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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  My Oil Burner, w/ no warrentee - 2008 Scion XB
  By Oil burner,not warr. - August 17 - 7:30 am

  We purchased a new efficient car 6/2008 when gas prices spiked to $4 per gallon. Well I thought I was making a good decision, but instead our car has had a constant spongy brake pedal, blown transmission at 22000, which was fixed under warranty. The brakes still are spongy and car does not stop well in snow! But this is the kicker My car burns 2.5 quarts of oil every 5000 miles! Toyotas engineers says "There standards are 1 liter of oil burn per 5000 miles is acceptable" The dealer and Corp. Toyota say they WILL NOT put an engine in! So the reallity is Im paying $400 per mth + insurance for something we dont drive. I will NEVER buy a Toyota Again!!!

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  Has to be a Best Buy in Small Cars - 2006 Scion xA
  By Matthew - August 16 - 5:00 pm

  My wife and I just purchased a new 06 Scion xA in Silver. This is a great little car for the money. The car comes with many more standard features than its competitors including ABS, Automatic, a great stereo, lots of leg room, etc.. This car also gets great gas mileage...38MPG! Heres the only problem with Scion. Their website makes it seem like you can build it online, and just pop into a local dealer and within about a week, you get your car the way you want it. Well it doesnt work like that. These cars are so hard to find, that you basically have to take whatever is on the lot. Also, why doesnt the xA comes with a remote door unlock thing?

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  My baby - 2008 Scion TC
  By Misshapp - August 16 - 2:46 am

  I love my car. It is fun to drive, great gas mileage and a real head turner. I am an empty nester and this car reminds me of all the fun I used to have driving. I am always up for a road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  B"s Tc - 2005 Scion TC
  By Brian - August 15 - 12:03 pm

  Ive only had my Car for a month, but it beats my previous car which was a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Its more fun to drive and faster . Dont get me wrong, I loved my Eclipse, but this car just feels different. I feel safer, its quieter, has more features, and was cheaper. All around a great car.

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  Best Buy for the Buck! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Cuppett - August 15 - 1:30 am

  The purchase of our xA was for an extra vehicle for our use. It has proved to be a great purchase. Very reliable, great fuel economy, sufficient power, and much more fluff and safety options than comparable U.S. models. You cant go wrong with a Toyota product. Our love for the xA pushed our aging parents to buy an xB to replace their minivan. Although they lost space, they too are very please with the performance and handling of their xB. You simply cant get more bang for your buck!

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  Great Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By vmay - August 12 - 10:30 pm

  Best small car I have ever had. It is fun to drive, has great gas mileage. It is different looking and everyone who sees it just loves the color and how it looks.

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  Best Car Ever - 2006 Scion XB
  By forkdora13 - August 12 - 2:41 pm

  I absolutely loved this car. I bought it used and had it for a little over a year. I couldnt design a better car. Its small size and abundance of windows made it easy to parallel park. It was fun to drive - I never had a problem accidentally speeding on the highway or passing other cars. I could fit an amazing amount of stuff in the trunk (with seats down, of course). When youre sitting in the backseat there is an amazing amount of head and leg room. The wind didnt blow it around on the highway like it did my Geo Tracker (i was worried about this when buying another boxy car). Love it so much I am looking to buy another one right now!

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  I Love My xA. - 2006 Scion xA
  By John - August 12 - 12:03 pm

  This is the first car ive ever bought. Its fun, it does what I need, and its a good start if youre going to upgrade your ride.

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  You Cant Do Better for the Money - 2005 Scion TC
  By Swamprat - August 12 - 4:26 am

  I purchased my tC after doing a lot of reasearch. After 6,500 miles I can honestly say that this car has style, power, and features of cars that cost much more, while still getting 26 mph average fuel economy. There is no other car in its class!

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  I Love my XB - 2006 Scion XB
  By barb - August 8 - 9:33 am

  I love my Scion xB. Not only does it perform well and look great, but it does all the things I need it to. We camp a lot and all our gear fits in it and takes us up the mountains with no problems. Its a great little car with a big attitude. Its the best buy Ive ever made. I would buy another one! I wish Scion would come out with a little truck...my husband would love that! It really is the best car Ive ever bought and I love the way people look at it and come up to me in parking lots to ask about it and put their windows down at traffic lights to ask about it...its great!