Is Scion xB made by Toyota?
Yes. The Scion xB was produced by Toyota under the Scion brand, which Toyota Motor Corporation created to reach new buyers. The Scion brand was discontinued in 2016, and its models were folded into Toyota’s lineup. The xB is one of the best-known examples of that collaboration, existing in two distinct generations from 2003 to 2015.
Background: Scion and Toyota
Scion was launched by Toyota in 2003 as a separate marque aimed at younger buyers and a more affordable, stylish image. While Scion carried its own badges, the vehicles were designed, engineered, and largely produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. The xB quickly became a signature model, reflecting Toyota’s approach to sharing platforms and technology across brands while signaling Scion’s unique appeal.
Generations of the Scion xB
The Scion xB evolved in two generations, each marking a shift in design and market positioning.
- First generation (2003–2007): Boxy, compact hatchback, based on the Toyota bB sold in Japan, introduced to North America as the Scion xB and noted for interior practicality and distinctive styling.
- Second generation (2008–2015): A larger, more conventional MPV-like hatch, redesigned for the Scion lineup and continued until the brand’s consolidation into Toyota in 2016.
Production and assembly varied by market and year, but the xB remained a product of Toyota’s engineering and supply network throughout its lifecycle. The model was discontinued after the 2015 model year, as part of Scion’s broader retirement in 2016.
Brand status, manufacturing context, and legacy
While Scion operated as a distinct brand during its active years, it was owned and overseen by Toyota Motor Corporation. The Scion xB’s development and production illustrate Toyota’s broader corporate strategy of creating brand silhouettes that could be absorbed into the parent company when Scion was retired. Today, the xB is regarded as a Toyota-origin vehicle, even though it wore Scion badging during its production years.
Summary
The Scion xB is a Toyota product by affiliation and lineage. It began life under Toyota’s Scion marque, existed in two generations from 2003 to 2015, and was part of the brand’s 2003–2016 era before Scion was retired and its models folded into Toyota’s lineup. In short, yes—the xB was made by Toyota, through its Scion division.
