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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Wow! - 2008 Scion XD
  By XD Fan - November 28 - 1:16 pm

  We just traded in our gas guzzling minivan for this cute little car and what a great decision it was. The dealership did not budge on the $15,700 sticker price for the base model (which was loaded - no complaints there) with the manual transmission but it was still a fabulous price. We are averaging 38 combined city/hwy mph and a whopping 41 mpg on the highway. No more filling up at $102 a pop. This car sips! We love the ride and there is plenty of room for the kids in the back. Only downfall is that darn arm rest - a driver and passenger one would be nice. Other than that, this is a great car for the money and we highly recommend it. Cant wait to drive it in the snow.

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  iQ: innovative Quality in a Small Package - 2012 Scion IQ
  By iqruzn - November 28 - 7:47 am

  I picked up my Scion iQ 3 weeks ago and absolutely love it. I paid $17K including taxes and fees. While it might seem expensive to some, think of it as buying a premium little car with Toyota reliability and Scion style. With the passenger seat pushed forward you can accommodate a 3rd adult passenger in the back seat, but it is in essence a comfortable 2 seater. With the 50/50 split rear seats down the cargo volume is significantly increased. The exterior is stylish and striking, and thanks to my Hot Lava paint job Im turning heads. This is the most fun I have ever had owning a vehicle. If youre looking for a fun, fuel efficient, reliable, stylish, premium 2 seater, then the iQ is for you.

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  Scions - 2006 Scion xA
  By Brithany - November 27 - 9:50 pm

  It is the best car for just transportation or for your first car for your teen!

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  I know people take glances at my xB... - 2005 Scion XB
  By hawaiiguy - November 27 - 4:56 am

  I was not going to purchase this vehicle, told the salesperson it was ugly, but I changed my decision within 15 minutes on the showroom floor. The room it had inside, the ergonomics within, the feel of the seats and its comfort. Now with exactlly 3 months of use, it has put a smile on my face with all the attention it has brought. Adding low profile tires and rims have given it even more glare factor! I get about 32 mpg overall with and without using a/c (60% with a/c on)., the stock tires handle curves pretty well. Have the windows tinted, as it will also enhance and cool down the interior temperatures, along with providing UV protection.

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  Just about a Perfect 10 - 2008 Scion XD
  By Noel L. - November 27 - 2:43 am

  This Scion brings back good memories of my first Honda CRX. And its just that, a memory. When Saab says that their cars were born from aircraft concepts, this Scion can claim the same--in spades. From the intelligence systems of the engine and brakes to the VSD option, this car screams ultra-high tech in all the right places. For all the standard features, this car is extravagant when considering the price and ownership costs to all of Europes fragile models. From fit/finish/handling and roominess to a mild carbon footprint, the xD delivers like an F-14 Tomcat. This will become the old Beetle of our generation-- vintage classy with stealth technology.

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  THIS IS THE CAR TO OWN! - 2009 Scion XB
  By thepkusa - November 26 - 11:33 am

  I had a 2006 Scion xB - loved it! But wanted more comfort, so got the 2009. Feels and drives like a Camry, with all the amenities of a small SUV. Absolutely LOVE it - would buy another one in a heartbeat!

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  Awesome car, Terrible dealership - 2006 Scion TC
  By Lourie - November 26 - 11:03 am

  I got my car in June, and I absolutely love it! I got it for a great price, and it is so much fun to drive. Theres so many aftermarket parts too, so its extremely easy to customize your car to make it solely yours. I got hit pretty badly toward the end of August in my car, and I wasnt hurt at all, which was pretty surprising. And much to my surprise, the car wasnt too expensive to fix either. Overall, I dont feel like I could have made a better choice buying this car.

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  My Wife Loves It !!! - 2008 Scion XD
  By Shella - November 24 - 11:50 pm

  I recently bought the Scion xD for my wife and all she does is talk about her car. The ride, performance, and safety features exceed my expectations. If I had an opportunity to change anything about this car, it would be to lower the road noise some. Its a little noisy on rougher roads. My wife and I are both impressed with everything else. Very happy.

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  Almost perfect - 2006 Scion XB
  By warren - November 21 - 12:20 pm

  My Scion xB is black. It is so fun to drive. It evokes very curious responses from people. My wife and kids thought I was joking when I bought it. My teenage son vowed to never drive it and thought it was very uncool. It has excellent brakes. I made a panic stop yesterday from about 30 mph. and the ABS stopped it hard and straight. Without it, the wheels would have locked up and I would have slid into the car ahead of me. The Scion is quick enough from 0-30, but its acceleration is almost nil at speeds beyond 40 mph. In other words, passing on the freeway happens slowly. On a drive from San Francisco to LA recently, down I-5 and it hummed along at 75 mph no problem.

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  Great but stiff - 2005 Scion XB
  By sicvolo - November 20 - 12:53 am

  A lot of car for the money! ABS, stability, traction control, power everything and a great gas milage. Turns heads and very roomy. Couple drawbacks - a rather too stiff suspension, makes a bumpy ride on a bad road. It also has small luggage space unless you fold the rear seats. Otherwise a great car!