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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  I Love It - 2005 Scion xA
  By SharpiesAreNifty - January 21 - 12:56 pm

  I recommend this car to anyone and everyone! Its wonderful! Its small, so it gets terrific gas mileage, but its spacious. I can sit three people in the backseat and none of them complain!

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  Great little car, but needs some help - 2006 Scion xA
  By Rick - January 21 - 11:43 am

  Seat comfort, storage capacity, fun factor, and economy of the xA are all outstanding. It has two major design faults though. 1. The "cold start" process keeps the vehicle in a lower gear for far too long when the engine is cold. This forces the revs to go far beyond what we have learned to be prudent. The automatic transmission will also not go into 4th speed (overdrive) until the engine has reached the "warm" status. The only practical alternative to prevent engine over-reving into the 2.5K range when it is cold is to let it run for 5 min in the driveway. This defeats the entire purpose! 2. The auto transmission needs a 5th gear. 70 mph needs 3,000 plus rpm on level ground. Still, this is a great little car...I love it!

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  My cool "Box" on wheels :) - 2004 Scion XB
  By Dustin Branton - January 21 - 10:00 am

  No hassle buying experience. Love it or hate it looks, we love it. Some really cool options. Great interior design and space. Fuel economy 30/34! Fun to drive.

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  Great bang for your buck! - 2006 Scion TC
  By Wheels8716 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Great fit and finish with nice exterior details. We get stopped all of the time with questions about the car. Looks great in silver! The tC has a very good ride/handling balance. It is a firm ride, but not bone jarring. Great performance for a 4cylinder automatic. Fun to drive and I would recommend to anyone.

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  Scion xD - 2008 Scion XD
  By melissa - January 20 - 9:56 am

  This car is fun to drive. I think that it gets good gas mileage, and has lots of space to fit five passengers.

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  Scion over Pontiac - 2006 Scion xA
  By Stacey - January 20 - 9:50 am

  I love my aA. The day we bought it is the last day I drove my husbands Pontiac. It is such a joy to drive, comfortable and yet it still has a bit of attitude. People are always asking if they can look inside. It is much roomier than you would think. My husband is 62" and has enought leg room. Even with the high price of gas we have taken more road trips this year in the xA because of the fact that we get 300 miles to a tank of gas.

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  A Fun Car - 2005 Scion TC
  By Jay - January 20 - 12:23 am

  I am over 70 and have ownwd cars three times the price of my tC. However, I have never been as fond of an automobile as I am of this one. It handles as if I am part of the road and I find the seats most comfortable and with more than ample room. My tC has features that are not present in my wifes full-size sedan. The radio and sound system are quite satisfactory and the controls are attractive as well as well-placed. While simple in design, I find the exterior lines attractive. I am a large person, yet find more than ample leg and head room. While certainly not a "family" car, I would certainly recommend the Scion tC to anyone looking for a fun second car.

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  a car not just for teens - 2005 Scion XB
  By caerpa - January 16 - 9:56 pm

  Car has no gray areas. People either love it, or hate it. For the dollar, it is one of the best cars I have ever purchased/.;

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  Moms and Tall Adults - 2005 Scion TC
  By tall cip - January 16 - 8:50 am

  Im a tall mom, 510, and love my car! It has a great look, my two kids love to pick their friends up in it! It also is a comfortable car. Its easy to drive around the city. I have never had a problem with it! I can grocery shop in it also! :-) Its gas mileage is great, my avg. is 10 days before filling up. Toyota has done its job keeping moms young and alive. :-) This car is definitely a keeper, a hand-me-down for a teenager. Try one, buy one, and have fun!

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  Looks like it cost twice as much! - 2005 Scion TC
  By rgs - January 15 - 10:00 am

  This is one heck of a deal for a small sporty car. There is nothing else out there that feels this solid, comes with 17" rims and a sunroof and looks this good.