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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Great car - 2010 Scion XB
  By kevininstl - January 11 - 6:25 pm

  I purchased my 2010 xB in August of 2009. Since then, Ive put almost 35,000 miles on it. This includes a daily commute of 30+ miles each way. Also longer trips of 250 miles and one of about 1,000 miles. Everything has been just as I thought it would be and thats a good thing. I avg about 27 MPG and can get over 30 in the right conditions. The car is comfy and has all of the reasonable things standard. The cargo space is very good for a car its size. Its much larger on the inside than it looks on the outside. Best of all is its reliability. Im this far in and the only time I took it to the dealer it turned out the burning smell was from a plastic bag caught on the muffler. :)

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  Scion tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By jag85 - January 9 - 3:13 am

  I bought this car a year into college. I have always been a big fan of Toyotas, and the Scion brand offered many options standard for a reasonable price. There probably isnt a better overall car you can buy for 17k brand new in the U.S. Since its a big 4 cylinder 2.4 liters, I would expect a bit more horsepower, at least 175-180. Overall its a great car, fuel efficient, very reliable, unique styling, Lexus like interior, fairly priced. This is definitely a great car to give to your high school grad.

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  I like it. - 2005 Scion xA
  By Scott Schmidtke - January 9 - 1:26 am

  Im not in the target group (Im over 40). And Im not a small person. However, I found the Scion xA roomy and fun. Its mileage is better than advertised. The sound system is great.

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  i love this car - 2006 Scion TC
  By khendrix - January 6 - 1:23 am

  I absolutely LOVE this car! I am having to sell mine because my husband and I have another baby on the way and having a 2 door isnt practical. When I was buying a car it was between the acura two door car and the scion. The scion tC won because it is so roomy even for such a little car. The interior looks amazing and it is so easy to clean. It has great pick up and it is so much fun to drive. Even my 52 year old dad loves to drive this car. Awesome little car!

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  Good for the price - 2005 Scion XB
  By hotrod9 - January 4 - 3:53 pm

  The 2005 Scion xB is easy and fun to drive in traffic and very responsive. It is very easy to park in tight places. It does lack in power on the freeways and the gas mileage drops off at higher speeds, but I am still able to maintain 26 mpg or better at 75 mph. I get over 30 mpg at slower speeds. The ride is stiff and uncomfortable for long hauls. This car is very good in cities and short drives. The front bumper is only 5" off the ground so watch those curb blocks.

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  Gas-O-holic - 2008 Scion XD
  By pH - January 1 - 2:56 am

  We chose the Scion xD for the obvious reasons, gas mileage and bang for the buck. The car has an ugly dog sort of cuteness to it. Our initial impression is that it is a great little car. You definitely get what they advertise. If you want a Lexus level of performance, quiet and ride quality, dont buy this car. If you want an inexpensive, feature heavy car, this is the one you want! The "Pure Price" concept makes buying cars a snap. No pressure, no negotiating - what you see is what you get.