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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  So Cute and so much fun! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Myscion04 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I get a lot of compliments everywhere I go! Friends,family,co-workers,school staff,high school students. I get countless smiles just driving around town. It is an attractive little car. Sometimes the stares can get annoying though. Soooo cute!!!! Thank you for this fine little toy!

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  Enjoying Scion XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By Bortnick - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I cant rate reliablility, as it is brand new for me. But I assume it is good. I love driving it!

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  could not be more happy with this car - 2005 Scion xA
  By daila - September 1 - 10:00 am

  this car is one of the best that i have ever owned!!!

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  Ive been meaning to write something for awhile. - 2006 Scion xA
  By super__scion - August 10 - 2:49 pm

  When I was shopping far my first car in 2008, I had relied a lot on edmunds.com reviews. I was fortunate enough to see a scion xA for sale near me and immediately looked into it. Ive been meaning to put my 2 cents on here about this car: I LOVE IT. If you are on the fence about going with a scion xA, hop the fence, and go get that car. Its extremely efficient, fits everywhere, fun to drive, impressively roomy for such a small design, and just a really great vehicle. Im so glad I went with it, great first car, looking forward to keeping it that way for many years to come. Ive had it for four years and Im still always happy to see it in front of my house!

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  Great Car - 2004 Scion xA
  By dave806 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I went to the dealer looking for an ECHO and came away with a SCION. The SCION is based on the ECHO (which I hear is being discontinued), but is so much better looking. Add to this all the standard options you get that you would have to pay for with the ECHO and the SCION is by far the better deal.

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  awesome car! - 2004 Scion xA
  By matt arcuri - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Awesome and fun car to drive. Lokk of it is weird at first, but then it grows on you and you really start to like it. Always get looks from other drivers. car handles beautifuly, with a good amount of power for a 4-cyl. Great gas milage too! Awesome car all-around!

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  Gotta love it! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Matt - July 17 - 11:26 pm

  We have had our scion XA for almost a year. We have totally loved it. A random stranger at a stop light rolled down her window to tell me how much she loved the car. We have driven it all over the west coast. There havent been any problems whatsoever.

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  Best hatchback - 2004 Scion xA
  By chrislee - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Since we have a small family we were determined to get a hatchback, and the Scion is great. We are moving to Boston next month so this is going to be a great vehicle for us. Very usable and seems reliable.

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  Scion XA - 2004 Scion xA
  By kheinly - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Car is fun to drive, great gas mileage and fun to drive. Price is excellent for a Toyota Sister Co. Car looks small but the inside actually has good space. Trunk is small. I usually leave the back seats down for the extra room. Seats in the back limit visiablity out the rear. Overall a very good car.

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  Sciontology! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Im Still a Believer - May 24 - 12:33 pm

  After 18 months of ownership, this car still pleases and rewards on a daily basis. Gas mileage is a rock solid 35 in town and 40.5 on the highway. Its nimble, quiet and can take on almost any parking space. Seats are supportive. Driving position is upright and commanding. Radio sound quality is great. And with the optional side-curtain airbags and ABS, I have a measure of security.