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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Happy with 08 - 2008 Scion XB
  By mark mckee - May 12 - 5:10 pm

  Overall the car has good pickup for a 4 cylinder. I am getting 27.5 mpg driving 16 miles through 30 stoplights in a major us city. No one can believe the interior room the car has. Went out on a double date and fit 4 adults in the car comfortably. I do suggest upgrading the radio to the second upgrade pioneer if you want to enhance the sound quality in the future. I have added a bazooka subwoofer aftermarket and the audio installers could not believe the quality of stereo that came from the factory. The ride is smooth for a small size vehicle. Overall people like to ask me about the car. Everywhere you go someone will be looking at it wondering what it is.

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  Great Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By sciontologist - May 12 - 5:53 am

  The acceleration is very good. I only have 2,000 miles on mine but have not experienced any problems. I have seen only one other tC on the road (in Ohio). I like the availability of reasonably priced accessories on the Internet.

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  I am in Love with my X-Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By jennifer - May 10 - 10:43 pm

  I get 35 mpg in my Scion xB! Thats right. I love it. It is so much fun to drive and I get major looks around town. The kids love it too. The standard features are awsome and the satilite radio is cool. My dealer gave me Sirus free for 9 months and threw in a free cruise control!

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  Scion xB - The Best Deal Money Can Buy! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Jeffrey A. - May 7 - 9:50 pm

  Ive had my xB for two years and still love it the way I did when I brought it home. Its getting 33 mpg and still gets plenty of attention on the street and at shows. If you want a vehicle that dang near does it all the xB has you covered and then some.

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  Scion Is Great - 2006 Scion XB
  By amy - May 5 - 10:50 pm

  I think this is a great vehicle. The interior has plenty of room . My husband is 6 feet tall and has plenty of room in it. It gets great gas mileage.

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  Best of both WORLDS - 2009 Scion XB
  By YouthPastor - May 5 - 12:36 am

  Ive had many new cars in the last 11-yrs. 2 Grand Prixs, Grand Am, Dakota, Colorado, Town & Country, Spectra, Ranger, Sable and now the Scion XB 09 So far, the Scion is THE BEST car Ive ever owned. My 3 kids (7,5,1) fit in the back seat with car seats. Only the Van has done that..and the GP but with denting the interior armrests. Has tether point for all back seats (lower & Upper). Tons of Trunk space. Every Safety feature, trac control, stability control, brake assist, anti-lock, 6 Airbags (that alone is worth half the value of the XB). A very powerful 4-cyl while being very fuel efficient! Getting 30 mpg avg. Head-turning style. Great ride. Fun to drive. GREAT resale value!

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  Best car for the cash - 2005 Scion TC
  By italianman4585 - May 4 - 9:30 pm

  For the money the 2005 Scion tC is definitely the best car you can buy. It blows away any other vehicles in its price range. The sound system is incredible and all of the other features that one would find on a higher end car are incorporated in the tC. It has nice pick up and handling around corners. Over all this car is the best.

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  The Best - 2006 Scion XB
  By Jan Machado - May 3 - 3:40 pm

  I did a lot of research before I bought this car, and I have no regrets! I bought the 5-speed manual. We live in snow country and it handles like a dream with studded tires. There is a ton of room inside. I like the look of the car. I have averaged 32 mpg from the start. The only thing I missed was a center arm rest but hey, with the over all quality and gas mileage thats not a biggie. Yes I know I can buy a center arm rest, but thought it a bit pricey. I had a PT Cruiser for many years, and did not give it a second thought when I drove away in my xB. I dont feel this car lacks power but then, I dont feel the need to drive at 70 mph, 55 mph is just fine.

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  Wonderful car for price - 2005 Scion TC
  By SJScionTC - May 3 - 2:50 pm

  After reading countless reviews, I decided to buy a used tC. The previous reviews are correct. There is rattling in the car from different places. The interior door handles are easily scratched. Six speakers sharing 160 watts is a little weak, especially when you have the windows rolled down on the freeway, but when up it sounds good. Overall, I bought this car used with 45,000 miles and it runs wonderfully. I expected the rattling especially a car that starts at $16,000. I do get 28 mpg, but I am 80% freeway. My other cars were a civic prelude and integra and they rattle a bit as well. I recommend this car, but remember its a car that is under $20,000 so you cant expect too much.

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  Great Affordable Car - 2004 Scion xA
  By sunflower - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because I needed something I could drive and not pay a fortune for gas. I have two kids and its been a great car. My son is now 5 and starting to outgrow the backseat. You definitely dont have enough leg room for a tall person driving and a person in the back seat. Other than that I have had no problems at all with it.