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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  good quality, no major complaints - 2007 Scion TC
  By camp6ell - April 11 - 1:36 pm

  have driven 25k miles in the first year of ownership, and my only complaint is disappointing gas mileage: 90% of my driving is highway, yet i only realize 29.5-31.5mpg. i expect more from a small car with 4cyl engine. i have a bit of a rattle, unfound/unfixed by dealer, from the sunroof depending on the weather. the upgrade ipod stereo isnt fantastic, and even at max volume can be hard to hear on the highway. engine was a bit lumpy for the first 20k miles, but its smoother now. handles ok. steering and brakes good. interior is a nice place to spend time, and seats are comfy. hvac isnt the best system ive used. headroom limited for anyone above 510".

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  My new Scion - 2005 Scion XB
  By Cathouse - April 2 - 10:00 am

  My new Scion XB is very smart in appearance. I love the way it feels in the interior and the fuel economy. I love my Scion. I have found my car of choice.

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  a bargain - 2005 Scion TC
  By jc23 - April 2 - 10:00 am

  all u need to know about the car can be found in the specs, its a car above your civics and sentras. u have a camry engine giving you 160hp and a load of standard features and hidden goodies that makes the car feel more luxurious. be warned of availability issues, it took me a complete month to get the car and not even the color i wanted. if u want the car, test drive and then put a deposit down (usually $500, make sure its refundable) and call up other dealers, this may help you get it faster .. the car is smooth and responsive, great pickup and a/c works well, MPG is decent, mp3 player is great and a ton of other little features

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  Best value for the $ hands down! - 2005 Scion XB
  By jonbreeze - April 1 - 8:44 am

  My scion was just totaled after 8 years of ownership. I loved it so much I felt I needed to review it for others to know. I bought it as a salvage in 06 with 16k miles on it and I put 170k miles on it. I did do some routine maintenance but it wasnt super consistent and definitely not on time. I never had a single mechanical problem with it other than replacing some simple belts once. After a few years of ownership I crashed it and had to replace my good, front fenders, front bumper, radiator, and some wiring and even after it ran flawlessly. Im a younger guy and drove it pretty hard and took it On long trips with lots of luggage and it performed great! Minor cosmetic flaws but great value!!

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  Great car, fun to drive :-) - 2005 Scion XB
  By Ced - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the price. Great warranty. Excellent fuel economie. Fun and easy to drive. Very confortable.

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  Was liking it, until - 2006 Scion xA
  By cfeather - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used with 18K on it. The car was filthy but cleaned up well and had been used for city driving. I have a new XD and needed something economical for work since I only get 30 cents per mile reimbursement. I get about 34 mpg with this, not as good as the 43 I can pull from the XD. It was good the first 35K, then a retainer fell off the Toyota brake pad and I had to replace the front brakes because they were noisy. And then at 36K the right rear wheel bearing went. Thats way too early for a Toyota. So Im wondering what will go at 38K.

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  Its a shoe box - 2005 Scion XB
  By ShoeBox - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Its unique, classic and fun to drive with a good gas milleage.

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  Good Buy People! - 2005 Scion TC
  By KnotKnyce - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I had this car for a whole week now and Im loving everyday with this vehicle. The excitement that I get when driving this car is knowing that Im the only one in my area with this car. Real Head turner.

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  Tire Size is impossible! - 2010 Scion XD
  By ellizona - February 17 - 1:50 am

  Sold a BMW Z3 during tough financial times and I love my little Scion. However, yesterday (before a major holiday) I was stranded in the California desert. I do not blame Toyota for my flat tire. But the tire on the xD DOES NOT EXIST anywhere. I put $60 on my cell phone - "411" charges for calling every Costco, Sams Club, Pep Boys, and WalMart in the hugely populated areas of Riverside and Orange Counties. Had I checked into a hotel to await the arrival of a tire, 5 days. I ended up w/ a tire one size up just to get me home. My Toyota dealership and I will be having a discussion this week. Should they choose to do nothing, I will contact my local consumer media.

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  Scion xB Review - 2005 Scion XB
  By Geoff - February 12 - 11:03 pm

  Love it or hate it exterior design; incredibly roomy interior for passengers; lots of technology for the price; short length on the outside makes it very easy to park; rather stiff, harsh, and bouncy ride; short on interior storage spaces for small items; fun to drive with sporty feel and very good visibility; lacks side curtain airbags; excellent gas mileage; easy for passengers to enter and exit vehicle. I want to see it with side curtain airbags and a hybrid engine in the next couple of years, then Ill trade my 2005 for a new one. As it stands, very good value for the money.