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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Highly Recommended - 2006 Scion TC
  By TPM - April 29 - 1:00 am

  The Scion tC is a great buy for the money. The car is well built, looks great, drives well, and is loaded with standard features. The azure blue color looks great in the day and brilliant at night. I waited three long months for this color with side airbags but it was worth it. The car does need more headroom if you are over six feet tall, and I am only getting 20 MPG with mostly local driving though.

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  Toyotas New Prodigy - 2006 Scion TC
  By tbbaot - April 23 - 11:50 am

  I took delivery of the new 06 Scion TC two weeks ago. I have owned other sporty cars from Toyota and Honda. For the money this is the best car I have ever owned. It comes standard with a long list of premium features and screams Toyota quality. If you compare the TC with sporty cars from Honda, Mazda and even Toyotas, you cant beat the value.

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  Scion XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By Jeff Hanson - April 22 - 2:53 pm

  Good cheap car. Great gas mileage. Shares parts with other cars, easer to get parts for when that day comes.

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  Excelent!! - 2006 Scion TC
  By bayoan - April 21 - 12:39 am

  The car is really comfortable up front and at the back, except in the middle. The steering feels great but the ride is stiff. Still, that is great for higher speeds. Peppy engine and tranny with 167000 miles still responds beautifully. Everything seems to fit nicely. The mpg is not great could be better.

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  The Cool Fun Box... - 2010 Scion XB
  By DJ Grey Scion - April 19 - 4:13 pm

  I got a good Trade In value for my 2003 VW gti for my 2010 Scion XB. It was an offer I couldnt resist. I was looking for a more reliable car than my VW. The AUX IN/USB input and steering wheel control for the Pioneer stereo system sold me. You can use an IPOD, jump drive, or even a portable hard drive for the USB input. After market add on were cheap. I got nice interior LED Chrome bar floor lighting and Door/Back Bumper Sills for really cheap. I just wish the steering was a little tighter. The car rides like a Toyota if that makes any sense. The is a cool multi-purpose car that doesnt look uncool.

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  review - 2006 Scion TC
  By Jessica - April 18 - 8:06 pm

  I think the Scion tC is great, comfortable, and very spacious.

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  Great little car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Carl - April 18 - 1:40 pm

  Two months into ownership and we are extremely pleased with the xD. We wanted something that would replace our Toyota Tacoma, which had given us wonderful reliability for 110,000 miles but the 23 mpg was killing me when I drove it for work (my cheap employer who still thinks gas costs $1.20 a gallon pays only 20 cents per mile). I drove the Yaris 4 dr and liked it very much but did not like the auto transmission and the lack of a hatchback. The Scion was just the ticket, exactly what I wanted. I rode the fence between this and the Fit, but I like the bigger tires and higher ride on this and the great stereo system. Best of all is the gas mileage. 44mp on the freeway!

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  Great Buy - 2008 Scion XD
  By annez37 - April 18 - 1:36 pm

  We looked at the Pontiac Vibe and a Kia, this car was the most bang for the buck. We got it at the TMV, there was no negotiating. Standard features on the Scion were extras on the other cars we looked at. It drives like a big car, every time I get out of it, I look at it and cant believe how small it is! The Pioneer stereo/cd are great. Cant go wrong with Toyota. 42 mpg highway so far.

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  2005 Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By eporter - April 17 - 3:06 am

  My Scion xA is wonderful. Not only is it different and awesome to drive but the gas mileage is great. This car is perfect because it fits my personality. It is the only car I have seen that you can choose so many different accessories. I picked out everything down to the wheels and its great. I couldnt be happier with my Scion!

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  not your fathers toyota - 2007 Scion TC
  By not-a-kid - April 16 - 7:03 am

  Read previous reviews. I have experienced some of the problems, poor clutch feel out of first, radio door cover squeak, road noise with sunroof open but overall a good looking fun car with good economy and reliability. One feature no one has mentioned is easy access to the oil filter. I can change the oil without lifting the car. Try that on your civic/rsx! Could use a rear wiper and more LEDs on the high mount tailight.