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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  The tC is da bomb! - 2005 Scion TC
  By GumboMan - May 4 - 4:40 am

  This is one solid, sporty little head- turner! I cant count the favorable comments Ive gotten on it - even from strangers. My main gripe is, Im only 58" tall and I whack my head on the edge of the roof nearly every time I get in it. Of course, if it were an inch higher, the looks probably wouldnt be as sporty. And theres no place for maps, other than on the seats or in the optional $125 nylon carrier. The seats extra firm and grips a bit too much, making long hauls a tad uncomfortable. I wish they were wider, and leather. The minuses are minor when compared with the quality and many little extra features you get for very little money. I LOVE IT!

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  Great for the price, but..... - 2005 Scion TC
  By Sakio - May 3 - 5:30 am

  I will say at the start, this is a great looking and fun to drive car. With some dealer installed options (Aero kit, performance exhaust, foglights) it looks like $30K instead of $20K. That being said, I have only put 2000 miles on the car and there are some troubles. 1. My hatchback struts failed and it took three weeks just to get the part. 2. The drivers seat upholstery seems to be coming off the seams at the area of the back release. 3. Theres a piece of something that came off that rattles in the rear area that nobody seems to be able to pin-point. 4. Paint is way too easy to scratch (maybe in the lighter shades its not a problem, mines black).

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  My Mid-life Crisis Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Mary - May 2 - 8:43 am

  Ive owned a lot of different types of cars through the years from fancy German sport sedans to American classics. The xB is one vehicle in which the sum is greater than the parts. No its not as powerful as some or as posh as other cars but it is fun, fun, fun. Plus other xB owners waive at each other on the road. [Cant say the same for BMW owners.] My dogs like to travel in it, I can haul loads of stuff, the standard stereo is great and I cant help but smile every time I see it. Anyone who drives one will become a believer. Only cons: miss a cruise control and outside temperature display. [Hey, my last 5 vehicles had it.] And the cloth seats hold dog hair a little too well.

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  My First New Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Candi - May 1 - 2:46 pm

  I never really went in thinking I would get this car. After I test drove it, I fell in love. Its a nice smooth ride, a nice spacious interior, and what more could you get out of "the box" other than the features that come standard?! The sound is nice, I can use my iPod without having to buy extra connectors, and theres so much room in there I dont know how to use it! My next thing will be taking a road trip with it.

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  Incredible sporty wagon! - 2014 Scion XB
  By jayjay22 - May 1 - 5:25 am

  Honda was silly and discontinued the Element, and the low mileage used ones with 20k miles or more are the same price as a new XB! So, I test drove one, and fell in love with the sporty feel and good handling. It has tons of room, and still has good space for my two big dogs with a seat cover in the back. This car is all Japanese, has the same reliable engine as the former Toyota Camry . I actually think this car is better built than my Honda was. This car is awesome, great value for the money, and Im getting 27-28 MPG! Its like a little sports car, but in wagon form!

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  never have I loved like this - 2005 Scion xA
  By olygrrl - May 1 - 3:13 am

  Love this car! stylish, fun to drive, great fuel numbers and frankly the best car that I have ever owned. I drove many small and mid sized cars in my 2 year search and fell in love just sitting in this car. Then I drove it and was hooked. Looked for almost a year for right car at right price and am so happy that I finally found her. I will never drive another. This is it for me. WOW!

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE MY SCION!!!!! - 2010 Scion XB
  By Nicole L. - April 26 - 3:40 pm

  Seeing is believing. I looked at this car to start and thought no way! Once I sat inside I was sold! There is so much head room, the truck looks small but I could fit so much in there! I sat in the back seat I had way more leg room than mys husbands trailblazer! Its amazing!

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  Id do it all over - 2005 Scion XB
  By D - April 25 - 8:36 pm

  Im in LOVE. The xB is the finest car Ive ever owned, AND the most economical. What can I say about the room, phenominal. Overall, an awesome driving experience.

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  Potentially a good car...but not. - 2008 Scion XB
  By troytali - April 24 - 2:43 pm

  Having grown up on pocket rockets like the GTi, Honda Prelude Si, Civic Si, Mazdas, etc., the Scion xB was a bit more practical extension of that. I only wish Scion would make it with some performance. We know they use the same engine in the tC, so its a mystery why they castrate the xB so deliberately. Put an engine with actual power below 4k rpm, close ratio 5 or 6 speed manual and auto choices, GOOD sound system, less body roll, NO MORE center gauges then maybe we have a car worth buying again. Ive had two of these, and auto and the manual. Both have squeaks and rattles in the same places, and from new and almost new. Plasticky interior, peaky power delivery, lazy throttle response? Wow

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  Great Value! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Noisy - April 21 - 10:13 pm

  I bought this car as a replacement for my 2000 Focus ZX3, seeking something sportier, but not completely impractical. The tC came to the fore after some difficulty trying to nail down the local Honda dealer on a price (and availability) on a Civic Si. Both were in the running, but after a bit of time at the Scion/Toyota dealer, the quality of the tC and the great buying experience at the Scion dealership made it a no-brainer. Toyota quality/reliability (and the accompanying resale value) is gravy. This car is a tremendous value if you can restrain yourself at the options checklist, with power windows, locks, remote entry, great audio and Gods own sunroof as standard make it a tough car to overlook.