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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

• 

  Good things come in small packages - 2004 Scion XB
  By Taro - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Tons of room for a small car. Great 2nd. car or great for a first time driver. The options for this car is endless.

• 

  Sweet Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By Mike - May 19 - 11:20 am

  Ive been thorougly impressed with my tC so far. With its peppy engine, great build quality, sweet standard rims, long list of stock features, and more room at every seat (including all 3 backseats) than a 4-door Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta, the tCs been great. I love the sport seats that standard, and the ability to tune this thing out like crazy. Theres decent trunk room for a coupe, and the car looks amazing in black when its clean and the rims are shined up. Cant even say how many great comments Ive gotten on it, and how many people asking what kind of car it is, and then going on to say how cool it is, especially for under 18 grand. A 5 star car at a bargain price.

• 

  Sweet Ride - 2006 Scion TC
  By Kerry - May 12 - 5:26 pm

  I just recently purchased a Scion tC. It is an unbelievable car. I love the very simple interior design. I love how it drives so smoothly, gets incredible gas mileage, and how the geers shift so easily along with the clutch being so easy. The car handles great. The car is such a good deal for the price you pay. Dont let the outside fool you there inside is roomier than it looks.

• 

  First Scion - 2014 Scion TC
  By galaxica - May 12 - 4:02 pm

  I just bought my very first Scion Tc (2014) and love it! I never even considered this brand until I saw the car at the lot. And when I was told that Scion is made by Toyota, I was sold. The design is very impressive, a head turner! Its so much fun to drive and I dont like driving that much, but this car gives you back the fun of driving :)

• 

  No Regrets - 2006 Scion xA
  By tpigeon - May 12 - 7:20 am

  The Scion xA is a perfect fit for me and is the only new car purchase I have not regreted. I beleive I have the best car on the market for the price I paid. This car looks so small from the outside but is very roomy on the inside. The car is so much fun to drive. I will keep this car for a very long time.

• 

  Highly recommended - 2009 Scion XB
  By PeterUK - May 10 - 9:10 am

  My Black xB2 was amongst the first available in CA. It came with Alloy wheels, illuminated Door Sills and upgraded iPod stereo. I test drove it and fell in love with it. Its easy to live with, has been totally reliable, not even a rattle or squeak and has never needed to go back to the Dealer for anything!! I am a Cyclist and the xB will carry two full-size Roadbikes along with all the Gear. My Daughter and I took it on a 1,000 mile roadtrip to SF and back with 2 Bikes and all our luggage. 80+ mph all the way and it flies up and down the Hills of SF! The xB also carries 4 Adults comfortably, everyone compliments it on how much Legroom there is in the rear.

• 

  I Love My 06 xB! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Debbie - May 8 - 7:13 pm

  The first time I saw this car was in the dealership. It was love at first sight. I went home and told my husband about it, but he didnt believe that the car was so spacious. So after one month of waiting he finally decided to go to the dealership with me to take a close look at it, and he also fell in love, and finally got me the car.

• 

  Perfection. - 2008 Scion XD
  By MaxM - May 8 - 5:20 pm

  When I was first looking at cars to buy I was trying to find an SUV. I wanted a vehicle that I could put stuff in the back of (home depot trips, etc.). Unfortunately, gas shot up to like $4 a gallon that day so I got rid of the SUV idea. After a lot of researching and reviewing, i went with the xD for its gas mileage, fold- down back seats (my friend and I can finagle our mountain bikes in there and trips to home depot are no problem), a low price tag, and the Toyota built engine. Ive had the car about 6 months now and i couldnt be happier. Its definitely got some pep to it when you hit the gas, too. Good for light stuff, just dont expect to do any heavy hauling.

• 

  Review by Mr. Hans - 2006 Scion XB
  By hans zamora - May 6 - 4:33 am

  The 2006 Scion xB is a great car and a great buy. It is a little short on power, but makes up for this in the wallet when pumping gas!

• 

  Love It! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Lou in NJ - May 6 - 2:30 am

  First Id like to say, I never thought Id buy an import car, but this is one great little vehicle and Im glad I bought it! Its Great on gas and fun / easy to drive. It has so much interior room that you have to see it to believe it (you have to sit in one and youll see for yourself - its amazing on the inside). Took it from NJ to FL and back this summer and it while not a highway rocket, it did better than I expected with three adults plus luggage and A/C on along Route 95. Passing did require some strategic planning, but it gets the job done!