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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Shoe Box! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Dan - August 6 - 8:03 pm

  As a couple in our 40s with two small kids, we hardly fit Toyotas intended Gen-Y/first- time buyer profile. We wanted a fuel-efficient vehicle to haul said kids around town, and the xB fit the bill perfectly. Having visted Japan many times, Ive seen plenty of these small/tall vehicles, which are offered by all Japanese mfrs, not just Toyota. In a country where traffic and parking issues are far worse than the US, theyre quite popular. Kudos to Toyota for the foresight to export the xB. I bought ours in Oregon to avoid sales tax, and drove it 1200 miles back to Colorado. While its not ideal for long-distance travel, its comfortable (Im 64"), cruises all day at 80-85, and gets 32mpg.

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  RS 1.0 is a DREAM! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Scion Scotty - August 5 - 5:40 pm

  Id never even heard of Scion until I read a review of the xA in a local paper. Looking to trim my gas bill a bit (was driving Explorer Sport Trac), I ventured in and test drove the xA RS 1.0 they had on the lot... and immediately, it had to be mine. You sit very high in this little car so I dont feel intimidated at all. It is very peppy and fun to drive. Outstanding handling from a car in the price range. Loaded with standard features that are optional add-ons in similar classed vehicles. I recommend Scion now to any who ask about it... and every does!

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  Best Value Ever - 2005 Scion xA
  By D. Remmers - August 5 - 6:46 am

  This car is the best value you can get for your money. Standard ABS, great sound system, power everything-you-could-want, and great gas mileage all for about $13,500.

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  I like this car a lot! - 2005 Scion TC
  By ScubaSteve - August 5 - 5:56 am

  I test drove the Mazda 3, VW GTI and Scion tC all in the same day. All had great features about them - Mazda felt more nimble, had 4 doors, and I like the design & the VW was the sportiest and had leather seats - but the tC was without a doubt the best overall value. And factoring in Toyotas reliability record compared to Mazda and VW and the haggle free selling approach I just couldnt pass up on the tC. Its stylish, comfortable, has tons of standard features that usually cost extra on other cars in this price range, and offers a decent amount of performance. Unfortunately, at around 8,000 miles, I started getting the sunroof "pop" and now theres a rattle coming from somewhere in my hatch :-\

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  In a double rollover! - 2009 Scion XD
  By Kerry - August 4 - 4:50 am

  T-boned (broadsided,) out of state, rolled twice, wrapped around a light pole. No broken bones! No broken windows!?!?! What a sturdy little beast.

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  FUN..FUN..FUN - 2005 Scion XB
  By CLATSOPMAMA - August 2 - 10:00 am

  GREAT LITTLE CAR!!! SAW ONE JUST HAD TO HAVE IT! THE MAIN REASON WAS ITS DIFFERENT THEN WHATS OUT THERE AND THAT REALLY APPEALED TO ME!!GREAT INTERIOR VERY COMFORTABLE, NICE STEREO, LOVE THE KEY LESS ENTRY NO SCRATCHES FROM MY KEYS ON THE DOOR! LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE, LOVE THE FOLD DOWN SEATS.REPLACED THE THE WHEELS WITH THE NEW SPINNERS..REALLY CATCHES EVERYONE EYE!NOT SURE ON GAS YET ONLY HAD FOR A WEEK!!! MADE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART.. BOUGHT IT FOR MY 50TH BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO MY SELF!!!!!GREAT FEATURES FOR SUCH A LOW BASE PRICE!!!

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  Fantastic vehicle, recommend to all - 2005 Scion TC
  By Joe Balls - August 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle for an every day driver car to go to work every day. I never expected to enjoy the drive the way I do. It seems that may people are quickly turning there heads in the direction I am heading to see and figure out what king of vehicle I am driving. It is very comfortable, very powerful (for its size) and its a great looking car...

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  Great Little Car - 2009 Scion TC
  By Debbie - July 31 - 10:46 pm

  The steering is tight as a sports car. It handles great with a lot of get up and go. Excellent sound system. I love the color - Sizzling Crimson. A lot of people ooohed and aahhhed as it was driven off the showroom floor. With minimum down, I still had great low payments.

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  The Only Commuter Car on the Market - 2006 Scion xA
  By scionhead77 - July 30 - 10:13 pm

  There is no other car (that Ive found) that has the combination of fuel efficiency, excellent braking/handling, subcompact size, safety features, Toyota-like reliability, amazing design quality (interior and exterior), and low price. This car has been *very* fun to drive and show off.

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  Love the Bread Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By Richmond, Va - July 30 - 3:13 pm

  The Scion xB is comfortable, reliable, and fun.