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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Love the Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By Karen L Walter - December 31 - 9:20 pm

  I love my X box. It really does get 30 mpg in town. It is fun to be seen in, and also fun to drive. My dog loves it and actually we bought it for him, and to go camping. Buy the cargo mat for your dog. I am not 20 something but I do appreciate good value for my buck. Buy something different.

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  No One Knew - 2004 Scion XB
  By SCION - December 30 - 3:06 pm

  Whwn we bought our Scion xB in 2003, most people had not even heard of a Scion. We took a trip cross country in our "Little Baby Boots," we had the best drive. It is great on gas and confort, and easy for my handicaped wife to get in and out of. We could not have asked for any better car. The funny thing was, the further East we got the less people knew what a Scion was, even a Highway Patrol officer pulled us over to ask what it was, so not only did we have a great ride, we had a lot of fun.

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  It is a Very Good Deal - 2005 Scion xA
  By JS - December 30 - 6:03 am

  This is an excellent economy car. Has good mileage and handles well. It has decent accelaration and a cool sound system. It is a great commuter car, especially in California where gas is $2+ a gallon. Its great forfor stop and go traffic. Where can you find a car for $13,000 that gives you ABS, AC, power windows, and doors. It has a Pioneer stereo system with 160w speakers. The Scion Xa has it all! Did I mention a Toyota VVTI engine and RELIABILITY!!

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  The Firster - 2005 Scion XB
  By Edward - December 29 - 6:16 pm

  The cup holders in my Scion xB are in a bad location. They are on the floor. The gas mileage has been good at around 30 mpg this past month. It also handles really well. I like how it can get into a tight parking place with ease. I am 6 ft. 7 in. tall and have no problem geting in to it. It has lots of head room and good leg room. You have more leg room in the back than in the front.

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  Best Buy Under $20,000 - 2004 Scion XB
  By paulpalmsprings - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I have 1000 miles on the car. 31 MPG average. Very quiet for a small vehicle. For its size, it holds a lot of stuff. Mountain bikes, telescopes, friends. This is one fun car to drive and own. I looked at minivans. Looked at trucks....Boring! xB is the answer to a boring car world.

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  Its ok. - 2009 Scion XD
  By Communter! - December 27 - 9:06 pm

  I really like all of the XDs features. The IPOD connection, steering wheel controls, and mpg calculator. I love the styling of the car. The downsides: I seem to be too tall for the car. I am 59, and my knees touch the bottom of the steering column. I try to get comfortable since I am driving 200 miles each day...but I just cant. I installed an aftermarket armrest...but its just not the same. The seats are not as comfortable as you would like, and they force you to sit up, and do not hug you like many cars.

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  2008 Scion xB 5-speed - 2008 Scion XB
  By nots4u2001 - December 27 - 12:33 pm

  The car has really good suspension, I normally drive the mountain rode everyday and handles really well. The car is a really great car for the price as well the reliability of Toyota. I thought the car would lack power but I found myself beating everyone off the line.

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  Lovin my XB - 2009 Scion XB
  By shelster - December 27 - 10:36 am

  My XB is comfortable to drive. I love the easy access getting in. I love the roominess. It feels like your in a larger SUV. Its easy to park, turn and it looks great. I had it lowered. I get compliments on it daily.

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  Too Cheap! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Bob - December 25 - 3:56 pm

  I wanted Toyota quality, what I got was Toyota cheap! This car has too much plastic (for example, its all along the sides below the door and quarter panels), too much emphasis on youth chic and not enough hallmark Toyota quality. No wonder they invented a new brand. The radio pops whenever you turn it on after a short delay because of poor integration of the factory amplifier option. This occurs on every Scion with a factory installed amp. When I first got it, the radio popped every time I changed stations! It also has cheap sheet metal that pops from the slightest pressure. I thought I was going to dent the hood, hatchback and doors a couple of times when I first waxed it. The whole roof is glass. On the plus side it is fun to drive.

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  Kermies Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Kathleen - December 24 - 10:10 am

  My Scion xB handles well and is not affected by the wind, which is surprising in a car shaped like a box. I am getting 32 mpg city/highway combined. It is easy to drive and its seats are very comfortable and back supportive. My sons are all 6 feet tall or taller and they can sit in the back seat with ample leg room. This car is fun to drive. I have the Special Edition which is Kermit green so I get lots of looks, double takes, and waves from other xB drivers. I also get a lot of "what kind of car is that anyway?" It has plenty of cargo room, we hauled two weeks worth of supplies, two adults, and a dog to the cottage we rent every summer. It is a decent car for well under $20,000.