A solid start to a troubled reignToyota launched Scion as a separate brand in 2003. The automaker aimed to produce affordable, customizable vehicles that resonated with younger drivers. Scion started strong with the Scion xA and xB, which both sold well initially. Toyota revealed the xA at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show, and had the xA and xB on dealership lots as a 2004 model. The xA and xB were standouts from the start, painting a picture of vehicles fit for Generation Y. They were both hatchbacks, with the xA featuring a more muscular appearance compared to the boxier xB (shown above). Both cars were inspired by Toyotas that did well in Japan, namely the ist for the xA and the bB for the xB. Both of these early Scions came with the Toyota Echo's 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder motor, which produced 108 horsepower. At launch, the xA had a base MSRP of $12,965, while the xB started at $14,165. These two vehicles set a high standard for the Scion brand, which Toyota would find difficult to match as the years rolled by. Now, let's see how Scion progressed.The tC was the most popular ScionThe xA and xB were beloved worldwide, establishing the brand as a popular choice for many young drivers. Therefore, it was only fitting that Scion introduced a new vehicle: the tC, which debuted for the 2005 model year. The tC drew significant inspiration from another one of Toyota's big successes, the Celica. This Scion was a $16,465 sporty coupe equipped with power steering and sport bucket seats, among other features. The tC shared its 2.4-liter 2AZ-FE engine with the Camry. The inline-four could generate 160 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The tC featured a similar suspension setup to the Honda Civic Si, and the grippy Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires allowed it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 7.4 seconds. If the xA and xB had established the Scion name worldwide, the tC carved it in stone. This model was Scion's greatest hit, with over 79,000 units sold in 2006 alone. Making a unique hatchbackIn 2008, Scion decided to replace the xA with the xD. Toyota thought the xA was too ordinary for the American market, noting that it wanted to create a distinctive vehicle in a smaller package. Although it was affordable at $15,170 for the manual transmission version and $15,970 (about $24,000 today) for the automatic, the xD was equipped with several features designed to appeal to its target audience. These included a sport shift knob, carpeted floor mats, a sport steering wheel, electronic stability control, and optional 18-inch alloy wheels. Its 1.8-liter inline-four engine generated 25 horsepower and 24 pound-feet of torque more than the xA's, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 in 7.9 seconds. Despite all the effort put into the xD, the vehicle failed to achieve the desired impact on the Western market. Sales fell sharply shortly after its release, signaling a grim outlook for the Scion brand. It didn't help that the second-generation xB, which was released that same year, was also struggling to connect with its audience. One of the main reasons why this new xB failed was because of its updated look. Many noted that it lacked the boxy feel that made the first generation xB a cult classic.