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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  2005 Blue Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By AutoBat - October 12 - 8:00 pm

  I have had my xB for several years now. I got my car with alloy wheels, arm rest and cruise control installed. I consistently get 30mpg in either city or highway. I still love the looks of it, I replaced the grill with billet aluminum and the rear lights with LEDs after I got rearended once (new tailgate as well). The car is reliable as can be (its a Toyota afterall). Even after the new (ugly) xBs came out I still get comments on how cool (or ugly) my car is. If I had the means, I would get another, but with a manual transmission. I have had to have 2 large chips filled in from errant rocks at about $20 each.

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  The best of the rest! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Charly - October 11 - 4:06 am

  Ours is a Rel 2.0 Series w/ground effects factory package. (Yellow only) and is loaded with all factory options Pioneer Stereo + dark window tint + white wheel covers + cruise. We average 32 MPG overall and see 35 on trips. We have installed a front stabilizer bar and turbo K&N intake. It handles like a sports car but insures like a wagon.

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  Just what I was looking for - 2012 Scion XB
  By Bradley Knisley - October 11 - 2:07 am

  This was the first car that I bought brand new. I did a lot of research over a couple years to find just what I was looking for. I was at the Cleveland auto show when I sat in the 2012 XB for the first time. It was love at first sight. It now had an arm rest, which is a must and adjustable steering. I love the electronic steering because I work real hard at work and would much rather not fight with the steering wheel after a hard days work. I was looking for a SUV that was good on gas, reliable, could haul just about anything and looked good while doing so. I love the center mounted dash because the steering wheel doesnt get in the way of what you need to see. I upgraded the radio, purchased the cold air intake and TDR muffler. The car felt sluggish to me because I traded in my Jetta turbo for my new XB. This improved the performance and gave it the pep I was looking for. You honestly can fit almost anything in the back of this beast. I purchased a 60 inch TV that fit it in the back, in the box but did have to move the front seats forward a couple inches. I moved everything in my house except for a few pieces of bedroom furniture and my kitchen table. Lets face it, you can not get by with just a sedan being a home owner. This vehicle has meet my expectations and has exceeded them. I look forward to owning this vehicle for many many years.

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  Fun and economical - 2005 Scion xA
  By Mildred Mosher - October 8 - 4:26 am

  Fun car to drive very economical. This vehicle draws attention every where I take it. I cant say enough good things about it. Im getting 40 mpg on the highway and averaging 37 overall I have no complaints about this vehicl and it even has an awesome stereo!

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  Ohhh Yes! - 2006 Scion XB
  By D.A.Chase - October 3 - 10:36 pm

  I bought my Black Sand Pearl xB two months ago. I had researched it on the net for a long time and was impressed. On a whim I went and test drove it. That was it! It was so much fun to drive, I must have been grinning ear to ear. Bought it right then. Put on cold air induction, 6 CD stereo, security system, and a beautiful red & black leather steering wheel. Later put on 7-spoke alloy wheels. I love my car, I find myself just "going for a ride" it is so much fun. Great car! Cheap, well made, efficient easy on gas and my insurance payment dropped. Of course it is easy to park and people come across parking lots to look at it and talk to me. My two German Shepherds love it too.

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  TC Scion - 2005 Scion TC
  By Herb - October 2 - 4:13 pm

  I really like the car, alot of people ask me who makes it! Great gas milage too!

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  jondrus xb - 2004 Scion XB
  By jondru - October 2 - 2:00 am

  i just like being in it...

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  see ya later landcruiser - 2013 Scion IQ
  By bosche - October 1 - 10:11 am

  I decided to buy this car in Los Angeles and drive it back to NYC. I almost purchased a Lexus LX 470...then i realized that there was no way i would ever find parking in the City. So I drove the southern route all the way back to NYC. I averaged about 36 mpg and was going 70 to 85 the entire way. it felt good on the hwy - it felt like any other small car. i rented a mini cooper the week before i purchased the 2013 IQ, and the mini was much more cramped, and 2+ feet longer. when i drove into nyc, i found a pkg spot very quickly, and have parked where no other cars could fit 4 out of 5 times. it is great!

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  Cant complain - 2009 Scion XB
  By gman - September 29 - 10:16 pm

  This car is super reliable and practical. Thats why I bought it and it didnt disappoint there. But I just dont find it very fun to drive, which is turning out to be more important to me than I thought. Also the interior feels a bit cheap and I find the ride to be jarring over rough pavement.

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  Longest Ive ever owned one car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Rocker Dad - September 29 - 1:56 am

  I bought my Scion after news of our second baby arrived, so the xB replaced a V8 Magnum Dodge Dakota 4x4 with extended cab (sweet truck). Hard as it was to trade in my cool & manly truck, I was thinking about 3 things: Ease of getting baby and belongings in and out; passenger room; and gas mileage (my truck guzzled gas!). I test drove several cars, including a new VW Jetta, but none of them had the gas mileage, ease of entry and egress, and passenger room as the xB. Considering my needs it was a no brainer. Ive never had a failure, breakdown, broken part, etc. with this car. It drives great in deep snow with cables, and the Pioneer stereo kicks. The features for the price were unbeatable.