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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  "Think TWICE" - 2009 Scion TC
  By *LiLLiSSa* - October 13 - 5:23 pm

  First of off, this car is one of the best looking car out there. Driving experience, the shifter is kind of high and the armrest usually hits my elbow;shifting, "biggest complaint". The gauges could been a little bigger. The suspension is horrible! Other than that it is a pretty smooth and quiet car, plenty of torque. I would think that Toyota could have done more with the 09 model. Basically if you really want experience your tC, you would defenitely need TRD upgrades. The tc is really not up there with the civic SI or cobalt SS. Just because it is a coupe doesnt mean it is a sport car in my opinion. Its an OKAY car but I highly reccomend the Civic SI; Have you sat in an SIs seat? DO IT!!

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  fun, but small - 2004 Scion xA
  By Nihao - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Drive it yourself and you will know what I mean. Good for young couples, but no family. It is designed for narrow roads with lower speed limit in Japan, so do NOT drive it too fast in the US. Always stays at the slow lane for your own safety. The car itself is ok. It is just not powerful and strong enough for the traffic condition here in the States.

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  economical - 2006 Scion XB
  By mona - October 7 - 10:30 pm

  Bought for 1) gas mileage and 2) interior room has been reliable - 2 warranty issues were automatic door locks sticking and dvd player not working. Only complaint is rough ride and road noise. I bought the year "special model" w/ dvd, I-pod package. Great price for reliable car.

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  Nice Little Economy Car for the Money - 2006 Scion xA
  By lanae - September 28 - 10:03 pm

  I traded in my Saturn for this little Scion so I could save on gas for city driving. So far I dont see the excellent fuel savings that I was expecting but, I am assuming it will take some time to break the car in - maybe!?! It is easy to drive. The stick shift is different than the one that is in my Saturn as it was told to me from the sales lady it was a short shifter. It has great steering control. It is nice to have ABS after driving a car for five years without it. The Pioneer stereo system is nice. I feel it will last for a long time. My car has the spoiler and fog lights and I must say that the fog lights help light the road better! I would recommend this car to anyone that has a tight budget that is looking for reliable transportation.

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  I love it - 2005 Scion TC
  By Felicia Dixion - September 15 - 4:30 am

  For the price of the car and the standard features that it comes with, it just seems too good to be true. I would have expected to pay more. I also love the no haggel, no hassel, policy. You shouldnt feel like youve been raped when buying a car.

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  My First Toyota - 2008 Scion XD
  By cormac - September 5 - 5:03 pm

  Bought second hand w/40000 miles. Short wheel base gives bumpy ride on wash-board roads. Should improve shocks and suspension. Had one questionable acceleration under damp/rainy conditions.

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  Bought it 2.5 years ago. - 2007 Scion TC
  By Jonell - September 4 - 3:30 pm

  Wish Id gotten a manual, overall pretty happy with it because of all the extra power windows/locks/sunroof stuff. There seem to be some complaints echoed here that Ive been experiencing. When the tire psi is set to the manual specifications, the tire gauge light turns on; the only way to turn it off is by inflating the tires over manual specifications and I dont want to wear out my tires. Dont over fill your coin holder; a coin dropped into the lid reservoir and now the lid wont open the whole way. Went on a road trip with boyfriend and we were both comfortable. Wish radio were a bit more ipod/mp3 player compatible. As a woman, I like the panic button on the key.

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  Absoultely impressed with my tC! - 2005 Scion TC
  By jsmith - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Mine is Flint Mica (beautiful) & I could not be happier with the car! It has everything I wanted in a new car (except leather) - & most of it is standard equpiment. Unbeatable for the $$! Sun/moon roof is very cool, the cloth seats are sporty & comfortable (not made of that "plush crap" they sometimes use). Center console is really nice to look at and very easy to use. It has great pick up - super sporty look & solid feel. Radio/CD player sounds awesome. This car looks much more expensive than it is (most of my friends guess it cost over $25,000), and right now it gets stares (few out)! Wheels/tires kick butt! Not as luxurious or powerful,

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  Great but - 2006 Scion xA
  By Motokomise - September 2 - 10:30 pm

  Great purchase, fun little car, perfect for urban driving with one major exception: the rear port windows absolutely cause blind spot issues when driving. Its so bad that were not purchasing another Scion or any other small car until we test those next time, and this is a hazardous design flaw that while under the best of situations is annoying, under the worst??

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  Great Room - 2006 Scion xA
  By sportsfan8443 - September 1 - 6:16 pm

  Ive had no trouble with my Scion xA in the year I have had it. I like the way It sits up high like a little SUV. My son is a tall boy and the Scion gives him plenty of head room. He will be taking it to college in a couple of years and I will buy another one, a tC the next time. I love Scions.