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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Great Buy! - 2004 Scion XB
  By TNTalliere - November 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, not a hot rod but nice for cruising! Very comfortable and a lot of options for the price.

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  Scion TC: Best Value For a car period - 2005 Scion TC
  By tmh357 - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I did not believe the car was going to be so well put together. I heard about all the features and looked at the car and wondered why the price was so low. What the catch was. Well,I bought it and I love it. I still dont understand why it is so under priced but Im not complaining. Bottom line, if you want a car with the same looks and features as the TC, it will set you back at least 22K. Everyone that has seen my car and driven in it thinks I paid Lexus prices for it. I dont blame them. It truly feels like a luxury car.

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  tC-mama - 2005 Scion TC
  By ms-stlouis - November 5 - 10:00 am

  One of the first to own one in St Louis, feels really good to have people looking and ask what it is. The Flint Mica is awesome! It has suprising response although a little slower than Id like changing from first to second when getting on the highway, but makes up for it when it does shift. (Still learning how to play with my metallic baby!) Put over 500 hundred miles on it the first week! Really fun to drive, GOOD PRICE!!! GREAT PACKAGE!!!

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  Love It - 2004 Scion XB
  By Stephanie - October 28 - 1:16 am

  I love my 2004 Scion xB. At first my husband had to do some convincing but it paid out in the end! With gas prices the way they are you cant go wrong with this little car and you still have the room to haul things. It is a different car but its also fun to drive and watch the other people give you a weird look because it is so new to Minnesota.

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  Very safe car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Alan - October 27 - 8:06 am

  This is a great car, ive had it a year and a half now and usually average 33 city, nearly 40 highway. The car drives great, and has enough get up and go for interstate traveling. Its also a very safe car, someone has rear ended me three times now in this car, once just a fender bender, another time on the interstate the guy hit me at about 30 in a suv, just a broken bumper, and most recent i was stopped on the interstate and the ford F150 truck behind me didnt...hit me at about 65-70 mph..i walked away fine and so would anyone in the back seat, the car only dented in a few inches, but about 11,000 in damages...overall its a great safe car. i would highly recommend

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  Recently Purchased - 2005 Scion TC
  By Fred Kleckner - October 26 - 3:53 am

  Great Fun Sporty Little Rocket

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  Still Feels New! - 2008 Scion TC
  By jst4kix - October 24 - 1:03 am

  I purchased my tC in October of 07, so almost 2 years ago. I traded in my 00 Ford Focus for this and lets just say it was a huge upgrade! I feel so confident when I drive my tC, especially when its perfect weather to open the sunroof and go cruising with the iPOD on shuffle. Its always fun to play around a little bit and floor it when the light turns green...great acceleration! You get so much for the reasonable, no-haggle price. Love it!

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  Who could ask for anything more? - 2010 Scion XD
  By vivcali - October 23 - 9:03 pm

  After almost 3 months I finally decided to buy this car. All I can say is "AMAZING". You really need to have one to know what Im talking about.

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  Not your average little car... - 2008 Scion TC
  By Tim Searson - October 20 - 9:53 pm

  Being close to 60, I felt odd looking at a car thats the favorite of tweakers. I traded in a 2002 Toyota Solara because I wanted better gas mileage and Id heard that 2008 was the last for the Solara, so it was out. I wanted a coupe, but the Yaris was too small so I looked at the Scion tC. I was surprised to find there wasnt any haggling about the price - what you see is what you get, but the dealer was very generous on my trade-in. I was amazed at the big interior; even bigger than the Solara. I miss the Solaras leather seats and the cushy interior, but the tC is comfortable and the ride is smooth. And I love the upgraded Pioneer sound system! Wish Id opted for the navigation system.

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  My xBox; I love it! - 2005 Scion XB
  By bkc - October 20 - 7:10 am

  I knew I wanted a Scion Xb before I ever saw or drove one! The design is the coolest; sort of a cross between a Mini Cooper and a Hummer! The handling is great. Its get up and go is very good for such a small engine. The head and leg room are phenomenal (its bigger on the inside than it is on the outside!) The cargo space has not been a problem. Its not a luxury car, but you have to drive it!