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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  So much promise until you drive it!!!! - 2005 Scion TC
  By brandell99 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking at this car since it was introduced at the major auto shows. I was so exicted to test drive it. But I was so disappointed when I finally had the opportunity. I am 61" tall and my head brushed against the moonroof even with the seat at its lowest. The car had to get moving before there was brisk accelleration. The handelling felt average especially on a car with such large tires. The interior looked cheap and too plain. The car shifted well with a short throw. Braking was also very good. But the car just feels like a $16000 car. Overall car lacks refinement.

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  Not as great as I 1st thought - 2005 Scion TC
  By jagon91 - July 6 - 6:20 am

  When i first purchased the car i was excited and it seemed like a pretty sporty car until i used it for a few months and realize it really isnt. it is sluggish and in the manual you are in 5th gear befor 45 or else it just feels strange driving around. i just want a car that i dont have to shift gears before i am halfway through an intersection. build quality is a joke. over time i have found at least 5 different rattles from all over the car. oh and my rear hatch handle straight up came off. repairs cost over 300 if not under warranty anymore and is a well known problem that scion refuses to deal with.

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  Bad Gas Mileage/Frequent Visits to the Shop - 2006 Scion xA
  By igobye - June 26 - 1:53 pm

  At 28,000 miles the best mileage Ive gotten is 36 mpg once. Most of the time Im lucky to get 33 mpg highway. I commute 90 miles daily and Im not getting the mileage that I expected, which was one key factor in choosing the car. When I asked a Scion dealership about it, I was given the same excuse others have been - those are just estimates and there is not much they can do about it. On top of the gas mileage issue, my car has been in the shop three times. The first time was to to replace the radio that changed channels by itself. The second time to replace the Camhead assembly and the third time it was leaking between where the gas nozzle goes and the tank. It was all warranty work, but Im almost out of warranty - then what? At this rate Ill be broke.

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  Love It - 2006 Scion xA
  By Afaq Syed - June 24 - 6:53 am

  This car is incredible. I was working on a tight budget. After test driving three cars, the salesperson showed me this car. The long list of standard items was impressive. After taking it out for the test drive I found it to be very responsive and fun driving and decided to buy it. I bought a Toyota Camry 6 months back. I wish I had test driven this car before I had brought my Camry. I think this car is a true value down to every penny.

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  Definately worth the money - 2008 Scion XB
  By jusbuyxb - June 23 - 8:22 am

  Because I have had some experience with Toyotas, I went with the XB. For a toaster on wheels it is not that bad. The 08 has the rounded corners, didnt like the square styling. I heard some issues about heavy oil consumption. What I do is put a honey oil additive in the engine to prevent a lot of these problems. At 70K, still running like a champ. I think most people dont think about the additives to the tranny and eng which definitely make the difference. My wife loves it and coming off an American car binge my whole life, I dont mind the plasticky feel of the Scion. My wife had a PT Cruiser, or should I say PT Loser @19MPG average and now is happy with the XB @24MPG.

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  Poor Replacement for the Celica - 2006 Scion TC
  By J. Cooper - June 11 - 1:23 am

  I went to the dealership ready to trade in my 92 Celica (one of the greatest toyotas ever made). The Celica I thought had made me a Toyota driver for life. I just couldnt do it. I saw the tC and sat in it and I loved it. Then I drove it. It was not teribly powerful, kind of peppy but not very and it handeled like Id expect a large sedan not a small coupe. It weighs at least 500 lbs. more than it should with most of the weight up front. This car plows like no other car Ive driven (plowing is not a good thing).

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  2007 Scion tC - 2007 Scion TC
  By Praetorian - June 9 - 8:20 am

  This car is fun to drive. The inside is nothing special. About one year after buying it, the windows makes rattling noise when on highway. Also, the trunk rattles during normal driving (the dealership states it is the car and there is no fixing it). The radio cover rattles as well =-( . Other than that, I have had no problems

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  Nice Little Car - 2011 Scion XD
  By paul_blood - June 4 - 12:09 pm

  I have only owned my little xD for two months and 1500 miles so this isnt a long term review. The car has plenty of power and handles well for its price range. I am averaging 30 mpg driving about 40% city, 60% hwy. I love pulling up at the gas pump, asking for $10 and watching the fuel gauge go up 1/3rd of a tank.

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  Wonderful Little Car! - 2004 Scion xA
  By moonbeam - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for little over 2 months and I love it. Its my first car and Ive been learning how to drive with it so I can commute to work (90 miles daily). So far the only problems Ive had are the brakes squeaking occasionally and the light/flying feeling I get when Im on the highway (going 65mph)! It definately needs more power because its hard to go uphill-but other than that its a great first car, easy to park, and fun to drive. I get quite a few people looking at it and asking me what it is! I had to take the backseat headrests out because it was blocking my view-but since I dont ever sit in the back, its fine with me!

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  Unique looking car - 2006 Scion XB
  By s moore - May 10 - 6:33 pm

  Cheap sounding rear hatch when closing. Be careful opening if not unlocked plastic mechanism will break. (replaced under warranty.) Good gas mileage (30) road, less than sticker indicated, checked several times. Arm rest optional, should be std. Little noisy on road at high speeds. Will not hold speed using cruise controls on hills and noisy when cruise downshifts. Std. Cruise would be nice, currently optional. Handles well on mountain curves. Needs additional lighting in rear interior. Wish I had waited for 08 as it is about 1 ft. longer. I need the extra space as I am in sales and need the room for catalogs and samples. Overall this car is acceptable given the reasonable price