For more than a decade, Toyota’s Scion brand has attempted to attract young buyers who might not have otherwise considered a Toyota-branded car. From the original, charming xA boxy hatch to the rear-drive FR-S sports car, check out highlights from Scion’s history here.
2004-2006 Scion xA
Based on the Japanese domestic market Toyota ist, the less polarizing, more traditionally shaped xA was thought be the brand’s break out star. Instead it was outsold by its boxier baby brother, xB, and replaced in 2 years by the xD.
2004-2006 Scion xB
With only 108 horsepower and lunch pail styling, the xB was the unlikely star of the two-car brand. Based on the JDM Toyota bB, xB became synonymous with Scion and its youth-is-king approach. Its popularity resulted in a second generation designed specifically for the U.S. as well as at least one copycat in the Kia Soul.
2005-2010 Scion tC
The first-generation tC was Scion’s greatest success story, with just over 79,000 sold in 2006, and a distillation of the brand’s core values: a low base price and surprisingly comprehensive feature set (the tC offered a smart key, panoramic roof, and automatic climate control system, a first at such a low price point).
2008-2014 Scion xD
Built to replace the xA, the xD was based on the second generation Toyota ist and received key upgrades, including an engine bumped up to 1.8 liters and 128 horsepower. This increase in output along with interior upgrades and slightly sharper sheetmetal didn’t have the intended effect. Sales dropped off soon after launch and never achieved much momentum.
2008-2015 Scion xB
Proof that bigger isn’t always better: despite gaining 12 inches in length, 2.8 inches in width, and 600 pounds to appeal to the wants of the U.S. market, the second-generation xB never reached the cult status of the first generation. Critics blamed the lack of “JDM appeal”; design was based on the T2B concept, which was penned for U.S. tastes.
2011-2016 Scion tC
Though sharper, more powerful and better handling, the second-generation tC never managed the sales success of the first generation, perhaps because the initial thrill was gone. It was during this tC’s lifecycle that the whispers began about the brand’s demise. Multiple special editions and a mid-cycle refresh for 2014 couldn’t stop the murmurs.
2012-2015 Scion iQ
Without question, the brand’s biggest miss. Scion thought youth wanted a Smart-like city car with room for three adults and a small child or dog. Despite some minor buzz about a deal with Aston Martin – rebadging the iQ so that a couple wealthy DB9 owners could avoid London’s congestion charge – sales of the iQ languished.
2013-2016 Scion FR-S
News that Toyota would develop an entry-level, honest-to-goodness rear-drive sports coupe whipped enthusiasts and tuners into a frenzy. And the highly anticipated Scion FR-S certainly over-delivered on the smiles to dollars equation. But without Toyota’s marketing muscle, sales were doomed to lag from the get go. Thankfully, the FR-S returns for the 2017 model year as a Toyota.
2016 Scion iA
Though content-rich and supremely affordable, the iA was seen as Scion at its most cynical. Where was the surprise in a Mazda2 sedan rebadged as a Scion? If you’re looking for a smoking gun, this is probably it.
2016 Scion iM
Like the Toyota Auris upon which it is based, the Scion iM is a fine car that upholds the brand ethos of high content for a low price. It looks pretty good, drives OK, and has some surprisingly nice touches. It wasn’t too little, just too late.
The post So Long Scion! A History of Toyota’s Youth-Centric Brand appeared first on Motor Trend.
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