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:

• 

  Buyers Remorse - 2006 Scion xA
  By lakeratz - April 13 - 12:06 pm

  I bought this car to save on gas. I have yet to hit the EPA estimates. In highway driving, at the speed limit of 75 mph I cranked out a whopping 26 mpg. I guess since the car was taching at 4,000 rpms in 5th gear. I should be happy it didnt blow up. Its A/C is inadequate. It has to be run on high fan and recirculate to keep the car cool. It has an uncomfortable ride. You feel every bump in the road. Alsi, its very underpowered. Check the resale values, others must not be impressed either.

• 

  scion xa - 2004 Scion xA
  By amanda - April 7 - 4:30 pm

  As far as reactions from people, I get about 50/50 - Half of the people saying "aww, how cute" and the other half think the xA is ugly. But Im proud of my little xA, I think its cute, fits into parking places easily, good on gas, and has nice features (the interior lighting, etc) I have fun driving it knowing that their arent many on the road yet, and when I do see fellow scion owners, they usually wave at me =) Its a great car so far, and Ive had no problems with it yet. Suprisingly, Having the speedometer and everything all in the middle is convenient. I love mine, and after having it 4 months, I cant imagine driving anything else :)

• 

  BEST AUTO EVER - 2006 Scion xA
  By DAN - March 17 - 4:56 pm

  I have been an ase certified auto tech. for over 30 years, I have owned and driven thousands of cars trucks and suv, I the 2006 scion xa is the best auto I have ever owned, I would recommend it to any one. Its excellent on gas, at 36mpg average, however toyota designed this car more for safety, not the gas mileage!!! i have not gotten any what so ever problems with car at all.

• 

  A Little Car with a lot of Personality - 2006 Scion xA
  By Rosie - February 15 - 11:00 pm

  I have had my xA since the end of November. I love it. It is my first new car. I have owned many used Toyotas over the years and the Scion xA has not disapointed me. It is great on gas.

• 

  Poor design bad quality - 2005 Scion xA
  By PP - February 13 - 5:56 pm

  Pros: Small, sleek, roomy and fuel efficient. Cons: Bad design, poor quality, noise, vibration. -My speedometer broke, to be replaced. -Brakes (disks and pad) to be replaced. -Can not open widows if driving on highway speeds, because bad design makes this vehicle unstable,and it builds excessive pressure in the cabin. -Lots of vibration noises in the cabin wile idling. I bought it thinking of Toyota quality, but overall this vehicle has very poor quality.

• 

  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.

• 

  Scion XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By mct690 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best vehicle on the market for the money! The build quality of Toyota, and all the "options" that come standard in this car set it apart from autos costing $10,000. more

• 

  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.

• 

  Dependable!!! - 2005 Scion xA
  By ak - December 26 - 3:46 pm

  I have had my car for almost 2 years now and she is very reliable. Definatly not a speed demon but awesome gas mileage and ive never had a major problem ever!

• 

  the scion - 2004 Scion xA
  By jekel - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I think this vehicle is a safe and fun vehicle for everyone, and i also think that it is highly underated.