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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Love the looks on other drivers faces! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Banana Wind - March 6 - 5:13 am

  Love this car! I love the character of this car! The yellow color is definitely visible to other drivers and I get incredible gas mileage. 35 to a fantastic 38 miles to a gallon..on mountain rodes! You cant beat the value and just the looks of fasination on other drivers face when they see my "box".

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  Echo Killer, same car, 200% better - 2005 Scion XB
  By dennis Kasprzak - March 5 - 10:36 am

  We purchased an echo coupe in 2003 we sold an echo coupe with 4800 miles and lost 3000$ on it, at high speeds handling was shakey a wind gust you were in the next lane. With a test drive with the XB, it was night and day, comfortable supportive seats, excellent handling, better options abs standard traction control standard, vsc standard, my echo had nothing like this yet only cost 1000$ less, We have a second baby on the way and the room benind the seats is wonderful for diperbags and groceries. The only down side is the trunk does not have much space behind the seats, and no armrest, luckily aftermarket armrests are readily available, and no cruise control will make trips a little less fun

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  Five star car, three star price. - 2008 Scion TC
  By SATXtC - March 5 - 4:53 am

  After almost two months of ownership, I am definitely glad I got the tC. I used to have a Versa, but it just wasnt the car for me. The tC, though, is. Some people complain about the mileage, but Im getting mileage comparable to what I got in the Versa. Cornering is a blast, and getting on the highway isnt really a problem. Im 6 4", so headroom is a bit tight, but not unbearably so. The ride quality is good for a sport coupe, and the interior is pretty nice; its well laid out, with all controls easily reachable, and all the gauges are easily read. All in all, for the money, great bang for the buck!

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  The xB - The New Extreme - 2008 Scion XB
  By Mr. B- - March 4 - 11:16 am

  This is a great car. Not only for the younger generation but for the older as well. Its fast, sleek, and has an awesome sound system. Try one youll love it.

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  So far, LOVE this car... - 2012 Scion XD
  By bluecub78 - March 4 - 5:02 am

  Only had this car less than a month, but so far its awesome! I did have to ding the build quality a bit though in the rating due to a sad discovery where the new Scion Premium Audio System (new for 2012) appears to not work with the SiriusXM. Scion Corporate in California is now aware and is working on it personally. Problem is only limited to the Release Series tho, so be rest assured it will work in a Base xD. As for the rest of the car, LOVE the way it drives and feels. It feels so good around tight turns and contrary to what some others might say, I find the seats quite comfortable and supportive. A little anemic uphill, but otherwise, a zippy ride. All around, I would recommend it!

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  a looker for less - 2010 Scion XB
  By jody - March 3 - 12:46 am

  Bought this car as a trade for cash for clunkers. So far, the car has exhibited great handling, so so gas mileage and a good ride if you have less than 2 people in it. Things like programmable wipers, lighted ignition light and auto headlight shutoff are some of the options I miss that were in my clunker, that was in pretty great condition. I know this is the car that was built to be rebuilt, but after adding a couple of options you are spending much as a well equipped Honda accord ex. I truly dont see the great bargain for the new Young generation. I only see a great marketing idea on behalf of Toyota. I think that Toyota should squeeze a bit more value out of there option closet.

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  my BOXkar - 2005 Scion XB
  By Pennie - March 1 - 6:00 am

  Had my car 3 yrs now and I still love it. Will be driving more now that Im retired. Great gas mileage. Do wish it heated up faster. Took over W VA mountains, made them all, just keep the medal to the pedal. I have allowed three strangers (older individuals) who ask about car to sit in it. They were impressed about the ease of getting in and out. Two I saw another time at store and they told me the did indeed buy a Scion xB, on man traded his cat for one. Told me he laugh every time his fills up his xB and takes money to back. Ill never own another car except for the Scions.

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  09 XB Standard - 2009 Scion XB
  By HLB - February 26 - 6:16 pm

  I am very please with the over all performance of the XB. The quality of the vehicle is more than I expected. The gas mileage is 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, thats worth the purchase itself.

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  New to me, but I like it - 2009 Scion XB
  By Bruce Lampley - February 21 - 12:10 am

  We now have 250 miles on our xB(ox). Things I like include the stying, performance. I like the cruise control. Other cars Ive driven will downshift and floor the gas if you hit the break and then resume cruise. Not this Toyota system. Resume = smooth return to previous speed. Things I dont like. Im short (57") and hit my knees on the steering column getting in and out. Would it have broken the bank to put a second arm rest for the front passenger? Would prefer an analog speedo rather than digital.

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  Best for the Cost - loaded with features - 2008 Scion XB
  By Gani - February 16 - 6:36 pm

  After a careful research of all sedans with a combination of all features - safety, comfort, space, design, power and fuel economy, I bought this wagon which has them all for a price that is far less. It has everything in it. You cannot get a car which has everything in the right combination. Well, who cares if it looks like a box. In fact the 2008 XB looks much sportier. An excellent value for the money!!