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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Scion Tc auto - 2005 Scion TC
  By P - May 21 - 11:43 am

  Excellent ride, great gas mileage, superior sound. Lots of people stop to look at it. Well worth the investment.

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  I LOVE IT - 2005 Scion TC
  By CJ - May 19 - 2:20 pm

  I do have to say, this is the best car I have ever purchased. I looked at about 7-8 other cars of similar price and I have to say I dont think I could have made a better decision. It rides so nice, and has all the features that I was looking for. It is worth the wait if you have to order one.

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  The most smiles per mile - 2013 Scion FR-S
  By buhlonee - May 9 - 9:25 am

  Purchased my Asphalt Grey FR-S 6-speed manual in June of 2012. Traded up from a 2002 WRx (original owner), and while I miss the all-wheel drive and turbo rush, my FR-S just makes me smile every time Im behind the wheel. Mine is primarily used as a weekend fun car, and I argue that there is nothing out on the road today that is even close in price that makes you feel as connected to the pure, visceral driving experience as this $24K gem. The steering is easily controlled, the shifter is perfect and the engine grumble is nice (Im a sucker for boxster engines). I would not use this as a daily driver, but as a second car, it is just perfect.

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  My most valued possession. - 2005 Scion xA
  By algebraicjamz - May 8 - 7:23 am

  I was waiting for years to find a car that had artistic looks and excellent mileage that parks easily in my congested city center. I was getting close to buying an Echo as a serious comprimise when I saw the Scion xA was an option. I feel like they put a luxurious feel into the interior that I never expected. I love the handling. Like the Echo, I get blown around a bit on the highway, but thats the price I pay for the satisfaction I get when surrounded by "Stunningly Useless Vehicles" getting gouged at the gas pump. Usually the factory stereo is the thing you take out when installing a real one but the Pioneer is still earning its keep. I have had my car two years now and I love it more everyday.

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  best car i ever owned - 2005 Scion XB
  By sandra - May 7 - 12:10 pm

  absolutey the best car i ever owned!! The gas mileage alone is a good reason to buy this car, but you also get a cute stylish sporty car to boot. Ive noticed alot of people turning their heads to check it out. The price tag cant be beat for a 2005 with all the room the you get. I didnt think when I looked at it from the outside that it would be very roomy, but once you get inside its great. I have two kids and their very comfortable.

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  Great Little Car - 2005 Scion XB
  By Harvey Kahn - May 7 - 5:56 am

  This car is a little gem. It is very large on the inside and with the back seats folded down will hold very large items, such as a bookcase etc. The visibility is the best I believe of any car made today. In spite of its small engine it is very peppy and easily keeps up with the traffic. In short it is a wonderful car.

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  urban runabout - 2004 Scion XB
  By headcheese - May 6 - 10:00 am

  The other reviews say it all. Decent performance, good handling, huge interior. Only quibbles are lack of cruise control and no door stops... when you park on a hill, you have to hold the door to keep it from closing on your legs. Every other car in the world has a point in the arc of the door where it stops to prevent this from happening. Perhaps not so important in Kansas, but very irritating in San Francisco.

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  Great small car - 2008 Scion XD
  By rob4668 - May 6 - 1:33 am

  I bought the manual transmission which took some getting used too. The clutch has a low contact point so it was easy to kill the engine on start. Shifting is a bit stiff also. Otherwise the car is very solid feeling and drives like a sports car. With seats down in back I can carry same amount as our Subaru Forester-quite a lot.

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  Love my Scion xB! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Meg - May 5 - 12:33 am

  The Scion xB was a perfect car to follow my minivan, smaller but still with lots of space! It has versitility with its interior configurations, it has LOTS of ways to customize it, it can be spiffed up well. We have found it to be an incredible car in the snow and ice, it goes just about anywhere. It is tiny as all get- out outside and can park in small spots, yet it has an amazing amount of space inside, especially in the backseat and headroom. We get pretty good mileage, certainly better than most other cars, about 28 mpg - 36 mpg depending on the drive. Its pickup is understandably not like a V8, but it holds its own. It handles well, has a good braking system and is comfortable on long or short trips.

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  2006 Scion tC - 2006 Scion TC
  By LT - May 4 - 6:43 am

  I researched several cars prior to getting a 2006 Scion tC. I test drove a 2006 Mustang and found the seats to still be uncomfortable, although an improvement over my 1997 model. I also test drove a 2006 Acura RSX and found that the tC handled better, is quieter, more comfortable to sit in, and cost several thousand less than a comparably equipped model. My only reservation about buying a tC was the age group Toyota targeted - Im old enough to be their father! I bought the tC anyway. Its the Special Edition 2, and it turns heads. The only thing I added is tinted windows. Its fun to drive, hugs the road, handles better on wet roads than my old Mustang did, and I have fewer stops at the gas station.