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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  What Gas Crisis? - 2006 Scion xA
  By Rich - June 4 - 6:10 pm

  The average gas mileage for my xA at 2,100 miles is 35.8. I keep it at 65 mph for the most part. This car is comfortable enough for my 55 mile drive to work. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  I Love my Scion xA - 2004 Scion xA
  By April S - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my Scion xA for a couple of months, but I love it! The xA has a nice, smooth ride and it handles great in bad weather! I have yet to see any other Scions on the road in my area. Lots of people mistake in for a Mini Cooper, but Im quick to tell them that its a Toyota made car. In comparison to other cars, the xA is much better than the Ford Focus (we have one of those too) and the new Chevy Aveo. It comes standard with TONS of features like Pioneer CD/MP3 player, power everything, remote keyless entry, etc. I even had a sun/moonroof installed! Not too shabby for a lil car! I love this car and hope others will enjoy driving it as much as I do.

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  i like this car. - 2004 Scion xA
  By hnefrdo - June 2 - 2:00 am

  in total, there is not a better car on the market that gives more bang for the buck.

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  Gift for My Daughter - 2006 Scion xA
  By marty - May 27 - 9:56 pm

  My daughters first car had to be safe, affordable, and cool by her terms. I am very pleased that I purchased this car for her. She loves it a lot. If you could only be there as she drove it for the first time her smile still will remain in my memory for a long time. The car is better than I would have thought, because of all its perks like all the room inside, the style outside, and that it only cost $20.00 to fill the tank. Also, the ride is okay, I guess for its style, but you know that teens like my daughter only care about what is on the radio. I might even buy another one to get me back and forth to work and Im in my 40s.

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  Stylish car for great price - 2005 Scion xA
  By xaowner - May 23 - 10:00 am

  For those of you out there who want something more interesting than a Toyota or Honda, more reliable than a Mini or Volkswagon and less expensive than a Mazda3 - consider this little hatchback. In northern CA it was tough to locate b/c theyre in such high demand. Word of advice - if your local dealer doesnt have one, call other dealers in the area (we called a total of 5) since the salesmen arent keen on giving up inventory availability. In summary: gas/brake pedals are very responsive, quick accelleration, fits into smallest parking spaces, no fuss buying experience, great gas mileage, great way to zip around

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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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  Initial Impression - 2005 Scion xA
  By brooktroutchaser - May 8 - 10:53 pm

  Ive owned this almost new car for just a couple of days. It has only 16,500 miles, so it was a peach of a used car purchase. Love the high seats and the hatch. Had I driven it longer on the test drive, I might have had second thoughts; the ride is ultra firm. One feels ever road imperfection and Michigan roads are very poor. This car was marketed to youth, but Im AARP material. It should be a great grocery getter, but I dont think Id like to take a long trip due to the harsh ride. Perhaps softer tires would help? Ill report back after Ive logged more miles.

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  Most fun to drive car ever! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Grateful11 - April 28 - 8:40 am

  This car, aka: "Little Car", hasnt been back to the dealer for anything. Its blast to drive has plenty of get up and go for a normal person, no its not a hot rod. I get 38-39 mpg without even trying with a 90% highway 10% city driving commute. My last tank produced an impressive 42.9 mpg but that took some real attention to laying off the gas pedal. Im running reg. Castrol GTX in it. The sound system is awesome, sounds like it has small subwoofers in it. Its a definite keeper!

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  This Car Pays For Itself - Great Car !! - 2006 Scion xA
  By ggallen - April 28 - 4:40 am

  Have my Scion a couple week. Just love the car. It is really solid and handles well. Loads of leg and head room. Love the fact that you cna build the car you want instead of paying for options you never use. Cant beat the gas mileage. I am getting betwen 37 and 41 mpg and the car is not even broke in. In fact, being this car is getting double the gas mileage of my others. I have set- up a Scion Saver account and I deposit my gas savings in the account every time I fill-up. The way I see it if gas prices remain I will have the car paid off in about 3 years off my gas savings alone.

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  Excelent Car - 2006 Scion xA
  By Jorge Almodovar - April 15 - 6:10 am

  The Scion xA looks great. Its very economical and I like the interior. Its a great build of the Toyota company.