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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Faster than a Supra! - 2005 Scion TC
  By hachiroku - November 18 - 3:16 pm

  I have an 05 tC and an 88 Supra. R&T tested both cars in the year they were produced, the tC was 7.8 to 60, the Supra 7.9. The car handles like its on rails, the stock tires are very good. The build quality is very good, but there is a rattle in the dash when its cold (surprise...). Driveability is extremely good. Except for being a little taller and being FWD this car is as much a blast as my 85 Corolla GTS was. The stock sound system is good, better speakers like Quarts make it excellent.

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  xB nice style, poor quality - 2005 Scion XB
  By onaircreative - November 16 - 3:06 am

  This is no Toyota. The Scion xB is a cool looking car, with good fuel consumption, but it ends there. It has no pickup! Dont try to get on the highway with the air conditioning on. My trunk latch came off when I was only trying to open it. I mean - it came off in my hand. Now the car wont lock. I have less than 14,000 miles and now I am stuck paying the bill on a manufacturing defect. Scion can refuse any repairs based on nothing other than their word. This car seems to be constructed entirely of plastic - CHEAP PLASTIC. Granted, it is roomy and cool looking, but looks can be deceiving. Its ride is too bumpy as well.

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  My Scion - 2006 Scion XB
  By Brenda Pappas - November 14 - 10:33 am

  Bought it because of the Toyota name, the cargo space, gas mileage around town and the "green" engine. Price and warranty were great. It has performed well, has great pick up and drives and parks easily. I can haul my dogs or my gardening equipment and plants in it easily. Only two complaints... change the location of the cup holder and try to smooth out the ride some.

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  Outdoors man - 2008 Scion XB
  By outdor guy - November 14 - 2:46 am

  A very fine car. I pull a small boat and still get 29 mpg on the highway. A fun to drive car. Room for all my gear and then some. A very good car for the times. The mpg I get on this car is 39 highway 34 all around. Fog lights are a must have item. The sound system is very good and the air is great.

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  We did our homework - 2008 Scion XD
  By lowell hartig - November 12 - 3:56 pm

  Price, peppy engine, driver position and visibility, (for my wife - standard ABS), and a now proven, incredible fuel economy for our worst possible scenario, 2-mile average commute. One suddenly stormy Christmas shopping night with our kids, my son-in-laws full-sized pick-up bed, thought necessary for this excursion, was pushed aside with everything fitting into the easy access xD.

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  Wow - 2004 Scion xA
  By jarvek7 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car and fun to drive. Fell in love with the model the "Yaris" in europe in 2000. great mileage and a fun fun ride. still getting looks when I drive by.

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  2012 Scion xB Review - 2012 Scion XB
  By maxxtruck9906 - November 8 - 6:22 pm

  This car is great! It has the 2.4L 4 cylinder, and a 4 speed transmission. After 5 months of owning this car I can say 2 things about it, 1.) It is near indestructible, and 2.) You can fit almost anything in it. I highly recommend this car. It is great for work, play, and family! I got it when it had 14,xxx miles, and it now has 24,xxx miles.

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  Love This Car - 2007 Scion TC
  By Mark - November 7 - 12:16 am

  Ive had this car for a month now and all I can say is I love it. The iPod hookup is a great feature and I love how mean the fog lamps make it look. The handling is simply amazing, and its pretty quick for the money though I am planning on throwing a turbo in it. Im not too impressed with the gas mileage, but that could just be because I was driving a 98 Corolla with a 1.8 liter before this.

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  Super Car - 2008 Scion XB
  By louiswilde - November 6 - 6:36 am

  I average 27 mpg city or highway. Good car and the most reliable of any I have owned.

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  Solid car - 2008 Scion XB
  By Mateo - November 5 - 8:03 am

  I have owned a dark blue xB for 10 days. I really love it. Before this purchase, also looked at Toyota Matrix, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chevy HHR . Scion xB is the best among this group of small wagons. I initially targeted a Matrix, but its engine is so loud even at the idling speed and its building quality (including paint) is one tier below the xB. The xB has way many satefy features and sensors than all the other cars.