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:

• 

  Love It! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Kenneth Gardner - July 20 - 3:56 pm

  I really like getting behind the wheel of my 06 Scion xA. I have to get used to the front wheel drive. The only thing that I am missing is there is no space for beverage containers and no cruise control. The fuel mileage is very, very good.

• 

  GREAT - 2005 Scion xA
  By J Anderson - July 3 - 11:00 pm

  So far I LOVE IT - fun to drive, economical - time will tell

• 

  I love this car! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Char - June 24 - 12:56 am

  This car hasnt let me down yet and I love it! Yay for Scion and the xA. This car does great with gas.

• 

  Best Bang for your Buck! - 2006 Scion xA
  By GYNUWYNE - June 22 - 2:03 am

  I Love Love Love my Scion! Its stylish, comfortable, great gas mileage, unique, reliable. I want to keep my car running a long time so I perform reg. mntc. on it. Reg. oil changes, tire rotations, breaks, fluid flushes, spark plugs replaced. At my last oil change, the technician said my car is in great condition.

• 

  RS is really sweet - 2005 Scion xA
  By DrW - June 21 - 11:46 am

  Purchased 05 RS 1.0 #1386 in 12/04. The car is underpowered from 0-20, yet mid-range torque with 5-speed is good enough for highway driving. xA is not a 80+ mph vehicle. However, xA is an Excellent around town errand runner, RS edition makes a fashion statement with 17" wheels and numerous power features (windows, mirrors, moonroof, remote locks & alarm). People do gawk, Flat out cute like the Mini, just not as fast. Build quality definitely originates from Toyota gene pool. After 7500 miles, avg 33 mpg around town. The RS 5-speed is the only way to go with this vehicle, value plus. Do not buy the automatic in this model.

• 

  a great little car - 2005 Scion xA
  By jameskopsa - June 19 - 8:16 am

  I am really enjoying driving my Scion xA. Its not a Corvette. Its not a Cadillac. What it is, is a great, small, comfortable and zippy car with great milage for just a few bucks. I recommend this car.

• 

  Great Entry-Level Car!!! - 2004 Scion xA
  By pbxgodwin@netscape.n - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This car truly stands out in a boring sea of lackluster subcompacts, most with average quality, below average fit and finish, abysmal resale and few, if any, aftermarket peformance offerings. In 5 speed form, this car truly is fun to drive, offers a 9-second 0-60 time, great build quality and Toyota value. Funky to look at, you either love it or hate it, which is just fine with me. Car is very stable, firm handling, doesnt feel like a small car, even cruising at 85. But keep in mind, while fun a spunky in a 5 speed, this car dogs with the automatic.

• 

  Love It! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Beck - June 12 - 7:06 pm

  I just got my new Scion this past week and so far, i absolutley love it! This is the first brand new vehicle purchase for me and it was a breeze. My dealer was awesome. I got the Flint Mica color and its gorgeous. Ive had strangers stop me and ask about the car. I am very excited and I look forward to driving it until the wheels fall off!

• 

  Groovy little car, and runs great too. - 2005 Scion xA
  By James - June 3 - 10:03 am

  This was my 1st new car and it was worth every penny. I put about 15thou/miles per year and its still going strong w/just regular maintenance. The only major cost has been new tires at 40,000 and tune up at 30 and 60thou-miles. Hope to still have it when it gets to 120.

• 

  Great car for my needs - 2006 Scion xA
  By calpolyscion - May 30 - 9:10 pm

  I had the typical doubts about Scion. I didnt think it would survive as Toyotas child. The whole ad campaign of the hip gen y car is a bit tacky, but I believe but the car is a solid reminder that its a Toyota. I am one who prefers small cars however sometimes I fear that I am too small to be seen. The rear seats fold down easily to store my larger items when needed. Overall the Scion xA is a solid compact package. It is much cheaper than a Corolla with the standard options although the Corolla is a bit wider. The drivers seat position is more like that of a minivan or SUV and the speedometer and gauge are in the center, but this is easy to get used to and actually makes a lot of sense.