Scion Customer Reviews

Pros

• Interior Space

  Excellent car. I’ve been driving mine for almost 21 years and it just keeps going. I have had only five major repairs in 21 years. The breaks in the XA lasted 20 years before needing replacement. I even had a battery last 11 years in my XA. I can fit 10 2x4s in my car. I’ve even loaded it with over 500 pounds of landscaping rocks…and it just keeps going.

• Fuel Economy

  Still gets excellent gas mileage after 20 years, though I have been using high mileage fuel injector cleaner and put new spark plugs in and it just keeps going.

• Dashboard

  I love the speedometer in the center of the dash.

Cons

• Power

  It doesn’t have a lot of power but with my five-speed I can manage. Just go in a lower gear and drive smart. Doesn’t accelerate fast, though I can get going pretty quick with the manual transmission—my drive safe and save always tells me I accelerate too fast one of the slowest accelerating cars ever. It also goes great if you know what you’re doing through snow and ice. I’ve driven past many a 4x4 truck and SUV stuck in the snow and my little car just putts on by. I obviously accepted the cons of this lovely little car—it’s not the size or power it’s how you use it.

• Braking

  I don’t know how the brakes go bad. I used the same ones for twenty years. With my car you just let up on the gas and it starts slowing down with minimal braking requirement. Eventually, of course, you must apply the brakes.

• Visibility

  There are some blind spots in my hatchback but I have learned to account for them. And I had to take off all the back passenger seat head supports because they blocked my rear view.

Pros

• Interior Space

  Excellent car. I’ve been driving mine for almost 21 years and it just keeps going. I have had only five major repairs in 21 years. The breaks in the XA lasted 20 years before needing replacement. I even had a battery last 11 years in my XA. I can fit 10 2x4s in my car. I’ve even loaded it with over 500 pounds of landscaping rocks…and it just keeps going.

• Fuel Economy

  Still gets excellent gas mileage after 20 years, though I have been using high mileage fuel injector cleaner and put new spark plugs in and it just keeps going.

• Dashboard

  I love the speedometer in the center of the dash.

Cons

• Power

  It doesn’t have a lot of power but with my five-speed I can manage. Just go in a lower gear and drive smart. Doesn’t accelerate fast, though I can get going pretty quick with the manual transmission—my drive safe and save always tells me I accelerate too fast one of the slowest accelerating cars ever. It also goes great if you know what you’re doing through snow and ice. I’ve driven past many a 4x4 truck and SUV stuck in the snow and my little car just putts on by. I obviously accepted the cons of this lovely little car—it’s not the size or power it’s how you use it.

• Braking

  I don’t know how the brakes go bad. I used the same ones for twenty years. With my car you just let up on the gas and it starts slowing down with minimal braking requirement. Eventually, of course, you must apply the brakes.

• Visibility

  There are some blind spots in my hatchback but I have learned to account for them. And I had to take off all the back passenger seat head supports because they blocked my rear view.

Pros

• Reliability

  Made by Toyota, the Scion is built to last!

• Interior Space

Cons

Pros

• Value

  Low Miles, looks like new. Clearly a garage car.

• Ride and Handling

  While not a sports car, I would say sporty

• Fuel Economy

  Goes forever on a tank

Cons

Pros

• Ride and Handling

  I went from a FWD 1989 Toyota Corolla station wagon to this and obviously it’s a massive difference. I’ve driven all kinds corvettes (C6 - C8), Camaros (Base to ZL1 and track packages) yet this car, for what it is, is amazing. I have heard about some horror stories about the FA20 not being reliable and drinks oil but so far I haven’t ran into any issues yet probably due cause I haven’t had her over a year yet. But, the car handles amazingly! I’m definitely doing a more track focused build when I pay off my loan 🫠 and the ride of the car is super smooth yet touchy. This is also my first manual car because I wanted to learn and this car honestly is perfect. I would HIGHLY recommend this car for anyone that likes a car that’s quick, flashy, and reliable. I mean…it is a sports car! (also has a pretty good resale value since most people now days want a RWD manual small wheel base car so they can drift)

• Reliability

  I can give her all the gas to Mexico and back. Still have probably half a tank or less……realistically, I fill her up every week to a week and a half. This is my daily and she takes premium fuel only! Cost me around maybe….$35 every Saturday or if I stretch it out every Wednesday. Yet, your still in a clean sports car!

• Styling

  Looks and sounds amazing. 3rd gear to the floor in low rpm brings out a deep roar that echos and bounces off walls. When people look it’s like no one has ever heard a stock Scion sound like that! LUL

Cons

• Power

  This is one of the cons of owning a FRS of any kind I’m pretty sure. The low end toque when you floor the car. Obviously depends on what gear your in but still takes about 2 seconds to get up and go if your rolling and put it in another gear. Yet the car only makes 200hp so I don’t expect it to be insanely fast

• Cost to Maintain

  No to much on “maintaining” but, the spark plugs are on the side of the motor like a rotary motor. So, if I take this to a dealer, you’re already looking at a ton of money to just change your plugs! (I’m just assuming this I haven’t do it myself yet.) Not to mention the oil filter is upside down on top of the motor. I’ve never seen anything like that before until I opened my hood and saw that. Will have to try and look up a tutorial on how to do an oil change on this car 😂

• Weather Versatility

  I will say having a manual car in the rain with small 215s in the rear can be kind of scary. I’m not a huge fan of driving in the rain in general but, just a tad too hard on the throttle you’ll start to spin. Even if the roads been dry for a couple hours and still slick, the car will kick out and try to drift if you apply to much throttle. Hints why everyone wants a car like this to drift with

Pros

• Technology and Entertainment

  For 2012 technology it works really well with tech 10 years ahead of its time. No apple carplay but Bluetooth audio works great and phone calls work surprisingly well. While the car doesn't have sub woofers standard, the stereo packs a good punch and its pretty easy to add accessories if that's your thing.

• Styling

  Definitely was ahead of its time, ages really well in 2023.

• Power

  Has a decent amount of pep for a 2.5L engine. Can definitely get out of its own way. Pretty fun for a FWD even in stock form. If your wanting to modify the engine a bunch, stick to a civic or focus ST as there aren't hardly any engine performance parts anymore.

Cons

• Visibility

  Blind spots aren't to great but there manageable for the most part, definitely look twice before changing lanes lol.

• Fuel Economy

  Fuel economy isn't terrible for a 2.5L engine but if your wanting 25-30 mpg in stop and go traffic Id recommend something with a smaller motor i.e. 1.8 or 2.0L.

Pros

• Fuel Economy

  37to 44 miles a gallon

• Cost to Maintain

  to me never breaks down

• Cargo Space

  seats go down to the floor lots of cargo space

Cons

• Cabin Noise

  a little wind noise

• Technology and Entertainment

  radio could be updated

• Power

  it's not as fast as the new car

Pros

• Fuel Economy

  Coming from an SUV, the 28mpg I average is a dream.

• Power

  This car really is powerful, she purrs and can really get going

• Styling

  This is a really sweet looking car inside and out

Cons