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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 - 2008 Scion XD
  By annez37 - April 18 - 1:36 pm

  We looked at the Pontiac Vibe and a Kia, this car was the most bang for the buck. We got it at the TMV, there was no negotiating. Standard features on the Scion were extras on the other cars we looked at. It drives like a big car, every time I get out of it, I look at it and cant believe how small it is! The Pioneer stereo/cd are great. Cant go wrong with Toyota. 42 mpg highway so far.

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  2005 Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By eporter - April 17 - 3:06 am

  My Scion xA is wonderful. Not only is it different and awesome to drive but the gas mileage is great. This car is perfect because it fits my personality. It is the only car I have seen that you can choose so many different accessories. I picked out everything down to the wheels and its great. I couldnt be happier with my Scion!

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  not your fathers toyota - 2007 Scion TC
  By not-a-kid - April 16 - 7:03 am

  Read previous reviews. I have experienced some of the problems, poor clutch feel out of first, radio door cover squeak, road noise with sunroof open but overall a good looking fun car with good economy and reliability. One feature no one has mentioned is easy access to the oil filter. I can change the oil without lifting the car. Try that on your civic/rsx! Could use a rear wiper and more LEDs on the high mount tailight.

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  The xB is a Great Choice. - 2005 Scion XB
  By Jack - April 14 - 5:23 am

  I have driven my Scion xB about 24,000 miles and it still feels like new. Great job Toyota! My gas milage is consistently around 33 mpg, however when crusing at around 75 mph it drops as low as 29 (Its difficult to push a brick through the air). My highest tankfull mpg was 38. Yes, I would buy another, it is practical, boxy, well designed, and well built.

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  Great car for fair price - 2008 Scion TC
  By Zed1003 - April 14 - 3:53 am

  This is a great car for a young person. Not a lot of head room so anyone of 62 this aint the car for you. All the available options are awesome and cheap compared to other places. Good handling and well built. The paint is very thin, I would put a coat of wax on the car as soon as I bought it Toyota is famous for thin paint. But this is an awesome car, I would recommend it to anyone. It is an eye catcher on the road and girls love them guys. I would suggest that they add a rear windsheild wiper. I love this car though and I would buy another one tommorow just not in black again. Fun car to drive.

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  I would do it again. - 2008 Scion XB
  By Scionhappy - April 14 - 3:20 am

  I love my scion xb. I am happy with just over 24 mpg in town driving and over 30 on the interstate. I was unsure at first but quickly fell in love with this car.

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  i love this car.. - 2005 Scion TC
  By shane miller - April 13 - 3:53 am

  i love this car... and how can you go wrong with a toyota. i have been waiting to get this car for a while and i love that i am one of the few owners that i know who own a scion. everyone asks, what kind of car is that.? and i tell them and they have never heard of it.. i like being different and having a car that i never see on the road. i love the whole line up of scions, but the tc is the best looking of the three. i would reccomend to any one to test drive this car and they are gauranteed to love it. its very smooth and quick.. toyota has done it again..and you cant beat the price unless you drive a kia... no thanks. i love my scion tc and i will stick with toyota forever.

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  Amazing !! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Sabrina - April 10 - 10:46 am

  This is my first brand new car and it is awesome. The standard features are not what most companies would consider standrad. As Ive driven my car Ive noticed all the little things that make this car so cool. All you need to do is shift into a different gear, step on the gas, and you will know that this car has power! I couldnt be happier. And the "pure pricing" that Scion uses makes getting your Scion they way you want it very easy.

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  If Youre thinking of Buying...Buy NEW! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Brandi - April 9 - 3:36 pm

  I bought my tC about a week ago. When I went out on the lot I didnt even give the car a second look because it looked too expensive for my budget, but when the representative told me he thought he could get me in it, I was amazed. However, the next day I realized how dumb I was, we bought the car with 14,000 miles on it, and we could have gotten a brand new one for close to the same price. So, basically, if youre looking to buy one, buy it brand new, order it off the computer yourself so that you get the options you want.

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  So far has been a great ride!!! - 2007 Scion TC
  By sizzletyme06 - April 8 - 5:38 am

  I just bought my 2007 TC about a month and a half ago with 81,000 miles on it. Ive put a little over 4,000 on it with no problems as of yet and drive about 60 -70 miles a day round trip to work getting right around 30 mpg. Love the handling and acceleration, car looks great, constantly getting compliments and looks where ever I go. Im 65" and think that the car has plenty of room for the driver but is a bit tight in the back seat. Smoking in the car is nearly impossible though. The ashes come right back into the car and is nearly unavoidable so am finding myself cleaning the interior quite a bit which isnt very fun but all cars have there down fall and not everyone smokes! lol