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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Worth the wait - 2009 Scion XD
  By Goog49 - July 18 - 3:23 pm

  I was replacing a 98 Civic Hatchback. Desperately needed Cruise Control because of my commute. Also needed Traction Control because of the snow we get here. Test drove the xD, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. The cargo area in the Versa wasnt suitable for my dogs, the Yaris would only accommodate aftermarket Cruise Control, and the Fits seat was very uncomfortable, at least for me. It took a few weeks to get the color and options I wanted. Gas mileage in the mid 30s, so far. Nice acceleration and overall ride. Interior nicely laid- out. Quirky exterior look, but just fine to me!

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  blue streak tc - 2005 Scion TC
  By joshsmallwood - July 18 - 5:53 am

  the car has alot of good handling and has a nice takeoff without having any Performance parts. I think the interior is alright but the seats could be a little better.

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  FANTASTIC - 2005 Scion TC
  By chris - July 15 - 2:20 pm

  I just bought this car last week and I just cant stop driving it. You just cant beat the car for the price. 5- speed, dual sun roofs, killer looks, this car is AMAZING!

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  Good car for long commutes - 2006 Scion xA
  By melissa - July 12 - 7:46 pm

  While it doesnt have the power of my last car, a V6 Mercury Cougar, I knew I would have to make a trade-off for the better gas mileage. Mostly picked this car for the promised fuel efficiency but am a little disappointed in that area. Hoping the lower cost of upkeep will make up for the lack of fuel savings. Also, was a little concerned about the safety of such a small car, but had my first accident in it last month. After being side-swiped by a much larger truck, I was amazed at how little damage was done to the car. Mostly cosmetic. Not even a bump or bruise on me. Would definitely recommend it to anyone in any age group who wants something economical and still fun to drive.

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  Solid car with lots of room - 2005 Scion XB
  By jkm - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car used. Its very solid and basic, much like the imports of the 70s and 80s. For a car with such little power, its surprisingly fun to drive. The interior room is simply amazing. Its like a theater with 6 screens. The car seems to grow magically when you get in. I always tell friends that its bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. Driving position is comfortable but you have to get used to the position of the gauges. The engine is peppy and fun to rev on city streets but merging on the interstate can be a challenge. This is allot of car for the money. Ive found that its several thousand less than a comparable Honda Element, Fit, or Toyota Matrix.

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  Some really obvious design oversights - 2005 Scion TC
  By WL - July 10 - 10:00 am

  A "cool" looking car, however I have had numerous issues with it. The most recent being the poor construction of the rear hatch handle. It snapped off after regular use (not excessive force) and Ive had it epoxied back on twice. It is only held in place by plastic screws and it is the only way to lift open the heavy hatch. The tires are also expensive (low profile racing-type tires).

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  Great buy, fun to drive - 2008 Scion TC
  By Michael - July 9 - 10:40 pm

  Ive had this car for one week now, and have driven 500 miles. My first impression: pros: fun to drive, decent stock handling, fairly quick. So many great standard features, things like 2 sunroofs, cruise control, remote unlock. Very impressive stock stereo. Low price tag. Exterior and interior styling. Roomy. Cons: stock tires dont have amazing performance. Thats all I can really think of. Overall: you cant beat the features for the price. Its a great car, fun to drive, looks amazing, roomy, comfortable, well built. I dont really have anything bad to say besides the fact that it doesnt come with great tires.

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  Best new driver car and more - 2006 Scion xA
  By mszo23 - July 9 - 6:47 am

  I got this car in 2010 a few days after I passed my driving exam. This was the first car I drove on the highway, and it taught me everything I need to know about safety driving. I bought it with 40,000mi on it and now Im up to 90,000. This car has taken 4 1300mi trips from Upstate NY to Florida, a trip to Myrtle Beach, monthly trips to NYC, weekly trips to Niagara Falls, and much MUCH more. It has never failed on me and I only had a minor issue (around a hundred bucks in repairs) once. Its a fantastic car and Im planning on driving it until it can take no more, which I know will not happen for another few years.

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  Great Car - Very Happy! - 2007 Scion TC
  By erynne - July 9 - 6:00 am

  I have had this car for one week and I am very happy with it. I had a very hard time trying to decide between the tC and the 2007 Honda Civic Coupe EX. I think I made the right decision. The tC just seems to have more character and also has more toys than the Civic. Yes, I gave up some gas mileage, but I currently have a short commute and I think it is worth it. If a long commute was an issue I think I could have chosen the Civic and been happy with it as well.

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  Cute - 2006 Scion xA
  By Joy - July 6 - 7:23 pm

  Gas mileage is certainly good. The odometer, etc. being in the center took some getting used to but I now prefer it. The cloth seats should be a better quality. After having owned it a few weeks, someone tapped it in a parking lot. My Scion had been parked. My car sustained damage while the other vehicle had nothing. My concern is the Scion vs anything else on the road! Safety is my major concern. I would also like to add that while sitting at the dealer I mentioned I heard the XA was to be discontinued and she said it was a rumor. A few months later (2 months to be exact), it was discontinued. Be sure to use an honest dealer. I wouldnt buy a pencil from them now.