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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good buy - 2004 Scion xA
By casino - January 6 - 10:00 amits a good buy and turns heads as well
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Fun to Drive, Great on Gas Needs Cruise - 2006 Scion xA
By Miss Ellie - December 29 - 3:23 pmI bought this as a commuter car for my husband to replace his truck. Car is great, zippy and fun to drive. RPM at 60 MPH is 3000 and feels like it needs a 6th gear. Otherwise, make sure you order cruise. My 22 year old loves this car. Nice MP3 connection as well. Very comfy back seat, and versatile layout for storing groceries and cargo. Buy it, youll like it!!
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XA= great value - 2004 Scion xA
By Marvin Veneman - December 24 - 2:00 amScion is commited to customer satisfaction. I`ve owned this car for over 6 months and have no complaints at all.
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It Needs a Sunroof - 2006 Scion xA
By LandaOz - December 21 - 3:46 amThe xA is a great car if you are looking for a small vehicle to zip around in and it has great mileage. It is so hard to find a little 2 door hatchback like the ones that we all grew up with, but this fits the mold. I had a 2 door RAV4 and miss it terribly, but this is kinda like a little SUV. It is small, but but fits quite a bit of stuff for a single or couple.
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This car Rules the Planet - 2006 Scion xA
By Sharon - December 20 - 12:26 amI purchased the 2005 Scion Release Series, with a 2.0 liter engine. There are only 1,700 of these cars made. What drew me to it was it already had everything I wanted in a Scion. Total cost $15,000. I took my car on a trip from Madsion, WI to Charleston SC, The car was loaded to the top. I spent $70.00 on gas for a 1,000 mile ride, impressive right? I had no trouble plowing thru the Smoky Mountains. This car is like driving a race car. I was burnin the track & takin names. Scion has a price point system. All Scions come base price and each extra costs a price, no running back & forth to a manager. It was the first time I bought a car and didnt feel ripped off!
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The affordable MINI - 2005 Scion xA
By pharaoh13 - December 11 - 11:43 amI absolutely love this car! Im in the process of getting the cold air intake to beef up the slightly underpowered HP. This thing handles like a sports car and I crave for turns at high speed. The xA begs to be thrown into turns and driven though heavy traffic due to its small demeanor. I would have bought two if I had enough money, just so I wouldnt have to drive a loaner in the rare event that it would have to be in the shop. Test drive this car and you will not look at anything else thats in its class. Theres no point!
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One Happy Owner - 2005 Scion xA
By Patrick - November 15 - 7:13 amI have driven my Scion xA 1,800 miles and am extremely pleased with all aspects of this car. It lacks an outside temperature gauge, but other tham that it is a 10.
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Scion xA - 2006 Scion xA
By Arroyo - November 10 - 2:06 amI was looking for a small car that got great gas milage but not at the cost of a hybrid. I bought the Scion xA based on Edmunds.coms review. Im so happy I did. The car has actually outperformed my original expectations. It seats 5 people quite comfortably and the ride is surprisingly smooth for such a small car. The car is about 8 months now and I have had zero problems with it so far. I love it.
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I love my Scion - 2005 Scion xA
By Evan - November 7 - 8:00 amI love my new Scion xA. I decided t get the one with all of the features on it and I love everything about the car.
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Fun! Plus Economical to Buy and Drive - 2005 Scion xA
By Kevin Mack - November 1 - 5:56 pmI wanted a four door that would be reliable and economical to buy and drive. I took my 17 year old daughter with me car shopping, and brought home the Absolutely Red Version 1.0 Scion xA. I have been very pleased with the car. It is fun to drive, and it NEVER fails to draw positive comments from total strangers. I use it for business, taking grown men to lunch, and they all love it, even though it is targeted at the younger market. I call it my mid- life crisis on a budget.
