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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Not Bad, but also Not Good Enough - 2004 Scion xA
  By calimania - January 18 - 2:00 am

  First thing I should say is... I like this car. Its well-built, all-around- not-bad features.. Im satisfied with this car. However, the most factor that affected me to buy it is definitely the PRICE!

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  Im sorry, I have buyers remorse - 2006 Scion XB
  By Marian - December 15 - 7:00 am

  I have almost 5,000 miles on my 2006 XB. So far the windshield wiper rubber part came off of the metal causing theit to stick up and scrape the paint off my car. It is now rusting. The windshield is so straight that rocks chip it VERY easy (4 times already)! I need a new one. The radio sounds horrible and when I turn volume up. When I turn sharp corners the radio station changes. Ive lived at beach for years never had problems with door parts getting bent due to the wind!! A "little" peice of metal is bent and I have to slam door shut to close it and now the window only rolls down 3 inches! Also the interior lighting is bad. Its seats are VERY uncomfortable. And it drives like a go cart. If you are used to small cars this wont be a problem for you.

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  The car of your dreams - 2005 Scion TC
  By Rashed - October 8 - 10:00 am

  The car is cheap. The interior is cheap and the there isnt alot of room in the car. The backseats dont have much room. At a stoplite when I am in front, the car next to always beats me.

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  fun but not comfortable - 2009 Scion XB
  By waw - May 27 - 9:56 am

  This is by far the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven. The seat bottom is short and offers little support. The steering wheel is too far away. The armrest is too low and the sill is too high. My knee hits the console at a very uncomfortable spot. The trans shifts at the slightest incline. The brakes are sensitive as well as the gas pedal.

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  Cheaply Made - 2008 Scion TC
  By ken117 - May 9 - 6:56 am

  Had a 2008 Scion TC for a bit longer than five years. While not the worst vehicle I have owned, that would be a Dodge, after five years the overall cheapness of the vehicle was starting to show. For example, the rear hatch latch simply broke one day. Another, the paint is so thin and soft it scratches at every opportunity. To be honest, I was happy to be rid of the TC.

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  What a Lemon! - 2005 Scion TC
  By jcf - March 23 - 7:20 am

  Lets see, theres the soft paint that chips too easily, the long doors you usually cant open, the squeaky rear hatch, the sagging rear deck cover, the annoying bright beam light indicator, the horrible stereo cover, the inconvenient stereo buttons, the stupid partially lit brake light, the unsteady cruise control, the marginal air conditioning, and the mediocre gas mileage. Most of all, theres the popping, cracking, rattling moonroof thats plagued my car for most of its 20,000 miles, despite four dealership repairs. The car looks good and runs great, but its so full of problems that Id never recommend it to anyone.

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  Fun to drive?! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Unhappybuyer - February 24 - 6:40 am

  Reading most of these reviews here, I cant help wondering WHAT everyone else was driving before they bought a tC. If they think this car is fun to drive, and HANDLES well - they must have been driving an SUV or a minivan previously. Yes, it handles well compared to a vehicle like this with a horrible center of gravity - but the point is, its a sport coupe - it has too much body roll and the suspension makes it feel like youre driving a large sedan. I feel like I might as well be driving a Camry (possibly one of the most boring cars on the road). I guess it depends heavily on previous experiences - but this car does not handle WELL at all - and feels dangerously unsure in hard cornering.

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  Toyota quality slipping - 2004 Scion XB
  By Steven41 - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Scion Xb about three weeks ago and for the most part its a good car/wagon/whatever. It has tonsof room inside yet it is so small on the outside. The 6-disc stereo is far better than the BOSE stereo in my Audi A4. The bad --rear bumper is already loose and looks like its coming off. Rubber trim coming off, rattles in dash. Rotten MPG

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  Sadly Disappointed - 2009 Scion XB
  By BigDaddy - July 30 - 2:50 pm

  I bought the Scion because I was impressed with the standard features that came on it and the interior roominess. I am over 6 feet tall and about 300 lbs, and am comfortable in the front or back seats. Car is quick and nimble to drive, but a lot of road feel. Could get better, mileage, only about 28 ave. Most disappointed after driving less than 1,000 miles (less than 2 weeks) the check engine light came on. Took it to a dealer who "fixed" it and 4 days later had the same problem. Now they are replacing the transmission. Sure, its under warranty, but that does nothing for my time, lost work, and aggravation. Sadly disappointed at Toyota quality. Is in the shop more than my driveway.

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  Issue with clutch - 2009 Scion TC
  By Nathan - July 1 - 9:06 am

  I bought my tC back in december 2008. At 2200 miles my clutch and flywheel go out. The dealership says they wont warranty the repairs and want to charge me $1,440 to fix it. Im getting a lawyer today.