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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Goodness Me - 2006 Scion xA
  By Brian Bratcher - December 20 - 5:20 am

  I love everything about this vehicle: the awesome interior to the stylish exterior (or as the ladies say, "cute" :) ). Not much get-up-and-go, but for $13,000 no one expects that. It is a lot of fun to drive, though.

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  Gotta Love the Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By trek777 - December 18 - 10:03 am

  I find the Scion xB to be quite roomy. I was going to buy an xA untill I drove the xB and I wanted the extra room that the xB provides. It handles great, its fun to drive and it begs to be customized. I spent over three months researching and agonizing on what car to buy before I came to this decision and I feel you cant go wrong with an xB. It has everything I could ask for: reasonable fuel economy, seating for five, and cargo space when I need it.

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  Best Car Yet - 2005 Scion TC
  By zhanje - December 16 - 1:15 pm

  This is by far the best car Ive owned yet. Quality, interior room (surprisingly, back seats are very spacious), performance, style and appearance are all top-notch. I had 130K without a single issue (besides rear-brake replacement), and its unfortunate were switching it out for a more family-friendly vehicle. Great car!

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  Well built, well equipped - 2008 Scion TC
  By ScionTc59 - December 15 - 11:10 pm

  I compared similar models in the tCs price range (Mazda3, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra) and found this to be the best bang for the buck, very well equipped, and lots of room for modifications. Very smooth and quiet ride, could be a bit roomier as I am tall (64") but I fit ok. Looks great and overall fit and finish are excellent! Would highly recommend!

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  New xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By SMusick - December 13 - 8:06 pm

  I had researched the Scion line, and was already impressed by the features for the money. I had originally intended to buy an xA. A quick drive in the xB and I knew that was the Scion to own. As a previous Toyota owner I was already sold on quality and reliability. My xB is amazingly fun to drive.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Scion XB
  By LARRY - December 11 - 3:33 am

  I couldnt be happier in my Scion xB. This car rides better than my 2004 Toyota RAV4. It is fun to drive and I am getting about 31 mpg around town. Its seats give great support and the interior cabin noise is almost nothing. The style of the vehicle takes time to grow on you since it is so radical but really love the looks now.

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  Its a Great Box - 2005 Scion XB
  By Sion Girl - December 9 - 1:06 pm

  Yes, people may laugh at the way she looks. People may call her names and point fingers. In order to truely love her you must look to the inside and what she has to offer. Know that the moment you set behind her wheel she is there to comfort you and give you a ride like no other. The feeling you get when you are inside is that of a luxury combined with a sporty vibe. So, drive on; drive into the sunset.

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  This Car is the Greatest - 2006 Scion XB
  By KATIEJ - December 5 - 3:26 pm

  Ohh this car is great! I mean, you really cant get any better. You have the size of a car, the space of an SUV and the looks of a unique car. Its so totaly great! Buy one. Im plan on getting another one when my daughter turns 16 next month. You can also trick them out like crazy! There are so many different styles. We will have fun and im sure you will too!

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  Scionara xB1, Hello xB2 - 2008 Scion XB
  By west scide - December 4 - 11:10 am

  Traded in an 06 3 weeks ago after driving it just 3 months shy of 2 yrs. As much as I enjoyed the 06, I like the 08 a lot more, it is a much better car overall. The 06 was perfect for commuting and trips to local places. I enjoyed driving it as long I was the only passenger but with wife, two kids and occasional third party, the fun goes away especially freeway ride > 30 miles. The 08 has addressed what the 06 lacked: power, safety, cargo behind 2nd row, lack of basic amenities, cup holders, cruise control. However the MPG, cool styling, and fun to drive has decreased on the 08. For me the 2.4L and safety of the 08 was worth the upgrade.

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  Lovin the XB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Toaster Lady - December 4 - 7:00 am

  I purchased this car for my teenagers as a economical, and safe second vehicle for our family. They have yet to get the opportunity to drive the car. I just fell in love with every aspect of this car. It out performed all of my expectations in drivability, fuel economy, and interior comfort. It doesnt look like much, but it was worth every penny. I told the kids we would have to get another one for them, because I was not willing to turn over the keys. Also, since I purchased this vehicles in Oct of 2004 I have not experienced any mechanical, or cosmetic problems with this car. If youre looking for fun economy, then get this car you wont regret it. Toaster Lady, Az