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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  A real alternative - 2005 Scion XB
  By Bob - August 10 - 5:26 am

  The Scion Xb is a joy to drive. It has a mileage return almost as good as a hybrid. The quality and fit are second to none. The standard features on another vehicle would add thousands to the price. On trips I often drive (once a week) eighty miles one way. The performance is supurb. I would reccomend this vehicle to anyone of any age desiring transportation with a flair and a very comfortable package as well.

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  My first new car - 2004 Scion xA
  By Suzykuntz - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I am a 55 year old widow. This Scion was sitting in the window and it was love at first sight. When the pleasent young man described all the features to me it was like they made it for me! I drove away with it 3HOURS later and I love it! People have actually stopped me at red lights to ask me what kind of car it was and to tell me how much they like it. Even my 3 grown children were pleased at my choice for my very first brand new car. It is so comfortable and so much fun to drive. I would reccomend the Scion to any one who wants a good looking,fun car with praticality.

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  Great on Gas! - 2004 Scion XB
  By anniegirl1 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased vehicle. Cheap price. Very roomy inside with lots of features. Great on gas, 1 tank lasts me at least 2 weeks. Great pickup, great sounds (comes standard with car). Pioneer radio with 6 speakers.

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  Superior - 2004 Scion XB
  By LuckyBabyBlue03 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I think it takes a bit to get used to the look of the vehicle, as it did for me, however, the design is modern, the interior is spacious, the milage per gallon is outstanding for what i consider an SUV type, i love this vehicle, i dont think there was a better choice out there.

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  Stylish, sporty, and practical - 2008 Scion TC
  By shawn - August 9 - 1:30 am

  Because of reliability issues, I traded a 2000 VW Jetta for this car and have gotten more horsepower, more fuel economy, and next to no maintenance/reliability hassles. It has the look of an expensive infinity or Lexus sports cars. However, despite how the scion brand encourages owners to customize, there is no choice in interior colors and leather upgrades are very limited to seating only. There is lots of road noise and the ride is very firm, but considering this is probably how most sports cars ride I suppose it adds to the feel.

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  Ask the Dealership to order you a 2011 - 2011 Scion XB
  By Edward - August 8 - 5:53 am

  We purchased our XB last week and are extremely happy with the vehicle! We purchased this car after comparing it against other compact cars on the market, and it totally fits our needs. We wanted a compact car that would not crush our kids in the back seat, an engine that was a 2.4L, good fuel economy, and something that could hold luggage in the truck. No other compact car fit our criteria except this one. WeÂ’ve put 800 miles on the car so far and have averaged 26.2 miles per tank of gas. If youÂ’re in the market for a 2010, ask the dealer to bring in a 2011, because youÂ’ll love the changes. We were sold on the 2010, but when we when saw the change. Great car for the money!!!!!

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  Love my toaster car! - 2006 Scion XB
  By jacksgrandma - August 7 - 11:33 pm

  I purchased my Scion XB brand new in "06 with 6 miles on the speedometer. I use it like a cargo van for my business. It can hold two huge white Igloo ice chests with room to spare plus two bikes and a kayak on top for camping. I had mine fitted with a Yakima rack system on top. I get great milage unless its loaded down. Normal Hwy is 36 mpg with two people and minimal baggage. It only gets about twenty when loaded down, but wth, It beats driving my one ton truck.

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  Cute Car - 2006 Scion xA
  By joe - August 5 - 3:46 am

  The Scion xA is a nice little car. Its great around town, but surprisingly good on the interstate as well. People ask about it all the time.

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  I Love It! - 2007 Scion TC
  By kbradt - August 5 - 12:56 am

  The scion tC is a wonderful car! It is fun to drive and is made very well. I would recommend this car to everyone interested in a sporty yet comfortable vehicle.

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  A good box at a good price - 2005 Scion XB
  By SteveAndersonTX - August 4 - 10:00 am

  The xB is an excellent commuter vehicle for anyone who needs to drive a long distance each day. It is well designed, fun to drive, and relatively comfortable. The price point is excellent for toyota quality. Bear in mind that this is a very basic vehicle, and it will not beat anyone off the line. However, it is fun to drive, and comes with some excellent standard features like ABS and keyless entry, to name a few. Everyone has reacted positively to the unique design, once they see it up close, they really like it. I love this car!!, highly recommended for the daily commuter, no matter how old or young you are.