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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Cute as a Button - 2004 Scion xA
  By Alicia - October 29 - 8:30 am

  I love, love, love this car. The gas mileage is fantastic!

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  Inland Northwest Toaster - 2005 Scion XB
  By Mikey - October 29 - 2:10 am

  i went looking for "something that gets a lot of MPGs" without much hope of being able to afford anything cool or fun. i was thinking hyundai, kia, or chevy aveo and was blown away when i found out i could have a scion for about the same (comparably equipped) price. i love my toaster! it can be thrown into corners like a sports car, is comfy on long trips, comfortably seats four fullsize american adults, and still gets 35 mpg! american car companies oughtta be taking notes!!

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  TC is OK - 2006 Scion TC
  By Joseph T - October 17 - 8:03 pm

  For the price, i have been very happy. I love the fact (trust) that the engine is based on the existing long tested 4cyl. I believe it could use a little more power, but the supercharger is an option. The interior design is better than some cars Ive seen at much higher prices. Overall, been driving this for 2 months and could not be happier. It was a good buying experience and even better ownership experience. Definetly recommending this model

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  I love my Scion - 2005 Scion XB
  By aj03 - October 13 - 8:03 pm

  I really love my Scion xB. This is actually my first car and the reason why I chose to purchase the Scion xB was because of the price and also the design of the car is very unique. Friends are always surprised about how roomy the vehicle is and I always get compliments on the color of my car. Gas mileage is great; I can get a full tank of gas for about $25.

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  Im Sold - 2004 Scion xA
  By kg13 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Scion XA fora little over a week and love it. I traded in my Acura TL. that should tell you right there, I prefer the simple pleasure of the Scion over the luxury of my old Acura. I love the size, outside and in, the gas mileage it gets, as well as the overall standard features I got for the price. Dont waste your time looking for cars, Scion is all you need.

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  I Love This Car! - 2005 Scion TC
  By ken - October 7 - 5:26 pm

  I bought my Scion tC in 2005, a couple months after it came out. Im glad to say I dont regret it at all. I love the exterior look of it, it has the best of all higher priced cars put into one. Its performance is alright, you could always add a supercharger though =). It is very easy to customize, audio wise. The hatch is perfect for music lovers like me and I can fit my bike in the hatch with the seats down! I thank Toyota everyday for making a perfect, affordable and great car for a college student like me.

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  Scion xB Special Release 6.0 - 2009 Scion XB
  By xBR6.0303 - October 4 - 11:36 am

  This car is more a mini minivan than a urban sedan. As a 40-something couple with a toddler, this car fits us nicely. We bought this car because it met ours needs for reliability, affordable price, interior room, good power on hills, adequate gas mileage (barely), & overall value. After 4k miles and plenty of reflection, I would still buy this car, but with different options: Base car in blue, Standard radio-touch screen version is difficult to use, Upgrade suspension, C-pillar & rear net storage (have), Rear seat/cargo area cover (have), Splash guards/wheel flares (ebay), auto dim rear view mirror (far to reach), all weather floor mats, and see other stuff below.

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  Best dollar value - 2005 Scion TC
  By JL@SD_CA - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Cannot find better dollar value in current market. Very rich of the standard features. Like the right price and no barging process.

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  Fun Vehicle - 2006 Scion XB
  By stevejanko - September 27 - 11:43 pm

  I look forward to driving my Scion xB. It has an excellent heater and a/c. It only needs better interior lighting. Its a little noisy at highway speeds. I would like to see a diesel engine in the future

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  Scion xA 1.o series limited edition - 2005 Scion xA
  By RedHot Scion - September 4 - 4:00 am

  Fun and functional car. Highly recommended for new teen drivers. Receive many positive comments for observers when at different location I stop at.Im having a blast driving it!