# Toyota just killed the Scion brand **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157 "2016-02-04T18:15:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/21 "2016-02-05T04:39:07Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > The FR-S will continue on as a real Toyota. Or you can buy one now (mentioned above) as a Subaru BRZ. Oddly enough it starts $2000 cheaper, and Subaru isn’t known as a budget brand. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/22 "2016-02-05T04:42:13Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > If you remember Scion at all, it’s probably because of the Scion xB, that boxy little car that everyone thought looked like a toaster on wheels, and inspired a handful of equally-ugly knockoffs like the Nissan Cube. Actually the Cube has been available in Japan longer than the xB. The 1993 [Suzuki Wagon R](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Wagon_R) probably deserves credit for inspiring these compact boxy wagons. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/23 "2016-02-05T05:14:17Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Or you can buy one now (mentioned above) as a Subaru BRZ. Oddly enough it starts $2000 cheaper, and Subaru isn’t known as a budget brand. Wierd. When we were looking at them in 2013, the BRZ was more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/24 "2016-02-05T06:35:19Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Wierd. When we were looking at them in 2013, the BRZ was more expensive. That’s the starting number according to the official websites though. Adding options may change things. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/25 "2016-02-05T06:51:02Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > I would bet the salesperson actually showed you a Yaris. Moving from a Tercel to a Scion wouldn’t make much sense, especially at a Toyota dealer. Especially when a “scion” is not a particular model of car, but a brand. > > (I agree with you though, I wouldn’t be caught dead in a Yaris) We rented a Yaris once (our car was in the shop). I don’t EVER want to even be IN one again. I’m pretty sure most soup cans are heavier and can handle mild wind while in motion a bit better. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/26 "2016-02-05T11:11:13Z")
My husband drives a 2006 xB he bought new, he adores it. And I’ve been nibbling on crow for the last few years because when he got it I rolled my eyes and basically called it a toaster on wheels and said it’d never last. Well, said toaster now has 387k on it and is still chugging along nicely. I still don’t like it much, but I have to admire it! ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/27 "2016-02-05T13:21:56Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I always like the xB. We had the Kia knockoff, the Soul. They’re great city cars, but America’s car market is dominated by suburban sensibilities. Eventually, they’ll be another oil shock (there always is) and the market will correct itself. I was considering the xB but I ended up with Soul because I got a better deal. I thought I’d hate it. I’d had a Jeep for the last 10 years so I had to relearn how to drive a small car. I love my Soul! It’s well built, great on gas mileage, and perfect for commuting/doing errands. I wouldn’t recommend it for a road trip, however. Plus there’s the wind/small car thing which I’m still getting used to. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/28 "2016-02-05T13:31:43Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Probably some of the oddball Toyotas you saw would look eerily familiar on a Scion lot. Yeah, that was the impression I got. Also, there was a very common shuttle van - I think they called it a High 8 or something. Manual, essentially cab-over design. Don’t see that catching on here! 😉 What really shocked me was the prevalence of Hyundai. Probably even with Toyota, and the 2 combined easily made up for more than 1/2 the cars on the road. They also had some Chinese cars - I forget the names. Can’t recall every hearing of a Chinese car here in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/29 "2016-02-05T13:51:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > :mad: > > I have a 2011 Scion xB and I love it. I was waiting for an electric or hybrid version, then I was gonna trade mine. Looks like that’ll never happen now. > . A friend has the earlier, boxier xb – he’s a graphic designer and likes style in most things he buys. It’s a car that looks good from pretty much every angle. It’s a collection of lovely, intelligent, aesthetic decisions. When I read people calling it ugly, I wonder about their eye and their imagination. Also very roomy and wonderful mpg. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/30 "2016-02-05T14:09:08Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > Also very roomy and wonderful mpg. I didn’t care for the appearance, but my mind was blown at the space when I sat in one. I’m 6’3", and have never experienced headroom like that. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/31 "2016-02-05T14:11:47Z")
Shit, I love my xb. It’s the perfect size. It is the most comfortable small car I’ve ever been in. I wanted my next car to be an xb again. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/32 "2016-02-05T15:29:20Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Plus, I see xBs all over the place here in Las Vegas. Taxi companies use them, thousands of people own them. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > I didn’t care for the appearance, but my mind was blown at the space when I sat in one. I’m 6’3", and have never experienced headroom like that. My first time in one was one of those Vegas taxis, and I was also impressed with the room. I’d given serious thought to the xB as my possible next vehicle, but since my current truck probably has 5-10 years left in it, it looks like I’m out of luck. I’m hoping more manufacturers will figure out that you can make a smaller vehicle that doesn’t have to be a cramped piece of crap inside. I’d actually buy one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/33 "2016-02-05T18:39:13Z")
Scion’s sales took a complete dump to almost a quarter of what they were 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/34 "2016-02-05T19:38:17Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I didn’t care for the appearance, but my mind was blown at the space when I sat in one. I’m 6’3", and have never experienced headroom like that. Aye, I’m 6’4", so headroom was a must for me. I have almost a full hand-width of headroom when I sit up straight. The downside is that I can’t see traffic lights if I am closer than the 5th car in a lane. The upside is I got the 2011 Special Edition, which has a sunroof,so I look at traffic lights thru that. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/35 "2016-02-05T19:46:56Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > We rented a Yaris once (our car was in the shop). I don’t EVER want to even be IN one again. I’m pretty sure most soup cans are heavier and can handle mild wind while in motion a bit better. I owned a Yaris, and loved it. Zippy little stick shift that was great for a one person household. Sadly, an[oak tree](http://imgur.com/a/Q0CHu) [killed it](http://imgur.com/a/0M8Od) last summer. I wouldn’t even consider the Scion when the dealership tried to show them to me. When I was replacing the Yaris, I strongly considered the Kia Soul, but ended up finding a used Civic that’s good, albeit a boring automatic. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/36 "2016-02-07T06:20:17Z")
I don’t know what model it is, but my cousin has one. When she and her family fly someplace for vacation, I meet them at the airport and drive the car to my home then pick them up when they return. I think they have the kid’s car seat welded to the frame or something so I can’t take them in my car, and they save quite a bit on parking. I was rolling my eyes and kind of embarrassed the first time but I’ll be darned if it isn’t a blast to drive. It has quite a bit of zip. I wouldn’t buy one but if someone gave me one I’d be happy. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/37 "2016-02-07T18:32:21Z")
It’s a shame, because “Scion” is such a fun word to say. I have nothing to contribute about how good the car actually is. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/38 "2016-02-07T22:53:04Z")
I wasn’t paying much attention, I guess. I always thought “Scion” was a model like Corolla and not a “brand”. So I was reading the most recent _Consumer Reports_ last night and they did a review of a Scion something-or-other (_small_, cheap car). Um, it’s actually made by Mazda with Mazda parts. It really is a Toyota in name only. New brands for car makers already with a full range rarely work except for luxury and other expensive niches. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157/39 "2016-02-08T10:48:58Z")
Not a car I am familiar with but it looks a lot like a Nissan Cube. Here is a comparison review: [http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/comparison\_tests/scion\_xb\_vs\_nissan\_cube\_vs\_kia\_soul](http://www.motorweek.org/reviews/comparison_tests/scion_xb_vs_nissan_cube_vs_kia_soul) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-just-killed-the-scion-brand/745157.md?page=1)