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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  all the right reasons - 2008 Scion XD
  By beth - November 9 - 12:20 pm

  I was looking at hatchbacks for months as a commuter car. I wanted side curtain airbags, cruise control, and 30mpg or better. Compared to the Honda Fit- the seats arent as comfy and the sport version (for cruise control) costs more. Nissan Versa- the back seats arent as versatile (dont fold flat) Toyota Yaris- no cruise and not as much interior space Hyundai Accent-no cruise control Chevy Aveo- less power and no cruise control Volkswagen Rabbit- less mpg and more expensive Subaru Impreza - less mpg but a good 2nd choice Suzuki S- less mpg, lack of many dealerships nearby This was the best for the $ overall. It came with everything I wanted standard.

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  Love it! - 2006 Scion XB
  By the provinces - November 9 - 6:20 am

  Not only does this car have charming, if whimsical, looks, its also a tremendous gas saver. We traded in our Ford Explorer for it and couldnt be happier. While the initial attraction to the car was its great gas mileage and the excellent reports, we love its looks. We hear its a "toaster," but I think it looks like a little British Taxi Cab. We have the black standard 2006 with very few options (just the mats, cargo mat, IPod plug). So far (weve had it since 30 September 2005), its been dreamy. It was four-days-old and parked -- when someone first dinged it (parallel parking) and eight days old when a pebble kicked up and dinged the windshield. Were looking into a deflector.

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  Scion sets high standards at low cost. - 2005 Scion XB
  By Allen Cooper - November 8 - 3:16 pm

  Do not buy if you dont like people staring or asking a lot of questions.I bought it for my wife but since gas prices have been so high my super crew sets in the driveway and I use the xBox to get around.We went to the GulfCoast and it performed great.WE averaged over 30 mpg and drove OVER the 70 mph speed limit!With 4 adults it was a comfortable trip.

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  Best Car Ive have Purchased - 2005 Scion xA
  By Jgadt3 - November 7 - 9:06 am

  It rides very smoothly. I love the comfort. Im a big guy and I have plenty of leg room. The only thing that bothers me about this car is that the rear view vision is a little impaired with the head rest design of the back seats. I would love to have a moonroof as well. The colors are great. I love it for many reasons, it is economical, looks great, and feels wonderful. I want to buy a second one.

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  So Fun Firestorm Red - 2013 Scion FR-S
  By jlennox - November 6 - 4:05 am

  If you love to drive and your not carrying more than a passenger next to you then this is a superb handling ride at a great price. I could not get out of this car the first two days of ownership. Limited availability but if you find one you like and arent so concerned about color then buy it. They go fast out the door. I traded my lumbering gas guzzler Tacoma 4X4 and dont have any regrets. took two trips. One to Tucson from Phoenix mostly highway some city and got 33.4 mpg. Then on the second day I got 35.5 mostly highway with a/c on the whole time. Thats better than my Yaris! I suppose the aerodynamics help. The seats a snug but comfortable. The pioneer stereo cranks.

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  Great Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By B - November 5 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this to be a commuter car to and from work 70 miles a day and I have never regretted my decision. This is a great car. I have driven it long distance a couple of times and the ride is comfortable. You will be amazed on how much you can pack in the car 1,2, or none of the seats folded down. I already have put 88K on it, and look forward to the next 88K. I still love how small it is because its so much easier and fun to weave thru traffic.

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  Scion TC: Best Value For a car period - 2005 Scion TC
  By tmh357 - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I did not believe the car was going to be so well put together. I heard about all the features and looked at the car and wondered why the price was so low. What the catch was. Well,I bought it and I love it. I still dont understand why it is so under priced but Im not complaining. Bottom line, if you want a car with the same looks and features as the TC, it will set you back at least 22K. Everyone that has seen my car and driven in it thinks I paid Lexus prices for it. I dont blame them. It truly feels like a luxury car.

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  tC-mama - 2005 Scion TC
  By ms-stlouis - November 5 - 10:00 am

  One of the first to own one in St Louis, feels really good to have people looking and ask what it is. The Flint Mica is awesome! It has suprising response although a little slower than Id like changing from first to second when getting on the highway, but makes up for it when it does shift. (Still learning how to play with my metallic baby!) Put over 500 hundred miles on it the first week! Really fun to drive, GOOD PRICE!!! GREAT PACKAGE!!!

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  Love It - 2004 Scion XB
  By Stephanie - October 28 - 1:16 am

  I love my 2004 Scion xB. At first my husband had to do some convincing but it paid out in the end! With gas prices the way they are you cant go wrong with this little car and you still have the room to haul things. It is a different car but its also fun to drive and watch the other people give you a weird look because it is so new to Minnesota.

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  Very safe car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Alan - October 27 - 8:06 am

  This is a great car, ive had it a year and a half now and usually average 33 city, nearly 40 highway. The car drives great, and has enough get up and go for interstate traveling. Its also a very safe car, someone has rear ended me three times now in this car, once just a fender bender, another time on the interstate the guy hit me at about 30 in a suv, just a broken bumper, and most recent i was stopped on the interstate and the ford F150 truck behind me didnt...hit me at about 65-70 mph..i walked away fine and so would anyone in the back seat, the car only dented in a few inches, but about 11,000 in damages...overall its a great safe car. i would highly recommend