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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Scion xB, the original is best. - 2005 Scion XB
  By JerryY - October 25 - 5:23 pm

  Have had a six new cars in my time driving, this is the most fun, most practical, and fuel efficient. Easy to get around in traffic, easy to park, great visibility, good factory option list. I added aftermarket cruise control, since it wasnt available from Scion or the dealership, really like this on longer drives.

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  having good taste in style and power - 2005 Scion TC
  By Mark Preciado - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Its a fun car with great stuff backed in it. The car is so nice just plane as well like I got it with a below 260 monthly payment. This car is for every one young and old. Very user friendly over all compered to other cars with gadgets, buttons and light desplays, this car has the same thing and keeps things simple with all the gadgets and all. Power is usful and fun when now one is looking. Gas milege is actulay on the dot too after test that I have done. Any one can like this car and leaves you impressed every time you get in it and out and saying "I got this for $17000!" at the same time.WORTH EVERY PENNY NO MATTER WHAT YOU ADD TO IT!

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  Old Folks Car - 2009 Scion XB
  By Ed McCormack - October 22 - 10:50 pm

  I am 66 and 64" 280# and I was looking for a suv that I could fit in and get good gas mileage. My Scion xb 09 is great. Plenty of room and more pep than I ever thought it could have. Dont hesitate and dont listen to your grandchildren when they say "box"; they change their minds when the see it. If you are in Houston call Beth at Fred Haas Toyota in Spring; when my 95 Tahoe quit on the day we were to pick up our new xb she drove 80 miles to pick us up. Service beyond the call. Hard to find these days. We are not related or anything. Ed

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  Scion tC for Me - 2005 Scion TC
  By sjvisme23 - October 21 - 5:26 am

  I absolutely love my Scion tC. Its such a fun little car to drive. It has lots of get up and go...and a lot of good looks as well. I get a lot of compliments on my car too. I have had no problems with my tC. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that is looking for a fun, sporty car but wants a fairly priced one too. I cant believe all you get for the price! I got mine in a week and a half. You cant beat that! I love my Scion! I am a very proud owner.

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  Head Turning Car! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Babysmall - October 20 - 5:36 am

  We wanted to buy a new vehicle and were looking to buy a pickup truck but found out the prices were to high. Plus the gas mileage for pickups is so bad. I came across the Scion XB while researching for cars and saw that its gas mileage is very good. We went to test drive it twice and decided to get it because it was boxy, head turning, and affordable. Who cares if I am not under 25 and dont fit the driver profile.

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  Scion Review - 2005 Scion TC
  By Jamie Robinson - October 20 - 5:00 am

  I have had this car for almost 7 months and so far am very happy. It drives smooth and in the winter it handles well. Gas on it is pretty decent. I get about 24mi/gl. Not too bad.

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  New Scion TC Series 1.0 - 2005 Scion TC
  By Tony - October 19 - 1:53 am

  Real Cool Car. This car looks great in absolute red!! This series 1.0 is #6 of 2,500. This one includes the TRD Exhaust, Rear Pedestal Spoiler and Ground Effects. The car handles great!!! The 18 inch rims help with the handling and ride better than I thought. If the TRD supercharger becomes available this will be added for sure. The car is quick but an additional 40 hp would be great. I really like the fact that the car feels roomy for such as small car. The car stereo is actually quite good. I also like the fact that Scion offers so many accessories at a great price. You can customize the car to your liking. Oh I also like the fact the car is a Toyota and of good quality.

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  Awsome Sound Machine - 2006 Scion TC
  By TheCheese - October 18 - 10:03 am

  I bought this car for 2 reasons. #1 interior shape (hatchback) for a 3 subwoofer horn loaded configuration and #2 price since I was putting $7K into the sound system. 2000 W into 2x10" + 1x15" sub with 9 cabin speakers custom door pods and Morel dome/MB Quart Premium speakers - awesome sound quality. Professionally installed by the owner of Audio North West, the sound system is Incredible (and I have a lot of audio stuff for comparison). A side benefit is the ride. Hard corners a bit soft but good controlled drift w/e-brake, will install sport suspension. Minor tuning mods, upgrading to 18" XXR rims and Potenza tires this week. AWESOME platform for REAL car audio and it has enough kick - FUN

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  AWESOME CAR - 2005 Scion TC
  By John - October 17 - 12:26 am

  Ive had this car a week now and I am loving it. It is great fun to drive and I couldnt be happier with my decision. I drove several other makes and models before deciding on the tC and boy am I glad I did. The handling is great, the acceleration is more than I need and all the options are stellar.

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  I love my toaster oven!! - 2008 Scion XB
  By Michael - October 15 - 9:50 am

  Ive had my xb2 for about 6 months and I love it more and more each each day. I average between 30-34 mpg. Everybody that gets inside simply cant believe how much space is in there, 5 can fit quite comfortably. I call it my TARDIS. I live in the Rocky Mountains and so far its handled the snow very well. Just be careful, this puppy sits very low, only about 5 of ground clearance which will be lessened when I put on the TRD lowering springs ;-) Thats one of the best parts of the Scion brand; there are so, so many ways to customize your ride. So if youre looking for a fun hot hatch and you buy anything else, you chose wrong.