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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Best New Car in 33 Years - 2008 Scion XB
  By JimW - January 28 - 1:10 am

  Ive purchased many new cars in 33 years, the 2008 xB is the best value, most comfortable, best equipped, and most satisfying car Ive ever owned. The driving performance and standard features are amazing. Average fuel economy after 1000 miles = 30.7 MPG in mixed highway and city driving. Interior space and comfort is better than vehicles costing twice as much. Toyotas attention to design detail and build quality is exceptional. Also, in spite of the xBs massive interior space for people and cargo, the great handling, powerful engine, and small exterior size of this car make it really fun to drive! Now you will understand why all 2008 xB drivers have big smiles on their faces!

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  Robs tC - 2006 Scion TC
  By Rob - January 27 - 12:56 pm

  For the price, the value is amazing. It has a great stereo. The sunroof system is very good with two glass panels to let in the light. The sunroof wind noise is far less than in my 2003 Mini Cooper. I drove nearly 900 miles in one day. The seat adjustments are excellent, especially when you consider that I believe the seats are more comfortable than those in my BMW M3. My friends compliment the brightness of the headlights, even with the fog lights off. It even has an arm rest with sweet sections to hide things so those outside cant see them!

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  Conquers The Urban Sprawl - 2005 Scion XB
  By Jim - January 27 - 9:16 am

  Ive owned my xB for a little over a year now, and I still love it as much as when I first drove it off the lot. This is a car that truly rewards its occupants with tons of room for people or things. The tuner market has also embraced this car wholeheartedly, and there are plenty of performance and exterior mods available for the xB. I traded in a gas-guzzling Dodge Dakota R/T for this car, and havent looked back since.

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  Good Idea... - 2005 Scion TC
  By SDMCDERM - January 26 - 10:46 pm

  Coming straight out of college, this inexpensive coupe was at the top of my list. The tC has great features and standard options. I love the moonroof, interior finish, etc. It has a great power band, I love the torque. Its 17" wheels with Potenzas, cant beat that for $17,000. Having said this now that Ive driven it for a year and a half, I wish I could sell this thing back to Toyota. Mine sounds like a baby rattle inside. The hatch, dash, and moonroof rattle even on smooth roads. I shouldve waited for the 06 Civic Si. This car was such a great idea, too bad. I will never buy a Lexus thanks to this thing.

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  Scion TCs rear handle hatch molding broke - 2005 Scion TC
  By sciontc05 - January 24 - 11:56 am

  Our 05 Toyota Scion TCs rear handle hatch molding broke of a few years ago, shortly after the hydraulic shocks went out that hold the hatch (after 3 years/20,000mile). The dealer wanted $800 to replace them but suggested we buy after market, which we did but the after markets arenÂ’t hydraulic so the hatch needs more strength to open/lift. Consequently, the trunk handle broke off and trunk release just hangs there. We keep taping it over and over with packing tape but now we have all this layers of ghetto tape. We have noticed a lot of taped Scion tcs and xbs on the road! WeÂ’d like to sell the car but would have to invest over $1500 to make it right. Scion wonÂ’t take responsibility for the cheap inferior design and plastic parts. We have spoke to them on the phone many times but they wont help us. We will NEVER buy another Toyota! We found a Facebook PAGE with helpful info and class action suit. [HTML removed]

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  Way to go toyota - 2004 Scion XB
  By Hottub - January 23 - 10:00 am

  great riding car,with plenty of room. Have only had it for two months, but it is really fun to drive. Turns a lot of heads. The gas mileage is great, averaging 37.6 mpg.I laugh all the way to the gas pump.

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  This Car Turns Heads - 2005 Scion XB
  By bhuddaboy - January 23 - 10:00 am

  My XB is very responsive and is great for city driving. I am able to zip around. I am impressed with the interior design and cavernous space, especially considering it has a narrow wheel base. Nothing compares to the driving experience. You sit alomost as high as an SUV. The reactions of strangers has been the most fun. Reactions range from laughter to surprise to "What the....?" to "Thats not right". Outside of the PT Cruiser, what other vehicle elicited such reactions when it was first introduced to the market?

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  owner - 2005 Scion XB
  By rBell - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Poorly made for a Toyota but thats why they didnt put the Toyota name on it.

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  Sweet Bang for Buyers of ALL KINDS Bucks - 2005 Scion TC
  By Fixtion - January 23 - 10:00 am

  The Scion tC comes from the highly reputable Lexus and Toyota Family, which makes it the entry level line for the newer aggressive driving generation that expects butt loads of goodies for as little money as possible. How can you go wrong with Scions new approach of pure pricing and no corners cut with butt loads of standard features. The car is absoultely amazing on the road and screams to be taken to the race track. 15.8 on regular octance is pretty damn sweet for a four banger that comes from the company that makes the cars your parents and grandparents drive. For the quality and reliablity you purchase the tC is hands down the best buy of the Year.

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  i love this car - 2005 Scion TC
  By __EviL_cLoNe__ - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Very fun car to drive. The power is good. This car is way way way better then my nissan sentra 1992. The space inside the car is HUGE. The inside is well designed. I got a different shift knob and silver pedals and the sub. i plan to get tinted windows and black rims.