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 first car - good long commuter - 2004 Scion xA
  By shipwright - April 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car not for its looks (which are decent), its cargo capacity (which is small but again decent - took 15 medium sized parcels and a dolly with the rear seats down), or its numerous standard features (great CD sound system, AC, power everything), but for its great mileage! I commute 50 miles to and from work each day, and I gotta have a gas sipper! My last Toyota, a 4Runner, lasted 14 years and 300000 miles for losing the head gasket, but the mileage was half what Im getting with the SCIONl. I think Ill like this little chihuahua!

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  2005 Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By eporter - April 17 - 3:06 am

  My Scion xA is wonderful. Not only is it different and awesome to drive but the gas mileage is great. This car is perfect because it fits my personality. It is the only car I have seen that you can choose so many different accessories. I picked out everything down to the wheels and its great. I couldnt be happier with my Scion!

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  Mixed Feeling about Special Edition #1 - 2005 Scion xA
  By DRiley - April 2 - 8:33 am

  Really cute car, great styling. Still enjoy looking at after 7K. The 17" sports wheels look fantastic but make for a rougher ride. Seat comfort ok for up to an hour. Handles road well and feels safe, sporty, and fun. Great radio/CD. Often (daily) there are multiple rattles AND a buzzing around the speedometer (when it is cold) that gets very loud (competes with radio at 40!)--makes me want to walk away from it. Dealer cant hear rattles consistently enough to fix...ahhhh! Very dissappointed in the mpg--the best I have ever gotten is once 31 on a 3-hr freeway drive. More typical 27-29 hwy. (What happened to 37 hwy?) After market sunroofs Ive seen better quality mine (factory).

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  my car is so sexa - 2005 Scion xA
  By huydai - March 29 - 10:00 am

  My xA is the best car in the street right now. Im so proud to drive it nad having fun driving it every time. I think its good that people dont really know what it is cuz I like to be unique in the street.

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  Had it for a Month - 2005 Scion xA
  By timschoice - March 29 - 1:36 am

  Good car, fun to drive. Got the automatic with a lot of the silly neon lights and better radio. Handles really well, acceleration is a little light from a stop with the auto, but handling is terific. Great sound system. Great car and better price.

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  My 1st new car - 2006 Scion xA
  By scottygunn - March 26 - 9:40 am

  I love my xa. It can be a little uncomfortable on 1400 mile trips but for the most part its uncomfortable. I get great gas mileage and the stereo is great. I only wish it had a little better looking dash and was a little faster. But what it lacks in power it makes up for in gas mileage.

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  36-40 nearly a "smart car" - 2006 Scion xA
  By hidden hollow - March 20 - 6:20 am

  Being fussy, after my corolla station wagon, I was disappointed the Scion gave about the same mpg, with so much less interior space. But after a while the mpg improved, (although the space didnt.) On the road I get an easy 40 mpg. In the city, between 34 and 36. But tools that fit a corner of the Corolla, are enough to fill the whole back of the Scion, making it resemble a dumpster. On the other hand its nice to drive. The backhatch is practical. The cars prettier than the Yaris. And iths needed no repairs after 48,000 miles.

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  know what your buying its great - 2006 Scion xA
  By Timm - March 10 - 7:36 pm

  This was my first new car. This car is soild/ dependable car. I have the oem 18inch wheels and rear stabilizer bar. I drve for a while without these and they made a huge improvement in ride and handling. 55xxx on it now....I will drive this car until it falls apart...If you know your buying a economy car, this is a perfect great sporty car. I am so happy I bought this car. I cant ask for much more.

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  Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By Jaime S. Rios - March 5 - 5:13 am

  I am really pleased with the gas mileage, leg room, and power this little but very comfortable vehicle has. It has a very modern design and you cant beat the price.

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  Luv It - 2005 Scion xA
  By MizzTee03 - March 3 - 7:20 pm

  I just love my Scion xA. What more can I say. When I sat in it I knew it was the car for me!!!! I love the design and it is great on gas. I would suggest anyone looking for a new csr to get a xA.