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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Been Deceived - 2005 Scion XB
  By scott - May 3 - 1:36 pm

  The mileage ratings quoted by Scion are totally bogus on this car. They say it gets 30 city and 34 highway (or government says). Im a 46 year driver that wanted a high mileage vehicle and by no means a lead foot. I routinely am getting 20 mi./gal in the city. This has been a real disappointment for me as I could have bought a hybrid for a little more. Has anyone else out there gotten such poor gas mileage with their Scion XB?

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  OK, not great. - 2008 Scion XD
  By whitewolfe001 - April 30 - 7:02 am

  I bought the car used at 44k miles. The dealer put on brand new tires, and yet, the car is HORRIBLE in snow! The tires spin/slide not only on a mere coating of snow, but something even on wet roads. Its not a small car problem, because my old Geo Prizm was a champ in snow, and my fiances Nissan Versa is also quite good. Im going to have to get winter tires, even though I live 1.5 flat miles from work, because frankly I dont feel safe driving this in any amount of snow. Otherwise, its OK. The handling is not great. It has a very poor turning radius for a small car, and its herky-jerky: the gas and brake pedals are too sensitive; it takes quite a lot of finesse to drive smoothly.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Matt - April 25 - 3:06 pm

  There is no better deal out there. For all of the standard features you get and the power, this car should cost $20,000. The standard transmission is tons of fun and sporty. It has lots of power and a sporty feel when driving while maintaining a comfortable drive. I dont know how Scion is making any money on these with all of the bells and toys that they have in there.

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  Great car for the price - 2009 Scion TC
  By Jakers - April 20 - 11:10 pm

  I used to valet so Ive driven everything from a Honda Del Sol to a Maserati Quattroporte, and I tried to be as fair as possible when rating the Tc. Here are my pros and cons: I have already logged over 10k miles on my car without a single problem. The back moonroof shade will rattle if you drive on the hgwy w/ the windows down (to be expected) Scion cut costs on the frame, but if you can do that and still score 5 star safety ratings, who wouldnt? my tires tread is already getting low. Ill be lucky if they last 10K more miles its not very quick.. at least not with a manual. 1st is done early compared to other light-weight cars interior could use a quality boost

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  2011 xB, wheres the diesel? - 2011 Scion XB
  By jpouchet - April 15 - 2:53 pm

  Overall I have to say that we are quite pleased with the Scion xB for the excellent alternative it brings over most of the small SUVs we were considering. For our use, local commuting, hauling two bikes (tandems), golf clubs, the dog, and vacation travel with the dog, the xB is a great fit. However the fuel economy is poor for the size of vehicle. Where is the Diesel option? Other design issues – the key is horrible! It will cut your pants pocket and stab you the first, second, and even third chance it gets. Why not a folding key? Audi, VW, even Ford have them. The steering wheel material is too hard. On any drive over 15 minutes it starts to become an annoyance.

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  My first 2005 Scion - 2005 Scion TC
  By Nadeem - April 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is very responsive on handling corners and great for upgrading to enhance the speed and looks!

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  Fun to Drive, but Lots of Problems - 2005 Scion TC
  By mully - April 15 - 7:20 am

  I see everyone loves this car, and I do too except for all of the problems! Rattles, rattles everywhere. My sunroof doesnt close, front brakes make a clicking noise constantly, hatch rattles, dashboard rattles and squeeks. it also doesnt help that my dealership is terrible. I probably have the most mileage of anyone I have talked to (24,000), but the car just doesnt seem to be holding up well. The paint is very cheap, the front of the car has so many scratches and chips you cant even see the color of the car (indigo ink). Overall I love the car, I just hate all the issues it has. I will be returning to Honda now that the new Civic is out.

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  Outstanding Value - 2006 Scion xA
  By Ozzie - April 12 - 7:53 am

  The vehicle is perfect for my needs. I just got the car and when I was driving home I noticed the engine runs strong and the cabin was fairly quiet. I did my homework and looked at the Corolla, Civic and Mini. I felt that for the price and quality the Scion was the winner!

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  Best Bang for your Buck - 2005 Scion XB
  By b desaw - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought 2006 Scion xB and have put 700 miles on it so far. On my first tank of gas, I got 30 mpg and on my second tank I got 29 mpg. The xB is a GREAT small car! Its very fun (easy) to drive, has a great sound system, and a cool/funky design. I bought it partly because I wanted to fit a wheelchair in back (I am replacing a Honda Odyssey), and partly because gas just went up to $3.60 a gallon. It is not a sportscar, but a logical and efficient way to get from here to there, in comfort, with sufficient power, and LOTS of interior space! I am very happy! I would defininitely recommend this vehicle to smart consumers. Idiots who need massive power to suppliment their ego shouldnt buy this car, it wont suit their needs. It suits my needs perfectly.

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  Quick Hatchback for the money! - 2006 Scion TC
  By Hondaman - March 19 - 6:46 am

  This is a nice 3 door car for the cash. The standard goodies are a really nice surprize for under $17,000. So far the gas mileage is better than the EPA estimate of of 22/29. Its more like 24/31, which is not bad for a 2.4 liter! The fit and finish are great for any car in this segment. Honda is all I have ever owned and now Im a Toyota believer! A test drive is the only way to see for yourself.