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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Toyota Hits a Home Run. - 2005 Scion TC
  By ehiser - July 7 - 10:00 am

  Unbeatable value for the money. I did a lot of research for my first new car and narrowed the field to the Focus, the Mazda3 and the tC. The Focus was more fun to drive, the 3 was even better overall, but too expensive. The tC really is the best deal out there for a small, fun to drive car. Order one!

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  My Scion (Artoo is his name) - 2004 Scion XB
  By Scion Fan - July 3 - 2:10 am

  Five adults go out to dinner in this car, its so roomy -- one is 65". When we go out with another couple, they always want to take our Scion. I have hip/knee arthritis, but no problem getting in and out. 93 year old mother-in-law can do it alone. Its little on the outside, but huge on the inside. It also drives/corners like a sports car -- just not low- slung. Good visibility 360 degrees. No blind spots. Toyota quality, 100% Japanese made. What more could you want?

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  My Scion - 2005 Scion xA
  By doris bledsoe - June 17 - 12:46 am

  I really like my car. I wish it had better hub caps and less air noise while driving. I love the color. I wish i knew how to take the fla. luv bugs off. They took off some paint in a matter of 2 days, leaving white specks on the hood yuck. But all in all I LOVE MY xA!!

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  all good - 2004 Scion XB
  By jasongipson - June 12 - 2:00 am

  so far so good. back hatch issues are about the only problem. --have to slam it good.

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  Increddible vehicle - 2004 Scion XB
  By rickorama - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car when i saw it immeditaley. I drove it for 3 minutes and knew I had to have it. Come to find out, it is even more versitle than i had ever imagined. Tons of space and my huge 66" friends fit in the back better than my escalade! I get looks from everyone on the street giving me the thumbs up.

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  Bring back the funk! - 2011 Scion XB
  By johnxbreezy - June 4 - 1:19 pm

  Used to have a 1st generation 2006 xB in 5-speed manual. It was my favorite car I owned. I outgrew it, and wanted something a bit more mature, and sleek. I also wanted to go for a VIP-style luxury-look this time around, and you can’t be VIP and shift your own gears! ;) That led me to pick up a big-body 2011 xB in automatic. The 2nd generation xB in manual is pretty silly, anyway--it’s just too big for a manual. I do love the car, but I’m not in love with it. It lost it’s groove, and seems as though the Kia Soul is the newer version of the 1st generation xB—it has all the funk that the new xBs lost. I still like the 2nd generation xB more than the Soul, but just saying.

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  Im too sexy for my car... NOT - 2005 Scion XB
  By nibor - May 15 - 10:26 am

  I love my Scion XB. I wish I had more disposible income so I could dress it up a bit, but overall, Im very proud to be seen in this car. My only complaint is that I cant get the gas mileage out of it that Im supposed to. Im about 5 mpg short both hwy and city.

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  Great for the price, but..... - 2005 Scion TC
  By Sakio - May 3 - 5:30 am

  I will say at the start, this is a great looking and fun to drive car. With some dealer installed options (Aero kit, performance exhaust, foglights) it looks like $30K instead of $20K. That being said, I have only put 2000 miles on the car and there are some troubles. 1. My hatchback struts failed and it took three weeks just to get the part. 2. The drivers seat upholstery seems to be coming off the seams at the area of the back release. 3. Theres a piece of something that came off that rattles in the rear area that nobody seems to be able to pin-point. 4. Paint is way too easy to scratch (maybe in the lighter shades its not a problem, mines black).

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  Great Value! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Noisy - April 21 - 10:13 pm

  I bought this car as a replacement for my 2000 Focus ZX3, seeking something sportier, but not completely impractical. The tC came to the fore after some difficulty trying to nail down the local Honda dealer on a price (and availability) on a Civic Si. Both were in the running, but after a bit of time at the Scion/Toyota dealer, the quality of the tC and the great buying experience at the Scion dealership made it a no-brainer. Toyota quality/reliability (and the accompanying resale value) is gravy. This car is a tremendous value if you can restrain yourself at the options checklist, with power windows, locks, remote entry, great audio and Gods own sunroof as standard make it a tough car to overlook.

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  Brakes - 2008 Scion XB
  By Diana - April 17 - 9:10 am

  I really like the Scion. Very roomy with great interior.