Scion, a brand full of youthful vigor launched by Toyota in 2004, has an average 7/10 rating from Car & Driver. Scion built several affordable, stylish, reliable, and sporty vehicles while in production until 2016 when the brand was re-absorbed into the parent company.
While only in existence for a bit more than a decade, Scion made a name for itself as Toyota’s effort to target trendy, youthful drivers with a new line of affordable-yet-fetching vehicles. While the brand was pulled back into the realm of the Toyota mothership in 2016, several Scion models were rebranded as Toyotas—the FR-S became the 86, the iA became a version of the Yaris, and the iM became a version of the Corolla
. Here to break the now-defunct Scion brand down for you is Jerry
, the car insurance
broker and comparison shopping super app! We’ll take a closer look at some Scion models and examine their reliability, affordability, safety, and other features. We can even help you find the lowest Toyota insurance costs
. Are Scions good cars?
Despite their brief time in existence, Scions made their mark as remarkably durable, affordable, and fun cars to drive—in fact, Car & Driver Magazine gave the 2016 Scion FR-S a sterling 10/10 overall grade. This no doubt pleased the tall foreheads at Toyota (though…not enough, apparently) who saw the Scion as a youth-friendly line of cars that would diversify the automaker’s audience with an edgy new product line.
Scions were known to offer just one trim on their models, but many options were available for each vehicle. Who knows how Scions might have continued to reshape Toyota’s image had the brand been able to exist for longer than it did. But alas, we’re left to inspect the ruins of the Scion brand. So, here’s a look at Scion’s 2016 lineup—aka its final trip around the sun.
Are Scions reliable?
When thinking about how reliable a car is, you want to think about how often your car breaks down
and how affordable it is (or isn’t). Generally, you also want to look for solid warranties, reasonable repair costs, and infrequent recalls—these are usually the hallmarks of a reliable brand. Scions might not be of this earth anymore, but used ones are generally regarded as excellent buys due to their reliability, affordability, safety, and overall value. Considering Scion was an offshoot of Toyota, the brand’s overall reliability shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
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Are Scions safe?
Overall, Scions are considered to be very safe.The 2016 Scion iA was voted a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and most other vehicles in the 2016 lineup received top marks from either the IIHS and/or the NHTSA.
What makes Scions overwhelmingly safe vehicles? Most Scions came with many of the following safety features:
Vehicle stability control
Forward collision mitigation system
Driver & front passenger airbags
Here’s a rundown of Scion’s safety ratings and recalls:
4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
Are Scions expensive to maintain?
According to RepairPal, Scions are inexpensive to maintain with a yearly average of $467—well below the U.S. average and in line with average Toyota maintenance costs
. The best way to ensure your Scion stays trouble-free is to follow Toyota's suggested maintenance schedule. This will ensure your already-used Scion stays on the road for many years and many thousands of miles. The Scion with the most complaints was the Scion tC hatchback, which logged 170 complaints according to CarComplaints.com.The worst year for the tC was 2007, with excessive oil consumption being a recurring problem.
Are Scions good on gas?
With an average fuel economy of 29.8 miles per gallon, Scions would rank near the top of contemporary vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency if they were still being produced.
Here are the fuel economy numbers for Scion’s last cohort, its 2016 models:
Generally speaking, the size of your engine will dictate your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you have a bigger, more powerful engine, your fuel efficiency will be lower. A less powerful engine offers better fuel economy. If you’re a speed demon or an environmentalist, it's clear which engine would work better for you.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
Are Scions fun to drive?
Scions can be great fun to drive. But at the end of the day, what’s fun for one driver might not be for another—it’s all up to your tastes and what you can afford.
What’s the best Scion?
The best Scion is in the eye of the beholder, but the FR-S is generally considered the best of the 2016 lineup.
FR-S: sharp driving demeanor, refined powertrain, and beautiful cabin
iA: an excellent blend of style and substance, offering lots of amenities—especially for what many considered a basic car
iM: offers versatility and affordability, but wasn’t exactly considered a thrill to drive
How to find affordable Scion insurance
On average it costs $2,282 annually for full coverage for a Scion—nearly $400 less than it costs to insure a Toyota with full coverage.
If you’re looking to score a robust car insurance policy, you can do so with Jerry
. Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then our trustworthy insurance shopping super app
gets to work comparing more than 50 top quotes to find you the best policies at the best prices. Better yet, Jerry automatically searches for better rates on your behalf before each renewal period. Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!
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