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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  Excellent xA! - 2006 Scion xA
  By xajohn - October 4 - 4:32 pm

  After owning various small cars: - 56 VW bus - Ducati 160 - 1956 Chevy Carryall (stovebolt 6 - $25 very used) - Fiat 1100 R - 2nd car best, Dunlops, non-syncro 1st led to next car (ex could not figure out 1st) - Toyota Corolla (2TC hemi 1600) only lasted 439,000 miles! - Plymouth Champ (8 speed 1600) - 74 Bug - 85 RX-7 (oh well - sports car days) - 91 Geo Metro - 56 mpg until vacuum lines died - Now driving 04 scion Xa (154,000 miles so far) Wonderful, the best of the lot as to handling, seating, view out (although rear blind spots.) Optioned w/ rear anti-sway bar, front tower brace, handles like a go-cart, twice the power compared to the Metro

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  My Scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By Olga - September 30 - 7:06 pm

  I was about to buy a Toyota Prius or a Corolla when I first test drove a Scion xA and I immediately fell in love with it. It has a great sitting position and road visibility. I love the outstanding Pioneer sound system. The cabin is quiet. The xA has excellent handling and is very stylish. The ride is a little choppy but that doesnt bother me too much. The seats are comfortable with plenty of legroom. Its fuel economy is very good. The automatic transmission responds well. Mine has factory installed side and head curtain airbags. I paid extra for the keyless remote entry and an alarm. Overall this car has been an excellent choice for city driving. It is not the fastest, but provides a nice driving experience on the highway. Its a best buy for the middle-aged like myself.

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  great - 2005 Scion xA
  By dewayne buskey - September 23 - 10:00 am

  love the car , hated the dealership that sold it in atlanta

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  Shoe shaped fun! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Mike - September 23 - 4:43 am

  The Scion I bought was in the Polar white, and I got this little bad boy fully loaded. Sure the dealership was a little "snooty" but I got all the info and help I needed. The Scion xA did it for me. The MPG is great and the interior is quite comfortable althoug it can use a arm rest in the middle console. The stereo sounds good but it needs cross-overs badly. The paint could easily use the "clearcoat" protection paint, and there is a little road noise here and there but NO wind noise. Amen for that. Small fun and very econimical this is a grea car. It can use a little bit more room in the back though.

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  My Pricey Christmas Present to Myself - 2006 Scion xA
  By adnilem03 - September 16 - 9:30 pm

  The Scion xA 2006 is an awesome car. The buttons and displays inside the car are very easy to use, and big, so I can wear gloves and still push everything. I love the stereo controls on the steering wheel. It has lots of room inside the car, especially lots head room for those vertically challenged. I love how you sit in it when youre driving, instead of lying down. When driving you can see right over all the normal sedans, and this helps with driving in traffic.

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  fun to drive in city - 2004 Scion xA
  By syedwh - September 4 - 10:00 am

  It is realy fun to drive in the city. You feel comfort in it. First time I took my X-A from Orange County to Ventura county ( Simi Valley ) about 70 Miles one way I found ride on freeways it is not as comfotable as in city you feel even small bumps or uneven roads on the freeways. Also suddenly brake at the speed of abve 60 mph can shfit the car left or right hand. Must be carefull. Have fun and ejoy it.

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  I Like My Scion XA! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Gloria - September 3 - 11:26 pm

  This is a stylish inexpensive car made in Japan and with high quality parts, good gas mileage, and a fun interior, especially at night when it goes NEON colors!

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  OWNING AN XA IS SIMPLE - 2006 Scion xA
  By bigdaddyb - August 31 - 9:20 am

  I bought it used & for work, chasing probationers @town. I now have @ 68k. I have had no mechanical problems,zero! I dont take it to the dealer because at 50k, the dealer wanted to charge me over $350 at the 50k mile maintenance appt. I took it to the local garage (& pepboys) and I get my interval 5k mile maint. checks there (oil change and rotate tires). There are no brake problems, sounds like you need an honest garage. *see previous review about the brakes and rotors*. The gas milage goes from 26 to 32 city (winter lower, due to mix of gas) and 36-8 hwy. I have snow tiers for winter and put weights in(@ 6 50lbs plates) the car during snow stormss and travel the same roads as the 4wd cars.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By gmark - August 13 - 9:43 am

  Ive only had this car for a few months, but so far I love it. I drive hard, I average about 75-80 mph on the highway and Im quick off the lights in town, and Im getting an average MPG of 32 between city and highway. Its fun to drive and relativity quick. I have noticed when the temp gets down around 0 f. it needs the heater on full most of the time to stay warm inside so if you live in an area where that temp is typical, youll want to consider that. But even on the coldest mornings it has no trouble starting up. The sound system in mine is real nise as well, good solid bass and clear highs with great volume for a stock unit. I have no problem recomending this car!

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  Love it! 2006 scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By GFS - August 6 - 3:56 am

  Im 60 and I love this car it s so much fun so roomy, has pick up, its just the greatest thing since hummm Apple pie ":) and it is very classy looking! Had it 2 months no problems, Ill be back to let ya know how it gets through the winter.