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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  probably the best economy car.... - 2005 Scion xA
  By warlock110 - May 23 - 6:13 am

  Pro: cheap, stylish. Cons: underpower, no armrest, no cruise control This car is a very good economy car, @ around 14K it has power everything, plus an MP3 deck, and pionner speaker system, antilock brake, and the list goes on, it is very sporty looking, at this price range you wont find any other car that can offer the same amount of equipment, from the corolla to the civic. the design of the car looks nice and easy to use. The car is seriously under power, @ a mare 100HP its a joke, but the little thing generate the same amount of power as a civic or a corolla, the MPG is a joke, on the highway the engine takes alot to get up to speed and that hinder the MPG. the tC is better IMO.

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  Good Deal - 2005 Scion xA
  By XA Jake - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for the gas milage but what I got was much more. I think this is the best car that I have ever driven to this point. The extra features that you can get with it is outstanding. I love sports cars so I got the lowering kit and 18 inch rims along with the Cold air induction and sport muffler. The gas milage is about 36 miles to the gallon and I get alot of responce on the gas pedal. I cant even get in it without someone asking me about it. I dont know how any other car companys are going to sell compacts when this car becomes more known. There are things that I would change in the manufacture but they would all drive up the base line price.

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  Get the R S 1.0 - 2005 Scion xA
  By happy lad - January 1 - 6:13 pm

  I have had my XA R S 1.0 for only a week, but so far I love it. The bright red color(only for the R S 1.0) gets looks every where I go.

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  123,000 miles later - 2005 Scion xA
  By peter - November 29 - 6:26 pm

  I have 123,000 miles and the only problem I had was both front wheel bearing needed replacing. The interior still looks like new. Car rides too harsh and could be quieter. I am confident it will run past the 200,000 mile mark.

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  fun, but small - 2004 Scion xA
  By Nihao - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Drive it yourself and you will know what I mean. Good for young couples, but no family. It is designed for narrow roads with lower speed limit in Japan, so do NOT drive it too fast in the US. Always stays at the slow lane for your own safety. The car itself is ok. It is just not powerful and strong enough for the traffic condition here in the States.

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  Nice Little Economy Car for the Money - 2006 Scion xA
  By lanae - September 28 - 10:03 pm

  I traded in my Saturn for this little Scion so I could save on gas for city driving. So far I dont see the excellent fuel savings that I was expecting but, I am assuming it will take some time to break the car in - maybe!?! It is easy to drive. The stick shift is different than the one that is in my Saturn as it was told to me from the sales lady it was a short shifter. It has great steering control. It is nice to have ABS after driving a car for five years without it. The Pioneer stereo system is nice. I feel it will last for a long time. My car has the spoiler and fog lights and I must say that the fog lights help light the road better! I would recommend this car to anyone that has a tight budget that is looking for reliable transportation.

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  Great but - 2006 Scion xA
  By Motokomise - September 2 - 10:30 pm

  Great purchase, fun little car, perfect for urban driving with one major exception: the rear port windows absolutely cause blind spot issues when driving. Its so bad that were not purchasing another Scion or any other small car until we test those next time, and this is a hazardous design flaw that while under the best of situations is annoying, under the worst??

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  Great Room - 2006 Scion xA
  By sportsfan8443 - September 1 - 6:16 pm

  Ive had no trouble with my Scion xA in the year I have had it. I like the way It sits up high like a little SUV. My son is a tall boy and the Scion gives him plenty of head room. He will be taking it to college in a couple of years and I will buy another one, a tC the next time. I love Scions.

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  Scion xA 2004 - 2004 Scion xA
  By Myk - June 17 - 7:03 am

  My 2004 Scion xA (5-spd stick) now has 85,000 miles. Last month I drove it cross-country from CA to NY (via I-80 all the way). I have not had any problem with the car although I once had a flat tire. Great gas mileage and the car is inexpensive compared to any hybrid.

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  First Scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By Vernon Danker - May 9 - 3:56 pm

  As my first new car in 15 years, the Scion xA is impressive in many ways for a compact. Its handling is very nice, its ride is comfortable, and its controls are easy to use. One feature that takes getting used to is the pod of gauges. It is distracting at first, and takes your eyes off the road. The stereo is exceptional for a compact, and it is ready for the MP3s. Its noise level is good below 60 mph; above that slightly annoying. The styling attracts attention, in a positive way; it is reminiscent of the Mini Cooper. Its pricing is also a strong selling point. There is no haggling, very little in add on charges, and options can be added later. Cruise control, e.g., is $350 if added later; $425 if financed.