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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  Great Car - 2006 Scion xA
  By dxt178 - February 12 - 6:50 pm

  Going on two years with my xA and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Sporty for what it is, great traction in snow and saves money at the pump. Rear seat could use a tad more leg room and fuel tank placement limits space for storage. I do regularly haul two 11 kayaks on a roof rack, and have transported my share of 8 2x4s with the rear hatch fully closed. Everyone who has ever ridden with me has fallen in love with it, even if their initial reaction was negative. In my opinion the xA is better than a hybrid. Cheaper, less complex, no batteries, and with combined driving it easily gets 40 MPG in an automatic. Great car.

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  Scion AKA My little Lexus - 2004 Scion xA
  By J P Lewis - December 2 - 10:00 am

  Best bang for your buck. If the standard stereo isnt good enough for you your crazy. More than ample front seat room with the rear great for small children. No haggling here MSRP is the best they can do and it is obvious why.

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  Cost effective excellent performer - 2005 Scion xA
  By Chris Thomas - November 10 - 9:13 pm

  From a commuting standpoint, I find the 2005 Scion xA to be an excellent performer. The basic vehicle comes with many desirable features (AC, CD/MP3 player, etc), and the no-haggle buying is nice. The automatic transmission is very sluggish until the engine warms up, particularly around 30 mph where it tends to stick in a low gear while struggling at high RPMs. This is definitely not a car to haul people around in - adults in the back seat will feel some discomfort; however, there is a lot of room for carrying other things.

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  Love it but whats up with the brakes? - 2006 Scion xA
  By San Antonio - October 10 - 1:33 am

  I bought the car brand new and have had it for over 2 years. I love the car, but am wondering whether anyone has had problems with their brakes. At 20,000 I had all the pads replaced. Now at 45,000 I had to have the rotors replaced. Im not a braking type of driver. Also, I used to get over 35 mpg now Im down to about 26 mpg. What could be the problem? Other than that, the car has been wonderful.

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  Better than the minivan for gas! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Bob - September 3 - 6:16 pm

  The great thing about this car was that it had a lot of features for the small price. I read in this review how many are able to get great gas mileage but unfortunately I am not really able to come close to many of these. For example, just city driving alone I get 25-26 mpg. When I make 1 freeway trip at least once a week, that will jump to 29-30 mpg, so I know the potential is there for greater mpg. Now, even with its "low" mpg, its still a great car. I am almost 200 lbs, plus the local street I take to work, you really cant "take it easy" with the gas otherwise you could get a lot of people mad at you. So it is with semi- to aggressive driving that I get this mpg.

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  So Cute and so much fun! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Myscion04 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I get a lot of compliments everywhere I go! Friends,family,co-workers,school staff,high school students. I get countless smiles just driving around town. It is an attractive little car. Sometimes the stares can get annoying though. Soooo cute!!!! Thank you for this fine little toy!

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  My xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By me - May 21 - 5:13 am

  The xA is a great car. toyota lied however! I do not get 31 miles per gallon around town, I get 35 - 36! Not only that, but this car is easy and fun to drive. It has good drivability, handling, and even ride. For $16,000 out the door, this is just great little car. Its comfy, roomy , and has a great interior design with instrument on center console. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  City Car Goes the Distance - 2005 Scion xA
  By C Marshall - May 11 - 4:43 pm

  I commute 200 miles per day with this car. Bought upgraded sound w/ 6 CD - Good. Bought fog lights - wasted money. Bought self dimming mirror - excellent. Also picked up the AEM air intake which gives a slight boost over 2000 RPM and adds a little sound that is pleasant. I find the seats to not bee real comfortable for long distance, not enough lumbar support but love the way it corners. Visibility is just OK. At 62" some of the posts get in way of vision. For the price a well executed car and one that doesnt look like everything else out there.

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  Outstanding Value - 2006 Scion xA
  By Ozzie - April 12 - 7:53 am

  The vehicle is perfect for my needs. I just got the car and when I was driving home I noticed the engine runs strong and the cabin was fairly quiet. I did my homework and looked at the Corolla, Civic and Mini. I felt that for the price and quality the Scion was the winner!

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  Great Car - 2006 Scion xA
  By rodgerterrey - February 13 - 6:33 pm

  I have been looking for a O.K. priced mpg 2 wheel F.W.D. ...I have had 4x4 trucks, off road "ROCK CRAWLERS" & they all get poor mpg 10 to 13 was best!!!! I have gotten out of "OFF ROADING" &wanted a good ,fun , reliable, car for myself & after much, much, much reserach I bought a "SCION XA" & Im loving it!!!!!! I have found after driving it for 5mo. there is a awfull glare off the dash (after getting used to the speedo location) so I bought a "DASMMAT" cover & had all windows tinted....MUCH BETTER....