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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  True Sport Wagon - 2005 Scion XB
  By Ed Sherman - March 24 - 1:26 pm

  This the second mini for us, the first was a 1963 Austin Mini. It is the only car we found that we could get in and out of without hurting our backs. It handles like the sports wagon it is. With a cold air intake system installed it performs much better and the mileage appears to be better than advertized. A Hotchkiss stabilizer bar made cornering even better and a better sense of stability. We immediately added Alloy wheels and find them a welcome addition, the brakes and lights are exceptional. We belong to the Sr. age and find others our age realizing the benefits of the way it is designed, needless to say we are looking forward to great experiances with this our own utility sports car

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  Okay Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By HeatB - March 24 - 12:50 pm

  This is a fun car to drive. It is a real attention getter. I have not had any mechanical problems, now at 36,500 miles. It still runs great. It has a good ride, but it is not so comfortable on long trips. I drove from Alabama to Orlando and on to North Carolina. There is not nearly enough room for people and luggage. My number one gripe is the lack of a center arm rest! The center mounted speedometer and gauges took some getting used to. I have to readjust when driving husbands truck.

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  Update of "Gotta luv the Box" - 2006 Scion XB
  By cogerwd - March 24 - 2:56 am

  Have 1,000 miles on my Scion xB now and I am still very happy. I took it fully loaded (4 adults, wedding gifts and clothes) into the mountains of Asheville, NC. It strained a little on the biggest hill but ran great. I still averaged almost 35 mpg! I had kayak racks installed and it did increase the noise some, but that was the same with my Explorer. I enjoy the sound system more each time I hear it and the 5-speed transmission is just plain fun though 1st gear is a quick shift thru to second. Everyone who has ridden in this car loved it, including me. (g)

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  Scion XB a real head turner - 2004 Scion XB
  By bvisibl2 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Well so far in three weeks of owning it, I have had more fun attracting the stares, especially in Key West, where it was a real attention gettter. Fun to drive, comfortable, roomy, great gas mileage, and not a expensive vehicle to insure, all with Toyota quality. The only fret I have is to be paying for it for five years =-). But Love it!!!

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  Solid car for the money. - 2005 Scion TC
  By JAG - March 21 - 3:10 pm

  I have been driving my Scion tC for almost a year now and I really enjoy this vehicle. It looks great and had all the features I was looking for such as power everything, decent gas mileage, sun roof, air conditioning, and disc changer. I bought it with 57,000 miles on it and it still drives like a brand new car. I am hoping to get as many miles out of my current tC as possible and would definitely purchase another one in the future.

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  This box is HUGH. - 2010 Scion XB
  By Joey B - March 20 - 10:10 pm

  This scion xb is alot bigger on the inside than people think. I love that box, but a few thoughts of mine. The reverse light can be a safty issue. The seats need to have pockets in the back of them. It needs a 5 or 6 speed transmission on the next model. Well thats all for now enjoy your new ride.

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  The Best - 2005 Scion TC
  By Rick - March 20 - 1:53 pm

  I love this car, compared to the civic, rsx, ion, and the cobalt it blows all of them out of the water.

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  I love my TC - 2005 Scion TC
  By Aja - March 17 - 2:56 am

  I love my TC, it has a great style inside and out at an amazing price.

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  Excellent! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Iris - March 13 - 9:36 pm

  I love this car, Ive had Toyotas in the past, this car exceeds them all, fun to drive, great looking small car, comfortable interior, great gas mileage. Would recomend it to anyone!

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  2005 Scion Tc 5 Speed - 2005 Scion TC
  By Scottg - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Amazing car when you consider the price. Its pretty quick, has a very solid ride, handles good, and looks good. I just have a couple of complaints about minor details. The leather shift boot tore the 1st day I had the car, the radio cover is hard to open, roof rattles, and now something is squeaking. Dealer fixed shift boot, said radio cover is supposed to be like that and couldnt find source of roof rattle.