Will Scion xB come back?

There are no announced plans to revive the Scion brand or the xB. Toyota has not signaled a comeback as of 2025, and the Scion brand was phased out in 2016.

Today’s automotive landscape is dominated by Toyota's current lineup, GR performance models, and a rapid shift toward electrification. Enthusiasts have occasionally speculated about a Scion revival or a new xB-inspired vehicle, but there has been no official confirmation from Toyota. This article reviews what happened to Scion and the xB, why a revival hasn’t occurred, and what would be required if Toyota ever chose to bring Scion back.

Background: Scion and the xB

Origins of Scion

Scion was launched by Toyota in the United States in 2003 as a youth-focused brand intended to attract new buyers to Toyota showrooms. Its lineup emphasized bold styling, customization options, and a distinct showroom experience separate from the Toyota badge.

The Scion xB became one of the brand’s most recognizable models due to its boxy design and roomy interior, helping to define Scion’s initial image. Over time, Scion expanded beyond the xB with other vehicles like the xA, tC, and iQ-based offerings, but sales never reached a level that sustained the independent brand.

• 2003: Scion brand launched in the United States with xA and xB as early models.


• 2004: First-generation Scion xB goes on sale, establishing the brand’s boxy, practical appeal.


• 2007: All-new second-generation Scion xB debuts with a larger footprint and updated styling.


• 2012–2014: Scion faces continued sales pressure as the market gravitates toward crossovers and SUVs; minor updates keep the lineup current.


• 2016: Scion brand is discontinued; remaining models are folded into Toyota’s lineup (e.g., iA and iM moved to Toyota names in subsequent years).

Concluding paragraph: The xB’s two generations highlighted Scion’s niche appeal, but the brand’s dissolution in 2016 ended the separate Scion lineage and left the xB without a direct successor.

Why a comeback hasn't happened (yet)

Several factors have kept Scion from returning to the market, even as Toyota expands its global product strategy.

• Brand strategy shift: Toyota chose to simplify its branding, folding Scion models into Toyota rather than maintaining a separate brand identity.


• Market demand: The sales success of Scion never matched projections, limiting the business case for reviving the brand.


• Product direction: The market now emphasizes crossovers, SUVs, and electrification, areas in which a standalone Scion would struggle to justify its own niche.


• Costs and risk: Rebuilding a separate dealer network, supply chain, and marketing budget would be expensive with uncertain returns.


• Brand equity: The Scion name carries nostalgia but limited contemporary brand value, making a revival harder to justify without a clear strategic payoff.

Concluding paragraph: Taken together, these factors explain why Toyota has not pursued a Scion revival and why any revival would require a compelling business case tied to current market conditions and corporate strategy.

What a revival would entail

If Toyota ever considered bringing Scion back, it would need to address several strategic and operational questions before launching a new model or rebranding an existing one.

• Strategic justification: A clear plan showing how Scion would add value within Toyota’s portfolio or electrification/GR strategies.


• Product concept: Designing a new model or reimagining an existing Toyota with Scion branding and features that appeal to the target audience.


• Branding and marketing: Creating a distinct Scion identity, dealer experiences, and promotional campaigns that differentiate it from Toyota.


• Operations and pricing: Aligning production, distribution, and pricing with profitability goals and dealer incentives.


• Regional rollout: Deciding which markets would receive Scion and how regional regulations and demand would be addressed.

Concluding paragraph: Any revival would require a well-supported business case, a clear strategic fit, and substantial investment. Until such a plan is disclosed, Scion remains a historical chapter in Toyota’s corporate story.

Summary

Bottom line: The Scion xB is part of automotive history, and there are no confirmed plans to bring back the Scion brand or its signature model. Toyota has moved forward with its current lineup, electrification initiatives, and the GR performance line, while acknowledging nostalgia from Scion enthusiasts. For now, the xB lives on in memories and in the records of a brand that once aimed to redefine how young buyers engage with cars.

What was the worst year for Scion xB?

While the Scion xB generally fares well in reliability, it's essential to be mindful of its problematic years - particularly 2006, 2008, and 2009. As with any used vehicle, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is highly recommended.

Is Scion making a comeback?

No, the Scion brand is not coming back as an automobile marque, but Toyota has revived the Scion name for a new off-road side-by-side concept vehicle called the Scion 01. The original Scion brand was discontinued in 2016, and its models were absorbed into the Toyota marque. The new Scion concept uses a hybrid powertrain and was created as a testbed for future mobility ideas, not as a successor to the old brand.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the Scion 01 concept vehicle: 40sPlanet Car NewsYouTube · Nov 4, 2025

• No, the Scion brand is not returning. Toyota officially discontinued the Scion brand in 2016, and its models were integrated into the Toyota lineup. 
• The name is being used for a concept vehicle. The Scion name has been revived for a new, one-off concept vehicle called the Scion 01, which is a powerful, hybrid-powered off-road side-by-side. 
• It is not a car. This is not a car or a car brand, but a powersports vehicle designed to test new concepts and technology. 
• It's a way to experiment. Toyota created the Scion 01 to serve as a "laboratory" to develop and test new ideas, leveraging its expertise in hybrid powertrains and off-road vehicles. 

Is the Scion xB coming back?

And now the 2026. Model is back with an updated. Look new tech. And even more of the fun quirky appeal that made the original a fan. Favorite let's talk about the design.

Why did Toyota kill off Scion?

Toyota discontinued the Scion brand due to a combination of declining sales, the inability to connect with its target younger demographic, and internal redundancy with the Toyota brand itself. The 2008 financial crisis impacted young buyers' ability to purchase new cars, and competitors like Hyundai and Kia offered more appealing value propositions, making it harder for Scion to succeed. Ultimately, Scion's models were no longer compelling enough and cannibalized sales from Toyota's own entry-level cars, so the brand was absorbed into the Toyota lineup.
 

• Failed to connect with target audience: Scion was created to attract younger buyers, but it struggled to win them over in significant numbers. The vehicles were not seen as compelling enough, and the target demographic's financial limitations also played a role. 
• Internal competition: Scion's lineup became too similar to Toyota's own compact cars, such as the Corolla. Since the Toyota brand offered better resale value and brand recognition, consumers often chose the Toyota over a Scion, even when both were sold at the same dealerships. 
• Intensified market competition: Other brands, particularly Hyundai and Kia, improved their offerings with better styling, longer warranties, and stronger marketing, increasing the competitive pressure on Scion. 
• Product lineup issues: Some Scion models, like the FR-S, were praised by automotive press for their handling but lacked desired features like a more powerful engine option, which hurt sales. New models also failed to generate sufficient interest. 
• Financial strain: Declining sales and the cost of maintaining the separate brand made it a financial burden for Toyota. 

In February 2016, Toyota announced it was ending the Scion brand and folding the remaining models into the main Toyota brand, allowing them to continue to be sold as Toyotas.