Overview & Reviews

The Scion brand was created in 2003 by Toyota as a way of connecting to younger buyers with savvy tastes. One of its launch vehicles, the Scion xA, was an inexpensive hatchback marketed through hip promotions that emphasized its unique style. Owners could customize the xA with more than 30 accessories available at Scion dealers. Even with this strong pitch to trendsetting youngsters and auto enthusiasts, the Scion xA soon gained a reputation as a sensible subcompact with premium build quality and standard features.

Most recent Scion xA

Launched as a 2004 model, the Scion xA lasted just one generation, as Scion sought to keep its youthful portfolio fresh. A refresh occurred in its final year of 2006, so older xAs have some visual differences and some slight variations in the interior features, including the Pioneer sound system, steering wheel, speedometer and seat fabric.

The Scion xA came in one body style -- a four-door hatchback. For a subcompact, the xA had a noticeably upscale look and feel. The gauge pod resided in the center of the dash and glowed amber, while the dashboard had a contemporary appearance, with faux aluminum trim tastefully placed down the center console, door panels and steering wheel. The seating position was high, and headroom and legroom were decent in both the front and rear. But you couldn't haul too much cargo, with just 11.7 cubic feet of hatch space behind the rear seat.

The xA was also well-stocked with standard features, including air-conditioning; antilock brakes; power door locks, windows and mirrors; a rear wiper; and rear window defogger. Scion also provided the xA with a premium stereo -- a sound system with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary input jack. Among the optional equipment was an 8-inch subwoofer, an iPod adapter, satellite radio and an airbag package with front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

Power for the Scion xA came from a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated for 103 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a four-speed automatic was available as an option. With either transmission, the Scion was pretty frugal, with EPA city estimates of 31-32 mpg and highway ratings of 37-38. For those looking to improve the xA's performance, Toyota Racing Development, Toyota's in-house performance department, offered quite a few parts, including intake and exhaust, shocks and lowering springs, and a performance clutch.

Buyers could also customize their xA's appearance with dealer-installed accessories such as a rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a variety of wheel covers, sport pedals and shift knobs.

In our review of the Scion xA, our editors found it to be quite a competent commuter. On highways, the ride was smooth. The small engine didn't provide much passing power, but around the city, the xA offered plenty of pep. It also maneuvered nicely on surface roads, with a surprisingly tight suspension for an econobox and precise steering. In more extreme cornering situations, the xA felt a bit wobbly, but TRD performance suspension components were available to remedy the condition.

User Reviews:

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  Bad Gas Mileage/Frequent Visits to the Shop - 2006 Scion xA
  By igobye - June 26 - 1:53 pm

  At 28,000 miles the best mileage Ive gotten is 36 mpg once. Most of the time Im lucky to get 33 mpg highway. I commute 90 miles daily and Im not getting the mileage that I expected, which was one key factor in choosing the car. When I asked a Scion dealership about it, I was given the same excuse others have been - those are just estimates and there is not much they can do about it. On top of the gas mileage issue, my car has been in the shop three times. The first time was to to replace the radio that changed channels by itself. The second time to replace the Camhead assembly and the third time it was leaking between where the gas nozzle goes and the tank. It was all warranty work, but Im almost out of warranty - then what? At this rate Ill be broke.

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  Love It - 2006 Scion xA
  By Afaq Syed - June 24 - 6:53 am

  This car is incredible. I was working on a tight budget. After test driving three cars, the salesperson showed me this car. The long list of standard items was impressive. After taking it out for the test drive I found it to be very responsive and fun driving and decided to buy it. I bought a Toyota Camry 6 months back. I wish I had test driven this car before I had brought my Camry. I think this car is a true value down to every penny.

