Is a Scion a Subaru?

No. A Scion is not a Subaru. Scion was Toyota’s youth-oriented brand in the U.S. from 2003 to 2016, while Subaru remains a separate marque owned by Subaru Corporation. The two brands did collaborate on a sports car, but that collaboration does not make Scion a Subaru today.

What Scion was

Scion was created by Toyota to attract younger buyers with distinctive styling, accessible pricing, and a separate dealer network. It largely rode on Toyota underpinnings while presenting its own brand identity, before being folded back into Toyota as part of a brand consolidation.

Notable Scion models

Here are several models that defined the brand during its North American run.

• Scion xA (compact hatchback, 2003–2006)


• Scion xB (boxy compact, two generations, 2003–2006 and 2007–2015)


• Scion xD (subcompact, 2009–2014)


• Scion tC (compact coupe, 2004–2016)


• Scion iQ (subcompact city car, 2011–2015)


• Scion FR-S (sports coupe, 2012–2016; co-developed with Subaru as FT-86)

The Scion lineup was characterized by rapid iteration and a distinctive showroom experience, but the brand ceased operations in 2016 and its remaining models were folded into Toyota’s lineup.

A partnership with Subaru: the FR-S/FT-86 collaboration

The most widely cited intersection between Scion and Subaru is the FR-S, a lightweight rear-wheel-drive sports car developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru under the project name FT-86. In the United States, the car was sold for several years as the Scion FR-S; in other markets it appeared as the Toyota 86, and later as the Toyota GR86 in some regions. Subaru continued with its own version, the BRZ, which remains a separate badge in its own right.

Key points about the collaboration include:

• The FT-86/BRZ/FR-S program combined Toyota's design and reliability with Subaru's boxer engine and chassis tuning.


• The Scion FR-S branding helped introduce the car to a younger audience in the U.S., but the model lineage continued under Toyota after Scion's disappearance.


• In the 2020s, Toyota introduced the GR86 as the successor to the 86 platform, while Subaru released the second-generation BRZ, sharing much of the same engineering.

With the end of the Scion brand, the FR-S name faded from new Scion sales, and the sports-car heritage continues under Toyota and Subaru badges rather than a Scion badge.

Today, what’s the status?

Today, Scion as a distinct brand no longer exists. Its former models have largely been absorbed into Toyota’s lineup, with the notable exception of the Subaru BRZ, which remains a standalone Subaru product. The joint sports car program that spawned the FR-S lives on in the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, sold under their respective brands. Buyers should look for Toyota badging when considering modern FR-S lineage in most markets, or Subaru badging for the BRZ.

Summary

In short: Scion is not Subaru. Scion was a separate Toyota-backed brand operating from 2003 to 2016, and while it collaborated with Subaru on the FR-S/FT-86 project, the collaboration does not equate Scion with Subaru. Today, the FR-S lineage continues as the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, and Scion as a brand has been retired with its models reintroduced under Toyota’s umbrella.

Why do Toyota Scion and Subaru have the same car?

In 2008, Toyota bought 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries, which includes the Subaru automotive brand. Toyota, led by project leader Tetsuya Tada, then invited Subaru to partner in the project, by co-developing the new D-4S boxer engine.

What car did Subaru and Toyota make together?

Toyota and Subaru have jointly developed several cars, most notably the Toyota 86 (originally the Scion FR-S) and the Subaru BRZ sports cars, which share a platform and boxer engine but have different styling and tuning. They have also collaborated on electric vehicles, such as the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, which are built on a shared platform.
 
Jointly developed vehicles 

• Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ: This 2+2 rear-wheel-drive sports car was developed through a partnership that combined Toyota's design expertise with Subaru's boxer engine technology. 
  • First generation: Launched as the Scion FR-S (Toyota) and Subaru BRZ. 
  • Second generation: The Scion FR-S was replaced by the Toyota GR86. 
• Toyota bZ4X / Subaru Solterra: These are electric SUVs that were developed together on a shared platform. 
• Other collaborations: The two companies are also working together on a future three-row electric SUV and other EV models, with Subaru utilizing Toyota's technology and manufacturing capacity to help with EV development. 

What car brand owns Scion?

Toyota owns the Scion brand, which was a division created by Toyota that was absorbed back into the parent company in 2016. While the Scion brand no longer exists, its vehicles were rebranded as Toyotas, and Toyota continues to provide service and maintenance for them.
 

• Ownership: Scion was owned by Toyota from its launch in 2003 until the brand was discontinued in 2016. 
• Rebranding: Following the discontinuation, Scion's most popular models were rebadged as Toyota vehicles, and the Scion brand was dissolved. 
• Support: Toyota maintains all Scion service, parts, and maintenance support, using the same technicians and parts as the Toyota brand. 

Is the Scion FR-S the same as the Subaru BRZ?

Yes, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are essentially the same car, developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru, with almost identical chassis, engines, and transmissions. The primary differences are subtle tuning variations, like the BRZ's slightly softer springs for a more neutral feel and the FR-S's stiffer rear springs for a more tail-happy nature, along with differences in standard features and trim levels.
 
This video explains the mechanical and performance differences between the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ: 58sMatt Maran MotoringYouTube · Sep 4, 2013
Shared characteristics

• Platform: The two cars share the same chassis and were built in the same factory. 
• Engine: Both are powered by a 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine, producing 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. 
• Transmission: Both were offered with a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. 
• Drivetrain: They are both rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential. 
• Design: They have a very similar overall silhouette and interior layout, though trim and equipment can vary. 

Key differences

• Suspension tuning:
  • Scion FR-S: Stiffer rear springs for a more "tail-happy," agile feel. 
  • Subaru BRZ: Slightly softer springs for a more neutral and predictable handling characteristic. 
• Features and trims:
  • The BRZ was offered in different trim levels (Premium and Limited) and included standard features like HID headlights and a navigation system that were not available on the FR-S. 
  • The FR-S was positioned as a more affordable base model, with some of these higher-end features available only as aftermarket upgrades. 
• Styling: While the overall shape is the same, there are minor styling differences, such as the front and rear bumper designs. 

You can watch this video to learn about the differences between the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, including features and specs: 59sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · Jun 15, 2015
Which one to choose

• For a more affordable, potentially more agile car: The Scion FR-S may be the better choice, especially on the used market, as it was priced lower initially and has the more playful suspension setup. 
• For a more premium feel with standard features: The Subaru BRZ might be more appealing due to its available standard features, though it was slightly more expensive at launch. 
• Ultimately: The driving experience is very similar, and both are excellent sports cars. A test drive of both is recommended to see which one's tuning and features best suit your preference.