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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  The bomb - 2004 Scion xA
  By markd - October 19 - 2:00 am

  All i can say it is the best car I have ever owned

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  I love my lil XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By wrightboss - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Its been great. The gas milage is what I loved honestly. But its cute, has great air conditioner, and is very stylish. Drives pretty well considering the price.

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  Lovin my xA - 2005 Scion xA
  By Chrissy - October 11 - 6:36 pm

  I just bought my xA this weekend and I havent had it even a week and I just cant believe how much I got for such little money. This car had everything I was looking for. I wanted something with great gas mileage, I wanted 4 doors, reliability, something I could take my Rottie in, and something with a decent stereo. The xA wasnt even on my list to consider. I thought they were cute but for some reason I over looked it. When I went to the dealership there were 2 on the lot a silver one that had been owned by a obvious previous smoker. Then there was my blue one that had much higher miles then what I was looking for but with a 3 year bumper to bumper not an issue anymore.

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  Love it but whats up with the brakes? - 2006 Scion xA
  By San Antonio - October 10 - 1:33 am

  I bought the car brand new and have had it for over 2 years. I love the car, but am wondering whether anyone has had problems with their brakes. At 20,000 I had all the pads replaced. Now at 45,000 I had to have the rotors replaced. Im not a braking type of driver. Also, I used to get over 35 mpg now Im down to about 26 mpg. What could be the problem? Other than that, the car has been wonderful.

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  Love This Car - 2004 Scion xA
  By jenamo1 - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Best buy you can ask for. Looked for a car for over two years and discovered Scion while looking at a Toyota. The "as is" pricing policy was such a pleasant experience compared to most dealers I visited. The car drives very smoothly, comes with great options, looks amazing, and gets unbelievable gas milage and insurance rates. Be prepared to receive glances and questions everywhere you go.

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  Better than the minivan for gas! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Bob - September 3 - 6:16 pm

  The great thing about this car was that it had a lot of features for the small price. I read in this review how many are able to get great gas mileage but unfortunately I am not really able to come close to many of these. For example, just city driving alone I get 25-26 mpg. When I make 1 freeway trip at least once a week, that will jump to 29-30 mpg, so I know the potential is there for greater mpg. Now, even with its "low" mpg, its still a great car. I am almost 200 lbs, plus the local street I take to work, you really cant "take it easy" with the gas otherwise you could get a lot of people mad at you. So it is with semi- to aggressive driving that I get this mpg.

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  Good Fuel Economy - 2004 Scion xA
  By dasheffield - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This car gets great gas mileage 32-36. this is very important to me because I am a courier and I use my car alot. It takes me less than $20.00 to fill up. If you are a big person this car will be a little tight for you. This is easy to get in and out of, you dont have to bend down to get into the car. This car comes with AC and a radio with a cd player. You get this for less than $14,000. Good Deal

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  Cute Lil Thang - 2004 Scion xA
  By Layla - September 1 - 10:00 am

  It runs great except when its trying to climb a hill or going 70 mph, you have to really step on the gas hard. doesnt tell you when your car is REACHING the over heating point, so i can prevent it,just has the dummy light car IS over heated.door panel, plastic. when you are opening your door,your hand will brush against and there will be "dry skin" marks. When your headlight is left on,it will have a beeping noise.speaker-Everyone thought I had a sound system.The door handles are like the volkwagon.standard power locks and windows.looks like its sister,toyota matrix.gave me more than I would have ever expected from a car under 15000

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT !!!! - 2004 Scion xA
  By CHER - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I WENT TO TOYOTA TO LOOK AT THE SOLARAS AND LEFT WITH AN XA. I LOVE THIS CAR. STYLE MEETS ECONOMY AND FUNCTION. ITS GREAT

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  Rough Idle - 2005 Scion xA
  By depthcharge - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Drove the xA as a test drive for several hours. Fit and finish is superb, and acceleration is decent. Great city car with good handling (comparing to my RX300). However, my test car has a very rough idle. It trembles at the stop light all the time. Brakes are very mushy and have little feedback. I still dont like gauges at the center. I want them at the driver side in front of me!