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The Return of This Toyota-Owned Microbrand Wasn’t on Our Bingo Cards for 2025

Scion gets a rebirth, but as a gas-electric hybrid side-by-side ATV (as if things couldn’t get any more unexpected).

Off-road vehicle with digital camouflage paint, bright LED lights, and large rugged tires kicking up dirt.Toyota
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By Chris Chin

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Scion is back! Well, not really, but as a new side-by-side concept built specifically by Toyota and for this year’s Specialty Equipment and Manufacturers’ Association show in Las Vegas.

The Big T is pretty obviously synonymous with the off-roading scene, what with trucks like the Land Cruiser, Hilux and even the Tacoma and 4Runner tearing up the wilderness.

Now, however, it looks like Toyota’s looking to test the recreational vehicle waters and pick fights with the likes of Can Am, Polaris, Kawasaki and even Honda. And it is indeed a Scion.

What? Were you expecting us to say the tC, xA and xB were back?

Watch out Can Am, Polaris, et al

Off-road vehicle with digital camouflage pattern and spare tire on back driving on a dirt path.
Say hello to Toyota’s first crack at making a true dedicated side-by-side ATV.
Toyota

According to its press release, Toyota is looking to revive the youthful image and branding of Scion. Except, in the outdoor adventure space.

Which, to be frank, is ironic since, if anyone remembers its peak era, Scion’s average customer ended up quite being the opposite of youthful. You were more likely to find lots of gray hair and AARP cards behind the wheels of Scions than you were early 2010s Buicks.

Rear view of an off-road vehicle showing large knobby tires, exhaust system, and suspension components.
Like a Prius, the Scion 01 features a gas-electric turbo-four-based hybrid powertrain. But with 300 horses.
Toyota

Nonetheless, Scion’s new gig is a fun, powerful, “high-output” turbocharged hybrid four-seat recreational vehicle.

But the fact that it’s an ATV isn’t really the main attraction. Rather, the Scion 01 Concept, as it’s called, seeks to help popularize gas-electric hybrid power to the space.

The Prius’ all-terrain black sheep cousin

Off-road vehicle with digital camouflage body and large rugged tires parked on grass under clear blue sky.
Toyota developed a proprietary and first-ever FIA-certified rollover protection cage.
Toyota

Despite looking like a Can Am but with the face and bodywork of a Tesla Cybertruck, the Scion 01 wouldn’t be the first hybrid in the space. HuntVe offers hybrid-powered side-by-side ATVs.

As does Segway and it’s called the UT6 Hybrid. Yes, that’s the same Segway that makes the auto-balancing two-wheeled mobility scooter used by Paul Blart in Mall Cop.

Close-up of a gray coil spring shock absorber mounted on a black metal frame.
The Scion 01 has Baja-runner-like high-performance, high-articulation suspension.
Toyota

Except, the Scion 01 doesn’t have a puny little two-stroke. Rather, it sports Toyota’s latest “High-Output” turbocharged four-cylinder. Total system output claimed to be around 300 horsepower.

Off-road buggy with digital camouflage paint kicking up dust on a dirt trail surrounded by greenery.
Not just a rendering, the Scion 01 is a real, functioning prototype.
Toyota

But it isn’t entire a Prius-like gas-electric system as it’s also plug-in capable. As a result, the Toyota says the Scion 01 is capable of running on all-electric power.

Toyota didn’t say for how far or long. But engineers said one of the biggest benefits of the EV mode allows the Scion 01 to crawl the wilderness in silence.

Red and black racing seats with red harnesses inside an off-road vehicle.
Like the larger Can Ams, there’s seating for up to four.
Toyota

In addition to its clever hybrid powertrain, the Scion 01 features Baja runner-inspired suspension, meaning lots of articulation and high-speed shock absorption, and a balanced track width.

It also features a first-ever FIA racing and SCORE safety certified rollover protection cage, proprietarily developed by Toyota.

Off-road vehicle interior with red and black racing seats and digital camouflage exterior panels.
The digi camo theme is present inside and out.
Toyota

Toyota’s curiosity about the ATV space might seem outside of its envelope. But it’s no stranger to smaller forms of transportation.

And although it’s a concept, we wouldn’t be surprised if Toyota took it seriously and made it. Its arch rival, Honda, dominates the space already.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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