  Overpriced for what you get - 2008 Scion XD
  By DL - November 11 - 5:16 pm

  My wife bought this monday. Over all it is not a bad car but dealing with Scion dealers left a bad taste in our mouth. Scion likes to claim they have a "Pure Price" that is set by Scion but the dealers pile on doc fees and every other fee you can think of. But that is enough about the horrible dealers and lets talk about the xD. The car itself is very small. It is basicly a four door toyota yaris but it does have side airbags standard and in this car you will need them in a T bone crash. My wife thought the ride of the car was ok but to me it felt just like the old scion xA which was bumpy and cheap feeling. The car has about 23 more hp than the xA but on the road you cannot feel it.

• 

  I love my lil iQ - 2012 Scion IQ
  By amadcow2 - November 11 - 3:04 pm

  I was attracted to the iQ for the gas mileage at the onset, but quickly grew to admire the little car. The final decision to buy my iQ was made when my wife asked my children; What car do you see your dad driving? The answer made my choice clear; The iQ So Im now driving a nice purple iQ with the following at time of purchase: Lowering Springs, Anti Sway Bar, Fog lights, Spoiler I put in the following aftermarket: Pioneer AVIC Z140BH, Injen Cold Air Intake I love my little iQ. Its peppy and handles very very well. Im mostly happy with the gas mileage, knowing that it will get better as I break in the engine.

• 

  Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By Arroyo - November 10 - 2:06 am

  I was looking for a small car that got great gas milage but not at the cost of a hybrid. I bought the Scion xA based on Edmunds.coms review. Im so happy I did. The car has actually outperformed my original expectations. It seats 5 people quite comfortably and the ride is surprisingly smooth for such a small car. The car is about 8 months now and I have had zero problems with it so far. I love it.

• 

  A Tall Persons Car - 2005 Scion XB
  By VeryTall - November 10 - 1:13 am

  Im 6-7. This is the first socially responsible car Ive driven in which I can sit up straight. Its like sitting in a chair while driving, which makes all the little annoyances melt away. The car is fun to drive and has a good, basic sound system. Yes, I could have spent twice as much on a big ol SUV and challenged the road, but thats not what driving should be able. This is a fun car that gets noticed and does a lot of things right.

• 

  Great Value - 2005 Scion TC
  By ElMariaci - November 9 - 8:00 am

  I recently purchased a tc, I am very pleased with it. The car itself is a great value with excellent standard features. It is clear that the profit margin for the vehicle is made on scion accessories. I dont know that any of the accessories are a great buy. For instance I can get chrome wheel locks for $25 and scion is asking $49. This is just the beginning. You cant beat this car at this price, but consider going to other vendors for accessories.

• 

  Did my own crash test, unfortunately. - 2005 Scion XB
  By Lee - November 8 - 12:03 pm

  I was hit in the drivers side rear door of my Scion xB, spun around three times, jumped the curb, and stopped when I hit a tree. I got out without a scratch. These take the impact for you, and apparently dont roll over like I thought they might. All of the cars glass was still intact. Id let my niece drive it and not worry now...well, that is when they put it back together. I love this little thing. Also, I have had about 1,000 lbs. in the back and it drives like its empty. We own two of xBs and the 2004 model seems faster than the 2005. We have exactly the same features on both. This car is a great buy and a safe ride.

• 

  I love my Scion - 2005 Scion xA
  By Evan - November 7 - 8:00 am

  I love my new Scion xA. I decided t get the one with all of the features on it and I love everything about the car.

• 

  Fun! Plus Economical to Buy and Drive - 2005 Scion xA
  By Kevin Mack - November 1 - 5:56 pm

  I wanted a four door that would be reliable and economical to buy and drive. I took my 17 year old daughter with me car shopping, and brought home the Absolutely Red Version 1.0 Scion xA. I have been very pleased with the car. It is fun to drive, and it NEVER fails to draw positive comments from total strangers. I use it for business, taking grown men to lunch, and they all love it, even though it is targeted at the younger market. I call it my mid- life crisis on a budget.

• 

  Bang for your Buck - 2008 Scion XB
  By Razo - October 30 - 10:10 am

  EXCELLENT build, mileage, performance, and quality in ITS CLASS. Keep that in mind. My wife traded in her Chrysler T&C and she fell in love with this car. We have two kids and its so roomy. The windshield is huge and impressive. The bigger engine helps pull this small car in traffic. Its about the same size as a BMW X3 and had gotten positive comments from family and friends who never liked the previous models. Im more of an Acura guy and I have to give respect to this Scion. I would purchase it. Always test drive first.

• 

  great little used car - 2008 Scion XB
  By jjjjjohnson - October 29 - 11:21 pm

  Happy with it PROS: great little short distance commuter. nice simple interior. simple easy to clean exterior. smooth auto trans. nice strong 2.4 engine. very reliable once you replace or update its weak cooling system and weak brakes. strong a/c system. CONS: cheaply built car. cheap interior pieces. mpg is only so so. paint and exterior trim is weak. suspension is a little bumpy. not a long distance freeway car. cant take abuse got this for about 6800.00 cash. the cheaper you get it the better. then upgrade the weak cooling system and braking system. runs about 600.00. if you can afford it. move up to a 2010 and up used model. they were more reliable cars.