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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  Still Adore Mine - 2006 Scion xA
  By sigh-on_not_sky-on - December 30 - 6:13 pm

  Bought my Scion (release series 3) new at the end of 06 and I still love it. Everyone who gets in loves it. Great fun to drive.

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  Wheel bearing problems - 2005 Scion xA
  By pvg1 - December 30 - 11:08 am

  171,000 miles. Replaced both front wheel bearings 3X. Rear bearings 1X. Too bad because everything else is original. Out of 6 cars I have owned this one is the first I ever had to replace a wheel bearing. I guess I made up for that with this one. I am looking for a new small car and since I dont want another car with wheel bearing problems I am not even going to look at the 2012 toyota yaris.

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  Great Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By ITSAXA - December 29 - 8:46 am

  I love my Scion xA. I got 260 miles from 8.4 gallons of gas today, thats 30 mpg in CITY driving, and I wasnt realy trying to save. If I had stayed below 2,000 rpm, it would of been better. I have the bazooka tube in the trunk and that adds punch to the great stereo. The motor is smooth and it moves the car very nicely. I have the 5-speed transmission because it was in the car on the dealer lot already. I would normally have bought the automatic (I think its $800) because the car motor is buzzy on the highway (4,000 rpm @ 80 mph). A friends car with the auto goes 3,000 rpm @ 80 mpg and sounds and feels much better at that speed. Other than that, this car scores a bullseye on everything. It comes loaded with stuff for $13,100 and you can add lots of aftermarket stuff. It is a nice car thats not boaring and does everything well.

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  Scion Xa - Little to Complain About - 2006 Scion xA
  By P. Wood - December 4 - 4:40 am

  I love this car and have only one thing I would improve on it , the power. It takes too long to warm up and change gears. It handles great and is extremely easy to park. Ive had other compacts with the same engine specs. that seemed to be a little more powerful. The interior fits a short person comfortably, and tall people dont feel closed in. The exterior and style are attractive and eye-catching. The accessories are impressive - only one thing is needed there, someway to fit in a console. All-in-all, I will buy another one if they are around when I need my next car.

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  65 & holding - 2005 Scion xA
  By 2005 scion xa - November 29 - 11:26 pm

  over all peppier then expected, so easy to park and holds all our grocerys in trunk area, we were looking for mileage (30 mpg +), price, ease of handling

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  First Car.. - 2004 Scion xA
  By Zach - November 28 - 8:13 pm

  Umm ive driven more than one car but only owned the XA and im very happy with it. I rear ended someone and the grill on the car wasnt stock..? so that cost me about $500 more. The gas pump is weird. When i go to fill up gas the pump kicks off a lot so i have to manual fill my tank most of the time.. annoying but not to inconvenient.

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  Brand New Scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By Rogna - November 22 - 4:53 am

  We have been a Toyota family since 198?. I just got my first Scion yesterday. So far, everthing has been excellent. The seats are the most comfortable Ive ever had in a car. It drove very smoothly and has a lot of room inside and a lot of pick up for such a small car. I will return to re-rate it when I have had it longer. My last Toyota was 11 years old and I put 33,750 miles on it. This Scion is my first automatic. Ive had stick shifts all my life. I kept looking for the clutch, LOL. I am 4 8" tall and I can reach the pedals on this new Scion. I had to add blocks to my past cars. Yet this Scion is a nice fit for my 6 1" husband.

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  Jons Review - 2004 Scion xA
  By SC Jon - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with my Scion xA. I have only experienced very minor problems (driver door adjustment). My only complaint is the air conditioner seems a little weak and is slow to cool down.

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  Best car - 2005 Scion xA
  By William ONeil - November 18 - 10:00 am

  The Best car i ever drove

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  Its a great bargain and great fun. - 2005 Scion xA
  By Lindagf1212 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Surprising comfort and flexibility. I went from a Honda Accord to the Scion xA. I drive into a crowded city everyday and it is much easier to park and maneuver. GReat milage. The only down I have found, the seat fabric stains easily.