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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Lowest Total Cost of Ownership - 2006 Scion XB
  By Clinton - July 18 - 1:46 pm

  After doing research (we are talking spreadsheets) on hybrids and other fuel efficient vehicles, I settled on the xB. I am 63" and commute at least 80 miles a day, 5 days a week. Additionally, I truck around clients to show real estate and needed good legroom all around. Lastly gas mileage, dependability, and resale value were taken into account. This little box financially makes sense and is fun and comfortable. Doing it again, I would have gotten silver instead of black (had to try black once in my life) and an automatic transmission as I wear dress shoes to work (little pedals and Rockports dont mix), but this is no fault of the cars by any means. This vehicle is so functional it makes you question ALL other vehicles.

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  W-O-W spells wow - 2004 Scion xA
  By Greg78945602 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Reallly Great is the words i would use to describe it. I travel alot in it

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  my 2005 xb - 2004 Scion XB
  By john grieco - July 17 - 10:00 am

  great car to own ,and drive

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  scion xb - 2004 Scion XB
  By 1meanscion - July 17 - 10:00 am

  love it,best over all car

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  I luv my Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Scionxbdriver07 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I brought this car a couple of days and when i drive to crowded places its a head turner with the style of the car and the sound system that comes with the car stock. The comfort of the car is great u have a lot of room from leg room to head room. Well i suggest that people shold get it b/c u have lots of options to add and when u buy it comes with lots of option already put in.

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  I love my tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By Pvt Joker - July 17 - 10:00 am

  My last car was a Subaru WRX...i decided to go cheap with my new car and bought a Scion tC. I wasnt expecting much besides reliability and fuel economy. What i got instead was a perfect example of how a car can be stylish, come with decent standard options and get great gas mileage in the mid to high teens price range. I now believe that this $16k car is better overall than my old 26k WRX. The WRX had two things going for it... AWD and a turbo charger. Besides those two things, the tC beats it in every category. From seat comfort all the way down to the sound the door makes when you shut it. Even simple things like clutch. The WRX clutch SUCKED...the tC is so smooth

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  All around affordable fun vehicle - 2006 Scion TC
  By justin_milller - July 16 - 10:26 pm

  This car has been the best vehicle I have owned and my fiance and I will probably not ever sell this car do to that. It is a very fun car to drive and is not hard on my wallet.

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  This car rocks - 2008 Scion TC
  By tigerfan - July 16 - 8:10 pm

  Really enjoy interstate off ramps and merging into traffic. The tC looks like a 2 dr but is a hatch back and the seats fold flat which gives me a bunch of room to haul stuff. Fuel enonomy is great around 25-27 city and well over 30 on the highway and I drive 75-80.

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  tC - Best Buy - 2007 Scion TC
  By Joe - July 15 - 5:26 pm

  I traded my premium gas guzzling, visually challenged for driving safety, 2006 Eclipse GT for a 2007 Scion tC and it is simply a great car. It has nearly all of the features of an "upscale Eclipse" minus the aero-kit, which worked itself loose twice in six months causing simply put: poor fit and looks. The Eclipse has more adrenalin but the tC is more consistent overall and has outstanding fuel economy using regular fuel. Its 17 inch wheels and wide rubber make it a gem for handling and turning.

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  If I couldnt have a MINI. - 2005 Scion xA
  By Poulsen - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Was pleasantly surprised with all the standard features for such a low price plus the excellent gas mileage. CD, power windows, power mirror, interior lights that shut-off after closing the door, etc. Advertised at 32/37 mpg and actually getting combined of 36.5 mpg. Enjoy the somewhat unique exterior styling, similar to a Matrix. Who wants a Honda or VW they all have the same bland styling. Again, for 13K cant beat it.