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  Wonderful Little Car! - 2004 Scion xA
  By moonbeam - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for little over 2 months and I love it. Its my first car and Ive been learning how to drive with it so I can commute to work (90 miles daily). So far the only problems Ive had are the brakes squeaking occasionally and the light/flying feeling I get when Im on the highway (going 65mph)! It definately needs more power because its hard to go uphill-but other than that its a great first car, easy to park, and fun to drive. I get quite a few people looking at it and asking me what it is! I had to take the backseat headrests out because it was blocking my view-but since I dont ever sit in the back, its fine with me!

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  ABOVE AVERAGE - 2005 Scion xA
  By THOMAS DELORETO - April 18 - 10:56 pm

  HAS AS MUCH LEG ROOM AS A MINI VAN AND RIDES AND DRIVES WELL. MILEAGE NOT AS RATED. GREAT RADIO AND CD.

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  Scion xA, Purchased Recently - 2006 Scion xA
  By George - March 7 - 11:50 pm

  This car is fine. I got used to the center pod dashboard quickly. The ONLY thing I could wish for, would be a 6th gear. At 80 mph, with a 5-speed manual, the engine is turning 4,000 RPM. Thats fine, it has a 7,000 RPM redline, but theres no need to spin it so fast. There is no need to downshift on the highway. I drive in commuter traffic, 75-80 mph. In mixed driving, I get around 35 mpg.

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  Wheres the Mileage? - 2006 Scion xA
  By DougK - January 28 - 7:06 pm

  I like most everything about the car, which I purchased for my daughter. I am at 1,000 miles on the break-in and my gas mileage has been astonishingly LOW! My first four tanks have averaged in the low 20 MPG range. I own three other vehicles with two to three times the engine size and all except my Suburban get better mileage. My dealer states that I have to get it broken in and nothings wrong. I have my doubts as to whether a few hundred miles more will do anything for this car. They may be getting this one back.

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  My results - 2005 Scion xA
  By Miles Morris - January 2 - 10:16 pm

  I have had my XA for a couple months now, just went over 5000 miles. I have to say i really like this car alot. I tried premium gas for a bit but it really runs better and gets much better milage with the regular.I drive 75 miles a day for work, got 490 miles in the last tank, thats what i had when i chickened out and bout gas after the little gas tank warning thing came on anyway, probably could have gone to 500 miles. Its mostly back road travel at 45 to 50 mph, it seems to love going that speed. Taking the highway at 65 mph was my first test, engine revved way high, was averaging about 35 mpg, less stop and go even, now im around 40 mpg average with more stop and go.

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  Great car - 2006 Scion xA
  By bbp2459 - November 7 - 6:23 am

  This has been a great car. The fuel economy has averaged between 32 and 38 depending on the driving. Storage space is surprisingly good especially when I fold down the back seat. The display in the middle of the console opens up a lot of visual field but takes a bit of getting used to. The ride is rough for long trips but when you consider what you are paying for gas vs what others are paying, the ride is not so bad. I am really surprised that they stopped making this car.

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  Parking in Boston? HA! no problem!! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Professor X - September 17 - 7:56 pm

  I dont understand why some owners are getting less than 35 mpg on the highway. I visit my mom in NY every other weekend; exactly 250 miles. It has a 10.9 gallon tank. On average I get there with half a tank left. It breaks down to 38+ mpg. I purchased the xA because of the price. At first I was deeply concerned about its size. Thats no longer a problem. As an average college student, theres plenty of room for friends, laundry, computer parts, etc. Should you need more drop one of the seats. Another concern was its engine. Since its only 1.5 liter, I feared it will be too small for a car. Again its not a problem. Its a very nimble car for me and...a date. 4 adults is a different story

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  2005 XA Reviewed - A Practical Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By BigEd - August 28 - 8:23 pm

  This is a good, well built car. My Scion gets 33 MPG in city gas mileage. My Scion is a lot of fun to drive around also. One of my favorite features is the hatch in back. I can flip down the seats and carry a lot of stuff back there. The stereo is pretty good and the seats are comfy. The air conditioner is marginal, however. The overall quality seems to be really good. It has lots of technology in the engine and good power for city driving, but high rpm on the highway. I love this car.