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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

• 

  FUN AND CAN HANDLE - 2005 Scion XB
  By KAMIKAZE - September 23 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS FUN, BUT LACKS SPEED

• 

  First in Wa. State for the 08 xb! - 2008 Scion XB
  By tommyboy69 - September 15 - 9:03 am

  After a lot of research, I found that most cars simply do not accommodate tall guys like me. This one is S-W-E-E-T! I am absolutely thrilled with the vehicle. Utterly dependable, Highly "customizeable"(new word for me there... lol). Mileage could be better, as this year has the aging Camry 2.4L. I am averaging about 34 mpg, with mixed cargo and passengers. This is the fourth Toyota I have bought, from the 76 Corolla, to my convertible 81 Corolla SR5 w/the 3tc. Kicking myself for ever selling that one, but the Scion more than soothes those old wounds. Summary: great head room, decent mileage, and always great to be the first on the block with a toy. Two BIG thumbs up!

• 

  tC totally Cool!!!! - 2005 Scion TC
  By justme - September 13 - 5:03 pm

  All i can say is WOW do you get a lot for your money!!!!!! even if you dont get all the bells and whistle which are nice but even if you dont want to of cant afford them, the base stripped down model is anything but stripped down...

• 

  Great Car! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Eleni - September 13 - 12:26 pm

  I have had this car for a couple months and I love it! This is my first coupe and I was a little hesitant but I am am glad I went with the scion. It has tons of space.

• 

  fun to drive in city - 2004 Scion xA
  By syedwh - September 4 - 10:00 am

  It is realy fun to drive in the city. You feel comfort in it. First time I took my X-A from Orange County to Ventura county ( Simi Valley ) about 70 Miles one way I found ride on freeways it is not as comfotable as in city you feel even small bumps or uneven roads on the freeways. Also suddenly brake at the speed of abve 60 mph can shfit the car left or right hand. Must be carefull. Have fun and ejoy it.

• 

  great car for the price - 2007 Scion TC
  By twingo - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I used to drive 90 miles round trip for work and got 32 mpg. now I do more city driving and get about 25 mpg. With 92K on the odometer it still has lots of power and quiet engine. It is great car on smooth roads but kinda choppy on bumpy ones. Plenty of leg room even in the back seat but head room is tight in back. Fun to drive and sound system is great. Good car for price.

• 

  I know 4 People who have this same issue - 2010 Scion TC
  By tanya1977 - August 7 - 10:22 pm

  I love my car . My husband has a 2006 my friend has a 2007 and another friend has a 2008. I was backing up and this loud squeeking sound came from my car, my husband was with me and said his car does the same thing, I had my breaks checked and the pads are fine . I was leaving work one day and it happened again and a co worker who owns a tc came out to stop me and said her car does the same thing, Where I live is an aparment complex and I could not beleive it a girl that drives a tc was backing up and her car did the same thing I stopped her and she said it started out of the blue , This only happens when you back it up . This should be looked into i think it is a manufacture issue

• 

  Love to Drive - 2006 Scion TC
  By needspeed - July 22 - 8:13 am

  I recently purchased the Scion tC. I would give the handling and performance two thumbs up. I have had a lot of fun so far driving it and would recommend the car to others.

• 

  Great for Young Drivers - 2005 Scion TC
  By Jessica - July 15 - 5:33 am

  The 2005 Scion tC is a great car. I love mine. I recently upgraded from a 1997 Honda Civic to my tC and I was amazed by the difference in power, looks, and the overall way that it drives. Honda cant touch what this car has to offer as far as price, power, and options. The gas milage well...its not that of my old Honda. I have no problem giving that up for the performance. Its an all around great car. The insurance is cheaper on it than it was on my Civic. The two things that I wish the car had are daytime running lamps and a bigger trunk, but besides that I have no complaints. This is a great car for young buyers like myself. It has the relablity of Toyota and the perforamce and style to impress young buyers at a great price.

• 

  Over 100K Miles on My 2005 xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Over 100K Miles - July 9 - 6:33 pm

  I am very happy with my 2005 xB and would buy another. There have been no problems in over 100,000 miles. I hope the next 100k miles are as good.