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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Green Xb - 2004 Scion XB
  By bb box - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money. Lots of leg room,seats are high making entrance and exiting the car easy.Not fast but not as bad as I thought it would be. I got 38 miles per gallon on hwy.

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  Illinois driver - 2004 Scion XB
  By Tyler from Illinois - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car for my business. I drive around 800 miles a week and needed something comfortable and economical. This car fit my needs. I didnt want a standard run of the mill car. I wanted to buy American, but nothing had the combination of gas mileage and looks.

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  9+ - 2005 Scion XB
  By Blackswann - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This Vehicle is a road warriors dream. With all the miles I put on a car this car has simply performed like a champion. Great milage and comfort a real winner!

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  boxcar - 2005 Scion XB
  By jszteiter - July 31 - 10:00 am

  excellent handling and gas mileage. more room than you can believe. fun to drive. cruises at 70-75 with no strain.

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  Best car I ever owned! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Roy Lindahl - July 30 - 8:26 am

  I ordered my 2005 Scion tC back in June 2004 and waited a month for it. It was well worth it. I have never had a car that I enjoy driving. First time in my life driving to work is fun. For as little as it costs it is such a great quality car. Plus it gets lots of looks. Add XM to it and you will just want to drive around in it forever!

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  so far so good - 2005 Scion TC
  By greg - July 28 - 1:13 pm

  Great car, best investment i have made in a automobile in years. This car costs less than half of what i normally pay for a car & it is twice the fun. So far the build quality is typical toyota which is fine with me. The standard features in this car can not be touched in this price class. I hope the long term experience with this car is just as enjoyable as the short term[350 miles].

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  I Love It - 2006 Scion XB
  By scionxb tricked out - July 27 - 6:43 am

  I love my new Scion xB. Its new, different, fast and tricked out. Try it and youre hooked. Ive added about $7,000 in aftermarket and TRD parts to mine. It beats Hondas hands down.

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  Best Car for the Money! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Brian Jones - July 25 - 11:26 pm

  Ive owned my 2006 Scion xA for over a year. Its been a fun, practical, and economical auto. With the automatic transmission and city driving, Ive averaged about 30-34 mpg while squeezing out a solid 40 mpg highway; with the caveat that you must keep the speed under 65 MPH to do so. The car is roomy, comfortable, and comes with more standard features than any similar vehicle in its class. Ive hauled a 27" television, groceries from Costco, and a Coleman portable generator in my little hatchback. The car is peppy in traffic, handles well, and steers on a dime making it easy to park. I compared it to the Rio, Aveo, and Focus and the xA was the best bang for the buck with Toyota service.

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  05 Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By scionoc - July 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is affordable and fun to drive with accessories found on much more expensive cars. Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control are unheard of in a car for less than $15,000.

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  Happy Scion owner - 2005 Scion XB
  By chiefie - July 25 - 10:00 am

  A lot of people tease about the shape of the Xb but after all the kidding is done all agree that it is the roomiest car they have ever seen. I have been averaging 29 MPG day to day driving and I have gotten as high as 39 MPG on the road but 34 - 35 MPG is the norm. The versatility of the car is great. I have carried 4 passengers comfortably and have been able to carry doors and lots of STUFF in it. The Xb is the greatest small car I have ever owned. The only car I hold in higher regard is my 1967 Mustang.