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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  She saw it, test drove it and bought it! - 2005 Scion xA
  By phil - December 20 - 1:50 am

  My wife saw this Absolutely Red Special Addition Scion on the dealers floor, test drove a like model and bought the RED one. Its Special Editon #3. She loves it! She is stopped in parking lots by admiring young men and women inquiring about the styling, performance and handling. She enjoys the interior finish, the handling characteristics (It is a lot easier to park than her Mercedes Benz SLK) and it has plenty of room for three adult lady friends and all of their Christmas shopping! I am pleased about the purchase price and the mileage. Sounds like a Toyota ad? The surprise is that we are both Senior Citizens and this little Red Rocket is Fun to Drive! Try one!

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  Brilliant Design - 2006 Scion xA
  By csconey - December 2 - 9:53 am

  The design of this car is superb. It is short, but the engine takes up very little space. As a result, the interior passenger compartment is amazingly large for such a short car. It is great for the city where small spaces are easier to get into with this car. The xA has a suprisingly large storage capacity. It is also high and is very easy to get in and out of. The seats are very comfortable. I have always purchased Volkswagens, but from now on I will only buy Toyotas. And the Scion xA is a spectacular value, with great mileage per gallon. I recommend this car to both young and older drivers. I am over 60 and love this car.

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  40 miles to the gallon! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Laura - November 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is not a hybrid, but does get a wopping 40 miles to the gallon! Its design is a cross between a Mini Cooper & a Toyota Matrix. The torque is weak for the first few hundred miles and then it seems to warm up to your style of driving, i.e. mine picks up and gets going a lot faster now than it did in its first 500 miles. Standard auto windows and cd player are great! Back seat folds down and makes for lots of room to transport larger items. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  WHERES 6TH GEAR? - 2006 Scion xA
  By ZEEMAN - October 8 - 8:40 pm

  I love my Scion. Its roomy, sporty, handles well, is a breeze to park, and, when driven properly (with the 5spd), gets good mileage and is comfortable on long trips. I am 6 and have plenty of head and leg room. I installed the better xB armrest that actually has storage and it fit perfectly. With the back seats down, theres plenty of room for my two huge labs and they love to ride with their heads out the window. It comes nicely equipped, and mine has no options but for the armrest. I like the iPod connect as well as the standard CD player. If you are single or childless, the xA will handle about 95% of your driving/transportation needs. Not just a kids car; Im 36 and love it.

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  Problems with the Scion xa model - 2005 Scion xA
  By T Dutcher - October 8 - 12:00 am

  Problems noted by consumers and reviewers. A/C not cold, Nose dive on hard stops, Wind nosie, Road nosie, No pick up. Now that I own a Scion heres my personal review. I previously drove a 95 toyota trecel with 133000 miles on it. For an economy car the xa has plenty of pick up. I can pass with ease, and get off the red light quick. A+ lots of pep. A/C they fixed that on the 2005 models. Hard stop dive. It is noticable if you slam the brakes down all the way to stop suddenly, but it is controlable and not worrisome. Nosie, wind is minimal even at 75 mph. Road, it could be a little better. Rough road = noise. This car is roomy, peppy, and a best buy in my book. A++ for its class.

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  A Car Thats Sensitive to Current World Needs... - 2006 Scion xA
  By Alejandro - October 2 - 4:13 pm

  At a time when the our (US) goverment mentioned our dependency-addiction to oil, the Scion xA brings the right mixture for a commuting car that includes excellent gas mileage, confort, looks and a low price with a conventional engine.

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  Needs an armrest! - 2005 Scion xA
  By kevin - September 30 - 6:06 am

  Have had this car for 8 months. Great gas mileage, average 36, have gotten as high as 39. Im 61 and have had several back surgeries, so seats are important. I find these to be pretty comfortable with good lumbar support. Overall it is a great little car.

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  Toyota Excellence - 2006 Scion xA
  By 2006 Scion xA - September 11 - 12:43 pm

  I love my Scion xA. It is affordible and is very high quality. Also, its great on gas, which is a major plus with gas prices at the level theyre at today.

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  Had Over a Year - Love It - 2005 Scion xA
  By family - August 31 - 9:03 pm

  We bought a Scion xA for my husband before they were even released in our state - had to go to another state to get it. We love it. He travels alot for work and averages 33-35 miles per gallon. We have even taken it on family trips through the mountains - although it was not as comfortable for our two teenagers in back, we did fine. Would love to get one for each family member in different colors.

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  Just what I wanted for College - 2006 Scion xA
  By Mike from CA - August 8 - 7:23 am

  As a 22 year old college student I bought this car 1 year ago to help keep the gas bill down and because of toyotas reliability behind it. What I didnt expect was the amazing MPG, low maintenance costs, great sound system, and the room inside. This car has been everything I ever wanted in a car and I will own it for quite some time.