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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Great little car - 2006 Scion xA
By j - May 22 - 2:00 amThis has been the BEST car Ive owned. Yes, its little. Yes, its basic. But if you want something that is awesome on gas mileage--39-40 mpg mixed and extremely reliable, this is your car. I have put over 86,000 on my XA w/o any problems. It handles great in the snow w/ decent tires, you can park anywhere and it always started--even when it dipped around 30 below.
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fun, stylish, functional - 2004 Scion xA
By VIOLET - May 18 - 2:00 amI LOVE THIS CAR !!!!! COULD HAVE BOUGHT A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE CAR BUT THIS WAS MY CHOICE AND GLAD I DID !! I ALSO BOUGHT 2 MORE FOR MY KIDS!!!!
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Go for the Special Edition - 2005 Scion xA
By f_tahesh - May 17 - 9:56 pmThis seemingly tiny car has exceptional style, performs famously, and handles unbelievably well (more like a German car than a Toyota) due to the traction and stability control (only offered on the red Special Edition).
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The Car People SHOULD Want - 2004 Scion xA
By ozlaxr - May 10 - 5:46 pmIf you know what youre getting this car is perfect. Its a simply built car with just the right standard features (except cruise control). If you can live with a high-revving cruise speed ie. 3000 rpm @ 60 mph, 4000 rpm @ 80 mph, then youll be fine. After 103,000 miles these are my findings: 40,000 mi: New tires: Yokohama Avid TRZs so theyll last longer than the terrible stock tires. 80,000 mi: new brake pads and rotors. 100,000 mi: new front right wheel bearing. So overall, not so bad. Ive heard the bearings are a weakness on the car, but one per 100K? I think I can live with that.
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Better then a New Beetle - 2005 Scion xA
By Rene H Dessureau - April 17 - 6:03 amLove this little car, more fun to drive then the wifes Avalon Xls, Kids love the car
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awesome car - 2004 Scion xA
By kimbr - April 1 - 10:00 amthis car is fun to drive easy to fit in almost any parking spot and is great on gas. Its a must have car.
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It Rocks! - 2005 Scion xA
By srocco - March 26 - 10:00 amThis is the greatest car I have ever found. I ordered to how I wanted it, it is smoothe to drive, and it makes heads turn with its "new age" type look.
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way to go toyota. - 2005 Scion xA
By megasms - March 26 - 10:00 amThe handling is nice and tight; gas mielage is obsurdly awesome; looks unique, and has turned many heads. I love it.
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Never Again - 2005 Scion xA
By Dont Buy One - March 21 - 10:00 amThis is the biggest mistake I have ever made. I have had to take this car back to the dealership (Folsom, California) several times. The electrical system is sub-par. The dealership has been a joke.
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Updated Review - 2006 Scion xA
By Rogna - March 12 - 5:30 pmThe longer I own my little Scion xA the more I love it. Wherever I go people ask me, "What is it?" It is a great ice breaker. This car is the most fun to drive. I love it. I get about 30 - 32 MPG and that is just driving around town in traffic. One man, a borough worker, pulled his backhoe up to our driveway as he was passing by, stopped, and asked what kind of car it was. My 6 1" husband, who had bought a Toyota Tacoma a week before, said he would buy the xA if he did not need a truck. He loves it. This car reminds me of the USA TV channels advertisement: "Characters Wanted." Its for the person who is an individualist. We truly *love* it!
