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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  Speaker Upgrade Door & Cold Air - 2006 Scion xA
  By David - February 3 - 6:06 am

  The Scion xA is a cute little car, some of the add ons where done at the dealer, so we had to wait to add this and that. We got the cold air intake, you wont get the extra boost, but the engine runs smoother. I did not like the door stereo upgrade, for what they charge I expected better. I told them I wanted my money back, and they just laughed.

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  Great Local Commuter Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By Wobblerite - January 15 - 2:20 am

  I bought this vehicle to commute 100 miles each way to work. I chose it because it has good headroom for a 62" person. I got the automatic transmission because it seemed too cramped in the foot well for 3 pedals with my size feet. I usually get 33 or 34 mpg while going around 70 mph commuting which is not too far below the EPA estimate of 38 mpg. I was happy with that level of performance. City driving appears to be much lower mileage than advertised. The seats were only complaint I had for long distance driving as there wasnt any lumbar support available.

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  40 miles to the gallon! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Laura - November 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is not a hybrid, but does get a wopping 40 miles to the gallon! Its design is a cross between a Mini Cooper & a Toyota Matrix. The torque is weak for the first few hundred miles and then it seems to warm up to your style of driving, i.e. mine picks up and gets going a lot faster now than it did in its first 500 miles. Standard auto windows and cd player are great! Back seat folds down and makes for lots of room to transport larger items. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  Had Over a Year - Love It - 2005 Scion xA
  By family - August 31 - 9:03 pm

  We bought a Scion xA for my husband before they were even released in our state - had to go to another state to get it. We love it. He travels alot for work and averages 33-35 miles per gallon. We have even taken it on family trips through the mountains - although it was not as comfortable for our two teenagers in back, we did fine. Would love to get one for each family member in different colors.

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  Great Entry-Level Car!!! - 2004 Scion xA
  By pbxgodwin@netscape.n - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This car truly stands out in a boring sea of lackluster subcompacts, most with average quality, below average fit and finish, abysmal resale and few, if any, aftermarket peformance offerings. In 5 speed form, this car truly is fun to drive, offers a 9-second 0-60 time, great build quality and Toyota value. Funky to look at, you either love it or hate it, which is just fine with me. Car is very stable, firm handling, doesnt feel like a small car, even cruising at 85. But keep in mind, while fun a spunky in a 5 speed, this car dogs with the automatic.

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  Groovy little car, and runs great too. - 2005 Scion xA
  By James - June 3 - 10:03 am

  This was my 1st new car and it was worth every penny. I put about 15thou/miles per year and its still going strong w/just regular maintenance. The only major cost has been new tires at 40,000 and tune up at 30 and 60thou-miles. Hope to still have it when it gets to 120.

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  I love my Scion - 2005 Scion xA
  By Susan Clingan - May 24 - 11:06 pm

  I cant understand why I dont hear more about the Scion xA...unless its because of the low $$ amt. I love my Scion xA...the price combined with comfort, great mileage, compact room, and general appearance makes it a great investment. Yet you dont see it much in the public eye...I have had Honda, Chevy, Ford, VW, Olds., Buick....This Toyota Scion is GREAT.

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  Scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By Jim G - May 22 - 4:50 am

  I was hesitant to buy such a small car. Howerver, it has a really sporty ride and I feel comfortable and safe in it. My wife is from England where small cars are necessary. She loves the vehicle as well.

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  Great ride but..... - 2006 Scion xA
  By Roxanne - May 2 - 5:13 am

  My Scion xA rides/handles great. Seat very comfortable for my 57". O/S its so CUTE too! However, high engine noise on highway makes me want to shift to 5th gear but Im IN 5th!! Not smooth shifting either. Center speedometer?? Think again. Scion inside material (only choice) black makes the cars (roomy for a little car) interior feel suffocatingly small. Interior textures hard to clean too! My 02 Ford Focuss grey interior feels SO much bigger, cleaner and is easier to clean !! 06 xAs cup holder wont hold a coffee cup. No handle cutout so sits at an angle, sloshing. Sorry!

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  Was liking it, until - 2006 Scion xA
  By cfeather - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used with 18K on it. The car was filthy but cleaned up well and had been used for city driving. I have a new XD and needed something economical for work since I only get 30 cents per mile reimbursement. I get about 34 mpg with this, not as good as the 43 I can pull from the XD. It was good the first 35K, then a retainer fell off the Toyota brake pad and I had to replace the front brakes because they were noisy. And then at 36K the right rear wheel bearing went. Thats way too early for a Toyota. So Im wondering what will go at 38K.