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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Awesome! - 2008 Scion XD
  By JACKIE - August 23 - 9:26 am

  This vehicle is a blast to drive!! Wish the interior had more options not a big fan of black, or textured dashes. Going from a full size SUV to this was a change but I dont feel cramped in this vehicle.

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  remote control car - 2005 Scion xA
  By misha - August 22 - 9:40 am

  It feels like a go-kart, responsive but you feel all the bumps. Loud on the inside.

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  Supercharged Review - 2006 Scion TC
  By Rob - August 22 - 1:50 am

  Ive put 13,000 miles on my tC now in 6 months. Ive added the TRD supercharger to it and have driven on it for 7,000 miles. The car is a blast to drive. The power output with the supercharger is much higher than what TRD claimed (Ive had my car tested). The stock tires are quite crappy. Youll definitely need to replace them before too long. The supercharger is quiet and very reliable. The power output is good, yet not too much. The TRD supercharger is warrantied with the rest of my powertrain, so I feel comfortable about the extra power boost. If youre going to get the supercharger installed by a dealer, though, make sure they have done the installation before. This is the best car Ive owned.

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  A Bonanza for Baby-Boomers - 2005 Scion XB
  By egplant - August 20 - 3:10 pm

  Ive had nothing but fun with my xB. Only problems have been a vibration of the speedometer pod in the dash, and pieces of the front grille fell off initially because clips were not installed correctly. Im getting 33- 36 mpg. Love the sound system.

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  Almost Perfect - 2005 Scion xA
  By Frank Yake - August 19 - 11:26 pm

  We love the Scion xA! It is extremely well-equipped and comfortable for such a basic car. It has proven to be super-reliable and very economical to drive. It is also quite nimble. Although mostly used in suburban driving, weve taken a 1,800 mile plus trip to Nashville and back and enjoyed the drive, with one notable and irritating exception. What were the designers thinking when they didnt offer cruise control...even as an option?

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  My Cute Car - 2010 Scion XD
  By marji rogstad - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Love this car, would like arm rest however. Great pickup, but find the rear window being so small, have trouble seeing cars alongside me. blind spot).Love the higher seats--easy to get in and out.Brakes are a little touchy,Overall, I enjoy riding in this car, very comfortable. Most people who see it call it "cute". Ok by me.

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  Mileage not great but fun car! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Loveit - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I had wanted this car forever so I finally got it about a week ago. The sign on the window said "33 mpg". Right. It averages MAYBE 20 so far and thats highway miles. My VW did better than that and thats the reason I got rid of it! I NEEDED 33mpg. Anyway, love the car otherwise. I love the box, it is comfy, radio and sound is awesome and totally customizable.

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  NOISE - 2011 Scion XB
  By UNHAPPY - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Nice car at first then it hits you. Put just the rear windows down and the vortex sucks your eardrums out. Scion say that is normal in all cars. We all know that is not ture. Set the crusie contol on a long flat road and watch it speed up on it own. Scion claims that normal for all cat as well. Brakes have to be pumped to get it stop with out a jerk. Also listen as it down shifts and hear the clunk. Oh ya the windows rattle and the plastic comes lose as well.

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  The Best Car that Ive Ever Driven - 2005 Scion TC
  By dudechewy - August 16 - 9:20 pm

  I love this car It is a headturner and the drive is awesome. I like the fact that it is something new. No one has seen it around the area I live in so its something unique.

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  poor cup holders and no cruise control - 2004 Scion XB
  By Panorama - August 10 - 10:00 am

  roomy, good economy, quality, ugly. no cruise, and cup holders are worthless but..... a good buy for less than 15K