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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Splendid little box - 2004 Scion XB
  By professor - April 4 - 11:13 pm

  The xBox is a testament to "less is more" school. Its small on the outside but big on the inside. You must sit in it to believe it. I can take three friends to lunch in comfort and still fit in the tightest parking space with ease. The xB is splendid in its simplicity, and simply splendid. Its fun to drive and gets 30 mpg. It is a great around town car, which is what I use it for.

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  Cute to the max! - 2006 Scion XB
  By LHP - April 4 - 5:43 pm

  I purchased our Scion as a Christmas present for my 44 year old husband. I drive an 8 cylinder pickup. Needless to say, with the high gas prices, I have pretty well taken over the Scion for trips to town (45 miles away, one way). I also enjoy putting my groceries inside the spacious rear end rather than leaving them in the bed of the truck. Laying the back seat down give a lot of room. With the back seat up, there is still room behind the back seat for a trip to the grocery store. With the special cover, you can hide your purchases from prying eyes behind the back seat. They also have a nice cover for when the seat is down that keeps the back of the seat from being damaged by cargo.

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  Excellent - 2006 Scion TC
  By Wes - April 3 - 11:13 am

  The Scion tC is an excellent car for the money. It is very fun to drive!

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  Everything you need, nothing you dont - 2004 Scion XB
  By Pythia of ChicoTopia - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Great, affordable, utility car -- Room for four large adults. Fuel economy has been slow to come -- IÂ’m at 2,500 miles and still getting only an average of 25 mpg. I really love this little car!

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  Love this car...with just a few ideas... - 2008 Scion TC
  By Larz Hanson - April 2 - 9:53 pm

  My tC provides more of a "sport car" feel than many other "sporty" cars competing against it for market share. Cornering is flat and "planted", giving a great sense of confidence and solid feel. The suspension is properly firm...the way a good sports car should be...but still offers a nice, smooth ride quality. Acceleration can be very strong if you stomp the gas, but then you pay for it next time at the gas station. That may be the biggest thing Id change if I could help design the next tC update...I think the transmission should include one more gear - a good overdrive to improve gas mileage. The tC is small, while its engine has plenty of torque. An overdrive might give well over 30mpg.

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  Fun but watch the windshield. - 2006 Scion XB
  By NJ - March 31 - 2:36 am

  8th Toyota product. Bought for price, fuel economy and room. Not disappointed on any of the three.

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  Great Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By enginerdtrav - March 30 - 5:31 am

  I bought my car new in 2006 with 20 miles on it. I now have put 170,000 miles on it and the only issue I have had is the trunk handle breaking, which is a very common problem. Other than that it has run perfectly and not cost me an extra penny beyond standard maintenance. Im going to keep driving it until the tires fall off which probably wont be for awhile. I certainly have gotten my money out of this car.

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  Fun economical car - 2008 Scion TC
  By Jason M - March 30 - 12:46 am

  Had this car for 1 year and 7 months so far and have had only one issue. The front left brake caliper seized, but was covered under warranty. Other than that oil changes and weekly gas fill-ups and the car runs perfect. Has a lot of leg room in the back seats, but head room may be cramped for anyone over 6. Audio system sounds great stock, and the build quality is typical Toyota fashion. Great car to own, usually see 28mpg. I would have kept it longer if I didnt want something faster! lol

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  my car is so sexa - 2005 Scion xA
  By huydai - March 29 - 10:00 am

  My xA is the best car in the street right now. Im so proud to drive it nad having fun driving it every time. I think its good that people dont really know what it is cuz I like to be unique in the street.

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  Engineering - 2005 Scion XB
  By bill 0822 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  The automatic transmission has a button on the shift for the overdrive. When driving my leg sometimes hits the button and shifts the transmission out of overdrive. At 70 mph it is a little bit surprising for me and tach.