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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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Great Car for the Money - 2005 Scion TC
By antioch - January 20 - 10:53 amI bought my Scion tC for my long commute. It is fun to drive and gets decent gas mileage. You can also buy Toyota TRD upgrades that can add some more vroom without voiding your warranty. I like it!
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Good Deal - 2005 Scion xA
By XA Jake - January 15 - 10:00 amI bought this car for the gas milage but what I got was much more. I think this is the best car that I have ever driven to this point. The extra features that you can get with it is outstanding. I love sports cars so I got the lowering kit and 18 inch rims along with the Cold air induction and sport muffler. The gas milage is about 36 miles to the gallon and I get alot of responce on the gas pedal. I cant even get in it without someone asking me about it. I dont know how any other car companys are going to sell compacts when this car becomes more known. There are things that I would change in the manufacture but they would all drive up the base line price.
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8.5 - 2008 Scion XB
By Greg/Placerville - January 14 - 3:00 amWe had a 2005 xB, but it was totaled in a wreck. It crashed well, and we decided to go ahead with a new 08. We like the new safety feature of a side curtain airbag. The ride is smoother, the acceleration faster, and the noise level has been greatly decreased. My wife and I have both noticed that you have to keep an eye on the speedometer as you can be going 80+ and not realize it. We got 30-32 MPG with the 05, but only get 26-28 MPG with the new 08. It handles well, but I occasionally have a problem with the ground clearance. I have to be careful backing out of driveways with a sharp drop off. The "cyclops" backup light is no brighter than a regular backup light, so only half the light.
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More than I expected ... - 2006 Scion XB
By Philip McCririe - January 6 - 7:50 pmI got the xB release model. It is really a head turner as well a a car that is fun to drive. I am a high mileage commute driver and for the money this is a hard car to beat. The gas mileage I have received has exceeded the Scion sticker numbers on every tank of gas I have pumped. With the five speed manual transmission, the power seems to be more than enough to get me to and from work. With my previous USA car, I had to constantly downshift to get over the hills or merge into freeway traffic. With my xB I just leave it in fifth gear and climb hills or enter freeways easily. I love my xB and would recommend that all commuters give it a good look. Great car for the money.
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Get the R S 1.0 - 2005 Scion xA
By happy lad - January 1 - 6:13 pmI have had my XA R S 1.0 for only a week, but so far I love it. The bright red color(only for the R S 1.0) gets looks every where I go.
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My Scion XD - 2008 Scion XD
By Edwin - December 28 - 9:16 amI love this new Scion. So much fun to drive. The handling is ok and the performance is fast and smooth. Like most small cars, space is a problem as there isnt much room in the backseat. I just wish that the trunk was enlarged also.The left/right turn signal on the side mirrors was a cool design; a copy design from Mercedes.
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My little xB - 2004 Scion XB
By jpshadow - December 26 - 10:00 amThe car has a wonderful new very unconventional design when compared to the current roundness of new cars. The car has lots of room for passengers or cargo but unfortunately not for both. Great gas mileage. Great no haggle buying experience, if you go to the right dealer.
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MY SCION IS GREAT - 2004 Scion XB
By RICARDO - December 20 - 2:00 amI LIKE THE CAR.. BUT I PERSONALLY UP GRADED IT .. WITH A TURBO FROM SCIONED.COM AND 19/8 IN RIMS FROM AND REAR LOWERING KIT GIBSON EXAUST HEADER AND DUAL EXAUST FLOWMASTER INTAKE AND STRUT BRACE. REAR AXEL BRACE. FACTORY SPOILER. AND A TORNAD0. IM GETTING ABOUT 220 HORSES OUT OF THIS PUPPY. I LOVE THE CAR.. THE XM RADIO READY STEREO IS GREAT WITH THE NEW 2 THOUSAND WATT AMPS INSTALLED. IT KICKS.. IM THE KIND OF PERSON THIS CAR WAS MADE FOR..
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123,000 miles later - 2005 Scion xA
By peter - November 29 - 6:26 pmI have 123,000 miles and the only problem I had was both front wheel bearing needed replacing. The interior still looks like new. Car rides too harsh and could be quieter. I am confident it will run past the 200,000 mile mark.
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My Box - 2005 Scion XB
By mwj12487 - November 24 - 12:26 pmI financed this car with less than 23k miles on it, and so far have about 54k on it. In that time I havent had to replace anything but a blown tire and a headlight bulb. Scion, although marketed towards those of us in the younger generations, I find to be majorly consumed by those of you in your early to late 50s. The Toyota reliability is completely apparent. If you are searching for a great commuter car that slowly sips on the gas, the Scion xB might just be your heaven-sent. If you are looking for a speed-demon, a luxury soaked dream cruise, look someplace else. Although I adore my "foxy box", it doesnt ever trick you into believing its anywhere above an economy car.
