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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  I love my Scion XA - 2004 Scion xA
  By april - July 8 - 4:46 pm

  I love my little car. We bought it right off the show room floor. It is the best car I have ever had. I would never give it up.

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  Gas Mileage and looks - 2005 Scion xA
  By Bufferlow - July 7 - 10:00 am

  I was originally interested in the Mini Cooper or a hybrid but after finding out the wait time and reading some of the horror maintenance stories about the Mini and hybrids, I found the XA. It has been a great little car. Has most features you would want and great options. The "Saturn" like sales price makes decision-making on purchase easy. You either accept or walk...no goofing around waiting for the next offer. My dealer did not make it painful when we discussed extended warranties and the like...that was a relief.

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  Bad egg - 2005 Scion xA
  By kretek1 - July 5 - 11:31 pm

  Two wheel bearings out, two bent wheels replaced, stabilizers replaced, brakes and calipers replaced, wheel fitting replaced, all fluids replaced, two batteries dead. Its cost me $1,700 to repair a car worth $4,800. Screw that. Its not worth it. Go with a Honda. Its only been 78,000 miles.

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  My Scion - 2005 Scion xA
  By doris bledsoe - June 17 - 12:46 am

  I really like my car. I wish it had better hub caps and less air noise while driving. I love the color. I wish i knew how to take the fla. luv bugs off. They took off some paint in a matter of 2 days, leaving white specks on the hood yuck. But all in all I LOVE MY xA!!

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  Fantastic Value - 2005 Scion xA
  By smalls77 - June 16 - 4:26 am

  The Scion xA really surprised me. I was originally looking at the Mini Cooper (for fuel economy and style), but since Im starting a family I decided to check out four door cars. After seeing what this car had to offer for such a low price, it was the clear winner. My brother purchased an xB shortly before I bought my xA, and they weighed heavily on my decision. Were both extremely satisfied with our purchases. The xA is deceivingly roomy inside. I drive about 90 miles per day (round trip), so the fuel economy was the biggest selling point for me. The interior size, sporty styling, and spirited ride are just icing on the cake.

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  Scion xA Rocks! - 2006 Scion xA
  By david mindrup - June 12 - 6:33 am

  My Scion xA is just GREAT! At 31/38 mpg, I can drive, drive, drive!

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  Review - 2006 Scion xA
  By JoManda - June 7 - 10:33 am

  I love the car. I already used its easy to use fold down seats. With that it has tons of room for such a small efficient car.

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  never have I loved like this - 2005 Scion xA
  By olygrrl - May 1 - 3:13 am

  Love this car! stylish, fun to drive, great fuel numbers and frankly the best car that I have ever owned. I drove many small and mid sized cars in my 2 year search and fell in love just sitting in this car. Then I drove it and was hooked. Looked for almost a year for right car at right price and am so happy that I finally found her. I will never drive another. This is it for me. WOW!

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  Barts view - 2004 Scion xA
  By Scionbro2004 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  The car is pretty cool for the price, it was my first car that i bought brand new. Im 20.

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  I Love My Scion - 2005 Scion xA
  By PrettyEyes - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is my first car, it was bought as a gift and I absolutely love it. Prospective buyers can go online and build the car exactly how you want it from the ground up. Its really fun to drive, has a nice sound system and its fuel efficient(for the folks looking for their kids). An added bonus is that you dont see many of them out there, so youre almost like one of a kind. I got mine in the black cherry pearl and its real tough. So if youre thinking about getting one you should. I did and I love mine.