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:

• 

  Great car - 2004 Scion xA
  By Blue pacific17 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car fun to drive great on gas quality feel

• 

  I love my car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Vanessa - February 17 - 6:20 pm

  I just bought a Scion about a week ago, this car is great. It is my first new car and i really like it. The gas mileage is great. The car drives well and it definitely is cool, the interior is very nice. This is the perfect economy car.

• 

  05 xA stone gray - 2005 Scion xA
  By xascion05 - February 15 - 7:23 am

  My xAs gas milage is great. My average city mileage is 33 mpg. Thats even with goosing it a bit. Mine has a lot of the acessories - fogs, red steering wheel with red led int. lights, spoiler,15" 10 spoke rims, cruise, tinted glass, auto, carbon door sills, ect. The biggest waste is the led cupholders and floor lights, they are just a silly gimic. But thats how it was put together at the dealer when I saw it. This has been a reliable car. It has even hauled 800 yes 800 lbs. of materials to job sites in a pinch with the seats folded flat.

• 

  Fantastic Car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By bruzoo - February 12 - 10:03 am

  We bought our Scion over 5 years ago. It has been VERY dependable and a lot of fun to drive! Visibility (Im short) is very good!! My husband has taken it over...:)

• 

  Generally OK, some issues need attention - 2005 Scion xA
  By Ed man - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Wiper motor burned out in less than 1 day. Seat belt clip broke day 5. Multiple LOUD rattle developed. Not good mileage. Radio exptememly difficult to figure out and to operate when you do. Radio rates a 1 out of ten. I may replace it.

• 

  Nifty Thrifty Handy Dandy - 2006 Scion xA
  By cats_meow - February 6 - 11:12 am

  PRos: -Excellent on gas (better than my bfs 03 civic hybrid) -Standard Mp3 AUdio Aux -Sits high which gives the illusion of more space & provides the driver w/false bravatto in traffic -Rear-seats fold down for strange situations that require adequate storage Cons: -Blind Spots -WIde handling on turns -Slippy-slides in rain -Poor AC power (On the highest setting, its not comparable to a low setting on my 03 Saturn Ion) -Low placement of cup holders, similar to a truck (I dropped a tea on the floor of the car, a wk after I owned it trying to get it into the cup-holder) Conclusion: It can provide flat-bed space, low maintanance costs & poor AC power but your pockets will smile!

• 

  mini suv modified - 2004 Scion xA
  By agapekid - January 17 - 10:00 am

  i was looking for a crv or a rav4. but after taking a look at the scion i realized that it was close enuff to both except for the fact that it was higher. mileage beats any of the mini suvs out there. space-wise its close enuff. the trunk space could be a bit bigger, but the 60/40 split for the back seats help a lot. its roomier than it looks. 108 hp engine with 105 torque, so i wouldnt try to lug anything around. but i dont recommend you do that with a rav4 or a crv anyway. handles good. suspension is decent for a japanese car. dont expect it to be a dodge. overall, i think its a great purchase. itll keep me goin for a LONG while.

• 

  xA review - 2006 Scion xA
  By mczarski - January 6 - 11:26 pm

  Great little car if you want excellent gas mileage, good standard features, and way low price. We looked at all the high mileage cars, except the hybrids, and this was the best bang for the buck. Rides smooth, a little loud under full throttle, but that is to be expected from a 1.5 liter moving 2,000 plus pounds. Drives fine til about 80-85 mph, then it starts to be a little too loud from the engine bay. Put in some dynamat and it might be somewhat quieter.

• 

  What a cutie! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Candise - January 6 - 7:30 am

  I just got my Scion xA. Trading in my VW Beetle for it was a smart move. It needs better visability and gas milage, but I would buy another one. A sunroof would make this vehicle a sure sale for me. Keep em comming.

• 

  MUST HAVE CAR - 2005 Scion xA
  By MEXMEXICANANGEL - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS UNEXPENSIVE AND HAD A BETTER FUEL ECONOMY.MY FAMILY THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD LOOKING BUT AFTER THEY SAW THE SPORTY LOOK DESIGN.THE SOUND STEREO SOUNDS GREAT ALSO.THE TRUNK MIGHT LOOK SMALL BUT IT CAN FIT ALOT OF THINGS!