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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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

• 

  I love this Car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By sasan - February 16 - 4:06 pm

  This car has the highest value per $ in my perpective. Standard options include 4-wheel ABS, Dual Front airbags, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, I get at least 30-35 mpg in highway! check out scion.com

• 

  scion XB rocks! - 2005 Scion XB
  By claybabe - February 16 - 10:00 am

  im a new owner still in the flush of new love. its a comfortable roomy car with room for much stuff. im a ceramic artist so that is important. i have yet to take it on a long trip, so get back to me. its really affordable with a non-negotiating price which made for a fun relaxing car buying experience.

• 

  Its Fun - 2006 Scion XB
  By vic m. - February 15 - 9:36 pm

  I love the box. It has so much room and how youre seated provides a great view of the road. Its leg room is excellent, even in the back seat. I have a son whos 350 lbs. + and 63" and he loves the room. It has a great stereo. It feels good on the road, it is as much fun to drive as my first Bug that I got back in 1973. So many people want to sit in it and drive it, Toyota should be paying me. A work associate who is almost six feet nine inches tall said it was the first vehicle he ever got in in his life he did not have to duck to get into. And the 33 mpg is great.

• 

  The little Box that could - 2006 Scion XB
  By Rodek - February 13 - 4:16 pm

  My Scion xB Auto has so far impressed me. I have a wife and 2 3/4 year olds so it fits our family perfectly. Our first road trip of 700 miles went well. The xB drove beautifully. It does lack the grunt to climb big hills and the door panels and other interior parts scuff very easily. I can live with that because the ride is nice and tight and the little box gets great MPG. The cernter mount speedo/tach is nice. I thought it would be difficult to get used to since it first appears a little quirky. This was not the case. Its very easy to read and keep your eyes on the road. The seats are comfortable for the longer legs of a journey and the engine is smooth/quiet at around 70-72 MPH.

• 

  Almost Perfect - 2008 Scion XB
  By Ed - February 13 - 12:13 pm

  For the money, this car is almost perfect. Lots of interior room, good but not great performance and improved styling. Fuel mileage could be better; with a 14 gallon tank, the cruising range is less than most competitors. The handling is very responsive including stability/traction control systems.

• 

  Fantastic Little Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Paul - February 13 - 12:56 am

  This car turns heads. I think it was the looks I first noticed. Before I even considered a car in this class, I liked the look of it. I like distinctive cars. Then I drove it, and was sold. This thing is huge amounts of fun to drive. In fact, its huge in a few ways. Huge fun to drive. Huge room inside. Huge potential for making it *mine*. Huge attitude! And small in others. Small small fuel consumption. Small price tag. Small on the road. Economical? Fun? Cheap? Eye catching? There is very little to not like.

• 

  and I call myself a Redneck - 2005 Scion XB
  By Don - February 12 - 7:06 pm

  I love it, miles per tank is awesome and i love the attention that I get from it. everyone from 80 to 8 seams to love to stare at it while I get gas once a month or while I drive it. being part of a club centered around the scions has made me love of the car even more. way to go Toyota!

• 

  Peppy little Box - 2009 Scion XB
  By Smitty - February 12 - 12:36 am

  I bought my 2009 xB used with 5k miles on it. The guy before me had put $5k in features like wheels, spoiler, upgraded stereo and he even put light up door sill strips on it. I am completely satisfied with the features, price and reliability. This is probably the best investment I have ever made aside from buying a house. I recommend this vehicle to everybody even people taller than 6ft. I am 61" and 220 lbs and I feel like I am driving a school bus.

• 

  PUG-nacious - 2009 Scion XD
  By jowlyjawlessone - February 7 - 6:46 pm

  Some say "bulldog". I say "pug". Some say "entry level". I say "downsizer". Nimble "runabout", says Consumer Reports. "Most reliable in class" got my attention. Scion for the kids? If we already have experience and established identity and we forget the extras (really unnecessary with such a complete list of standard features) the xD has real value. Throw in Toyota quality. Dependable point A to B with a good dose of personality. For me it was dump a clunker, a great, old gas sucking Pathfinder SE. Im glad I found the xD. This little "pug" is going to do me well for a graceful, long-term, downsizing glide. And with luck a smooth landing. As is said, "May you live in interesting times."

• 

  Better Than Expected - 2007 Scion TC
  By Drifter123 - February 7 - 9:43 am

  This is the best car out there for such a low price. Its fun to drive. It accelerates very quickly. Its reliability is questionable though. The engine should last a long time because its a Toyota Camry engine. The body seems a little too plastic. Overall, its a great valued car. I recommend it to anyone on a tight budget or who likes to tune cars.