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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  The Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2004 Scion xA
  By ShawnD - April 7 - 4:20 pm

  I have had this car for almost two years and have put 47,000 miles on it thus far with no problems. The xA is very good on gas even though I have a heavy foot at times. I would definitely purchase another one.

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  Fantastic Car - 2005 Scion xA
  By lvenee - March 13 - 9:28 am

  We bought 2005 Scion brand new when gas prices started going up. We wanted a disposable car if you will, something cheap, good on gas. What we got is a fantastic car, we have 115 thousand miles on it and have done nothing to the car but replace tires. Its fun to drive, zips in and out of traffic, can park anywhere even if theres not much room. My husband and I are both tall people and it has a lot more space inside than what you might think. Ive driven this car a lot on small road trips (under 1000 miles) and just love it. I believe we will get over 200,000 on this vehicle and considering we paid a total of $14,000 including tax, title, license, I think we got a great deal.

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  Great Performer - 2005 Scion xA
  By Randy Wells - March 13 - 3:36 am

  The Scion Xa is a fun car to drive. It helps me navigate the congested traffic in a major Metro area with ease and confidence. Driver visibility all around is excellent. The sound system is a pleasure to use. All in all, it is worth every penny I have invested in it.

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  Glad to have it - 2005 Scion xA
  By Miles - March 9 - 11:23 pm

  I got my xA in june of 2005. I had to hang in there to get what I wanted but finally did. Its been a good car so far, have 34,000 miles on it now. The gas cap door cable busted and was replaced under warrantee and that engine check light going on turned out to be a bad timing gear sprocket and was covered also but I was surprised by that one actually.The gas mileage has been excellent and like some people I couldnt care less if other drivers get upset that Im not going fast enough for them. One of the stock tires has worn a lot quicker than the others.

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  Bad Gas Mileage - 2006 Scion xA
  By Russell Watters - March 9 - 12:16 am

  The window sticker showed 31 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. I have never even come close to that. The best I have gotten is is 23 city with the air off, 20 with it on and 27 on the highway. This car has been back to the dealer several times to check it and a Toyota rep came out last time. They say, "its only an estimate" too bad, you loose and we wont do anything about it. My other car, a 2001 Honda CR-V, get 27 mpg, need I say more. Dont buy this car for the gas mileage stated, it is 34% less than that.

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  The SCION XA Durable beyond belief. - 2006 Scion xA
  By dave - March 1 - 6:33 am

  Bought the SCION XA new for my wife in 2006 it has over 60K miles and 4 wrecks. 1. Hit a deer. (8 point buck) wiped out front grill/hood/radiator/fender.2, Truck rolled into her.(new rear hatch)(F350) 3. Lady rear ended her while stopped pushing her into another car.. Rear hatch/bumper front end rear new exhaust. 4.Hit and run wiping out passenger doors and rear quarter. Car looks and drives like new still yet.

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  Expecting improvement - 2006 Scion xA
  By Joseph - February 17 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this car three weeks ago and so far the car is responding okay. The only problem I see is the MPG performance, for the last 3 weeks I have filled my tank 4 times and driven only 600 miles. That is ~ $90 or 30 gallons which translates into 20 miles per gallon. So I took the car to Toyota service and was told that they cannot improve my cars mileage and they checked for leakage. I would like to know what I should do to bring my cars MPG up. I have also noted the need for extra horsepower and some shaking when driving over 80mph (more than what is expected). I feel the comfort when in front of the steering wheel and the fun of driving a small car.

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  Scion Xa - 2006 Scion xA
  By pat - February 15 - 11:33 pm

  I like the performance and pickup of this car. The price is economical and the mileage is great. My model is great looking and it is a whole lot of fun to drive. I previously drove a Toyota MR2 for 190,000 miles and wanted to stay with Toyota. This car is a great car for the price, performance and economy. I have a 2005 model and will buy another one.

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  Great buy and mileage - 2005 Scion xA
  By Debbi - February 14 - 2:50 am

  Fun to drive with lots of headroom! Great mileage - about 38 MPG in combined highway and city driving for us! Very comfortable seats - good back support at the base of the back - good for long trips! Feel very safe - with additional side airbags installed!

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  Warning for Scion xA Buyers! - 2006 Scion xA
  By scionwarning - January 22 - 6:53 pm

  I just paid $707.00 for repairs to the air vac system because I was told that "topping it off" can cause gas and air flow problems. I do not top my gas tank off. I may round off to the nearest 10, but I do not top off. My car has only 51,000 miles. I am 53 years old. My contention is if this is a problem with all Toyotas as I was told at the dealership, then a disclosure from Scion/Toyota should be made available and placed on the gas cap or sun visor or the warranty manual - somewhere. Buyers beware!! I am writing to the CEO and President of Scion as well.