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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

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  Sweet Deal of a Car! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Jujtsu33 - November 30 - 6:00 am

  Fantastic Value for the money! Put everything in the car and still under 20K purchase price. Stock tires are horrendous in New England weather! Put Continental ExtremeContacts on and it made a world of difference. Have owned cars costing 2, 3X more than the tC but what a value and kick- ass fun to drive!

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  My baby - 2012 Scion XB
  By Reanna - November 30 - 2:38 am

  I love my "box car" you really dont realize how big these cars are until you get inside. This was my first car that I bought through a dealership and I loved every minute of it. The air conditioning was amazing in the front seats, though I heard from the back seat it was average. The car had a lot of storage space and really helped out when it was moving time. The stereo system was great! I dont want to trade him in, but with a baby on the way the price is a little expensive for me. If it wasnt I would keep the car until the wheels fell off. This is a great family car and is very safe! I would recommend to family and my own children

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  I love my Toaster - 2005 Scion XB
  By hisstah - November 29 - 7:00 pm

  This car is quite roomy and I like the visibility I get with all the windows. Its very fuel efficient and reliable and the price was excellent. This is the first time I could afford a *new* car. Ive only ever had used cars before.

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  Great Little Car - 2005 Scion XB
  By Beev - November 29 - 6:46 pm

  This car runs well, handles well, and is a gas saver. My only complaint, thus far, is that the Japanese must have designed, built and tested this car indoors with overhead lighting as the sun visors are far too short to be of any use. The visors cannot be adjusted and that is a problem in the bright sunlight as the windows are large and the visors are tiny, way out of scale. Its as if a 65" man was wearing the slacks of a 5 man, get the picture? Otherwise, its a good car.

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  Definitely Will Buy Another One - 2006 Scion TC
  By D Hermen - November 21 - 5:20 pm

  The 2006 Scion tC is decked out with all the standard options that I would want. I only added a few things, and it turns heads like nobodys business. The manual transmission has more than enough power for this 23 year old male. I am very hard on cars, and this one has passed every test I have thrown at it so far. The only downside is that on trips you can really only have one or two people with you who have packed lightly.

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  Scion tC is an Amazing Car - 2005 Scion TC
  By lt manis - November 21 - 11:36 am

  I bought my Scion tC about a year ago and it has been my transportation all over the northeast. I get amazing gas mileage, with the high gas prices it has definitly helped me out financially. With all the options on the tC you can really call it your own car. Scions manual transmission is great, it has better pick up better than my friends Camaro, not to mention the steel sport peddle covers that you can have put on and the 6 different shifting knobs you can choose from. When you buy your tC you can choose to have neon lightss installed above the two front riders feet and in the cup holders which gives the interior a truely incredible look. I recommend the tC for anyone that wants a great car.

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  Love this Car! - 2006 Scion TC
  By T.F. - November 20 - 4:10 am

  I LOVE this car. Not only does it look great inside and out, but it drives great too. Like the Lexus, Toyota has hit another home run with the Scion. Out of all the cars Ive owned, this is buy far the best. You cant beat the price compaired to others in its class. Everything is standard. If you are thinking of getting a new car, GET this one youll love it and everything that comes with it.

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  Cannot Find a Better Value - 2006 Scion xA
  By Dave - November 19 - 3:53 pm

  I have had my xA for eleven months. You cannot find a better value. For the standard price I got an engine with variable valve timing, automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, side airbags, air conditioning, power steering, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, rear wiper, rear defroster, a tachometer, a Pioneer radio/CD player and 6 speakers with controls on the steering wheel, a 60/40- split-folding rear seat, first aid kit, etc. Checkout Edmunds.coms True Cost to Own and note the five year depreciation compared to other cars. I have maintained gas records. The worst tank mileage was 26.32, the best 36.71, average for 39 fill ups: 30.51 mpg.

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  My Scion - 2006 Scion XB
  By Brenda Pappas - November 14 - 10:33 am

  Bought it because of the Toyota name, the cargo space, gas mileage around town and the "green" engine. Price and warranty were great. It has performed well, has great pick up and drives and parks easily. I can haul my dogs or my gardening equipment and plants in it easily. Only two complaints... change the location of the cup holder and try to smooth out the ride some.

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  Outdoors man - 2008 Scion XB
  By outdor guy - November 14 - 2:46 am

  A very fine car. I pull a small boat and still get 29 mpg on the highway. A fun to drive car. Room for all my gear and then some. A very good car for the times. The mpg I get on this car is 39 highway 34 all around. Fog lights are a must have item. The sound system is very good and the air is great.