Scion Cars
JDM · 7 models
Toyota youth-focused sub-brand from 2003 to 2016. Killed off but left behind the FR-S, the xB, and the tC.
JDMScion was Toyota attempt to build a separate brand for younger buyers in North America. Launched in 2003 with the xA hatchback and xB box-on-wheels, the brand grew to include the tC sport coupe, the iQ city car, and most importantly the FR-S two-seat sports car (the Scion-badged version of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86). The Scion experiment ended in 2016. Toyota absorbed the lineup into the main Toyota brand: the FR-S became the 86 (and now the GR86), the iA and iM became the Yaris iA and Corolla iM, and the xB and tC were discontinued. The reasons cited included weak sales, a lineup that aged faster than expected, and a marketing approach that did not differentiate enough from regular Toyota. For the time it existed, Scion produced some genuinely interesting cars. The xB (especially the first-generation 2004-2006) became a tuner staple thanks to its tall wagon-like silhouette and the underlying Toyota Echo platform. The tC was a front-wheel drive coupe that found a following in the import scene. The FR-S was the most focused sports car Toyota had sold in North America since the MR2 Spyder. On WhipJury, Scion submissions skew toward FR-S builds (often turbocharged or supercharged), tC builds, and the increasingly rare boxy first-gen xB. The community treats Scion as a defunct brand with surviving cult cars.
Scion models we cover
The FR-S
The FR-S (2013-2016) was the Scion-badged version of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. Same FA20 naturally aspirated 2-liter boxer engine, same six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, same chassis. The FR-S sold reasonably well during its short run, but Scion brand demise meant the car was rebadged to Toyota 86 for 2017 onward. FR-S badged examples are functionally identical to early 86s but are increasingly collectible as the only Scion-branded version of the chassis.
The xB cult
The first-generation xB (2004-2006) is the only Scion that achieved real cultural penetration outside of car enthusiast circles. The boxy silhouette, tall ride height, and large interior turned it into a mod platform for low riders, JDM-style stance builds, and even the occasional tow-rig. The second-generation xB (2008-2015) was bigger and lost the original character. The community generally prefers the original.
Scion on WhipJury
FR-S submissions dominate, often modified with turbo kits, K20 or LS swaps, or aero packages. tC submissions are common but generally less well-received in voting compared to FR-S. xB submissions are rare but do well precisely because of their visual distinctiveness. The brand is dead but the cars survive.
