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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Onomatopoeia - September 9 - 7:16 am

  I get between 400 and 410 miles on a tank of gas which, I believe, works out to about 33.5 miles per gallon, so Im very happy. Believe it or not my xB carries more than my old SUV ever could. Im still amazed. The boxiness is definitely an asset. Ive read others say the xB has no passing power. My experience is definitely the contrary. I take the NJ Turnpike twice a day, six days a week, and I have no problems passing other vehicles with ease. Im not sure, but perhaps its because I have the manual transmission. Also, I prefer the xB to the Honda Element, which is similar, because the XB doesnt have the Elements A-pillar blind spots. Oh yeah...Great sounding radio!!

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  Scion tc review - 2005 Scion TC
  By erin - September 3 - 1:20 pm

  This car is a nice looking car and fun to drive. For the price you get what you paid for. I have some problems with the body of the car. This car is horrible in the snow.

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  Had Over a Year - Love It - 2005 Scion xA
  By family - August 31 - 9:03 pm

  We bought a Scion xA for my husband before they were even released in our state - had to go to another state to get it. We love it. He travels alot for work and averages 33-35 miles per gallon. We have even taken it on family trips through the mountains - although it was not as comfortable for our two teenagers in back, we did fine. Would love to get one for each family member in different colors.

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  Form Follows Function - 2004 Scion XB
  By perling - August 29 - 9:25 pm

  If you want is a cheap, extremely reliable four door with way more space than youd first notice, this is it. If you want comfort and power, go elsewhere. If you dont expect more than you should from this true Econo-Box, than youll actually find the Xb a joy to own. Its actually fun to drive and does well with its limited HP (tho an automatic with the air on must be a drag). Its extremely roomy inside, and easy to get into for older folks, and itll haul lots of junk. Top that off w/30+ mpg and rock solid reliability and cheap to maintain prices and its perfect for those who like its frugal design nature.

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  Foxy Box - 2005 Scion XB
  By Bonnye Briggs - August 2 - 1:56 am

  This is a fun vehicle to drive with lots of pickup and go. It gets great gas mileage and is super to just pop to school or to the office. This care is a great buy for a well made Toyota vehicle.

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  Interior Can be better..... - 2010 Scion XB
  By Aardvark - July 24 - 9:16 pm

  I bought my 2010 xB in November 2009 and to this day absolutely love it! It drives and handles like a small BMW, and looks sharp to boot.

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  Great new car - 2009 Scion XB
  By malbertsen1 - July 20 - 12:03 pm

  Just had the car for 3 days and I really enjoy driving it. After months of searching for a new vehicle my husband and I finally decided on a new xB. The price and being made by Toyota is what sold us. We got the fog lamps, rear fin, upgraded wheels, in the new stingray metal.

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  Great Car, Except for the Gas Mileage - 2005 Scion TC
  By cummr01 - July 19 - 5:00 pm

  My family loved our Scion tC until my daughter totaled it. It has a simple elegant style. The engine was plenty strong. The standard features that came with it were great. When we compared it to similarly equipped Honda Civics, VWs, Mazda3s, Toyota Corrolas none of them impressed us like the tC. Our big complaint was poor gas mileage. We may buy something else now due to the gas mileage. If a 6-speed transmission was put in, that might solve the problem. It tached at 3,000rpm at 65 mph. There wouldnt be reason not to buy the tC if the gas mileage was fixed.

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  Nice and Sweet - 2007 Scion TC
  By loo11188 - July 11 - 2:36 am

  I love this car. I have had it for 2 years. The only thing that I have found that I do NOT like is that I have had to replace 3 tires due to nails. The funny thing is that it came with Bridgestone tires and I have replaced them with Kelly tires and have had NO problems with the new tires what-so-ever. That can get a little pricey. But all in all i love this car and it doesnt do bad in the snow either.

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  Decent - 2007 Scion TC
  By Mike - July 9 - 6:20 pm

  Bought the 07 right when they first started hitting dealerships. Fun to drive, I4 is peppy, gas mileage is not so great. Highway driving is noisy and high RPM once you get over 60. The Z rated tires that come with the car are unnecessary and wear out instantly. Despite its weight and FWD, car handles snow & rain poorly. The double din radio is great for aftermarket head units. Huge sunroof is cool, but rattles like nobodys business. Doors rattle, rear hatch rattles. Buy the accessories online, far cheaper. 2-in-1 floor mats are nice. Seats scuff easily, not very comfortable. Car is a pain to clean because of body shape. Blind splots a plenty. No telescoping steering wheel. Long and heavy doors.