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 Car for the Money - 2006 Scion xA
By Rocco1 - June 12 - 3:10 amYou get tons in this car for the price. It is agile, quick, and responds well. It has strong brakes, too.
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With $4.00+ fuel - We made a great buy! - 2006 Scion xA
By Perfect! - June 11 - 2:10 pmWe bought this car for our 16 yr. old two years ago. 2 years later she loves her car even more with the sky rocketing fuel prices. She was rear ended last year at 30 MPH by a Ford F-150 and the car protected her wonderfully (in fact the frame didnt bend!) Was repaired like new in 10 days. We have not had any problems mechanical problems to date even after the accident. The Xa has excellent vision with few blind spots and is a very fun car to drive. With our high dollar Japanese and Euro imports costing $60.00-$80.00 dollars every fill up, any short coming (not many) of the Xa is made up at the pump!
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Great Little Ride - 2006 Scion xA
By R McInerney - June 5 - 6:33 pmThis little car car has a smooth comfortable ride and its maneuverability is great. Its tiny and cute outside, but has plenty of room for adult passengers in the front and back inside. Its large window area makes for really good view out of rear when backing. Driving the xA is a joy!
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Gotta Love It! - 2006 Scion xA
By mike - May 29 - 7:46 amConsidering it cost about the same as my stripped Civic hatch did in 1998, its an amazing deal. I have had no problems with my xA. It is easy to change the oil and its ergonomics and switchgear are first rate, The shifter snicks from gear to gear cleanly. The clutch takeoff is much smoother than my Civics. It has a smooth engine, plenty of power and torque compared to my 1.6L Civic. Its sight lines are excellent. Everything is tight and feels high quality.
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Love this little monster - 2004 Scion xA
By marco - May 24 - 8:46 pmI am so glad i got this car when i did very economic i get around 36 to 38 miles to the gallon, that is a plus with the pricey gas now days this is a unique small car with lots of room and a nice looking exterior I will buy it again no problem
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Summary of long review... - 2005 Scion xA
By Jon Savory - May 23 - 9:16 am1. External Appearance: Like a mini-minivan, really... the hood running parallel with the windshield isnt -that- new. 2. Interior Appearance and Feel SO much hard plastic and no where to rest an arm or store CDs. The toaster oven in certer console is cute but not functional! Seating front AND back is very comfortable for all. The Sound System sounds great but is HORRIBLE to use - so many little bottons! 3. Driving Feel The handing is top-notch for the price- class. Nothing has more punch or holds the road better. There is plenty of power in the 3-4000 rpm range. 4. Fuel Efficiency Sub-par. A higher ratio 5th gear would do wonders. 5. Quality Issues 2K miles already has a rattle!
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My most valued possession. - 2005 Scion xA
By algebraicjamz - May 8 - 7:23 amI was waiting for years to find a car that had artistic looks and excellent mileage that parks easily in my congested city center. I was getting close to buying an Echo as a serious comprimise when I saw the Scion xA was an option. I feel like they put a luxurious feel into the interior that I never expected. I love the handling. Like the Echo, I get blown around a bit on the highway, but thats the price I pay for the satisfaction I get when surrounded by "Stunningly Useless Vehicles" getting gouged at the gas pump. Usually the factory stereo is the thing you take out when installing a real one but the Pioneer is still earning its keep. I have had my car two years now and I love it more everyday.
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I love my Xa! - 2005 Scion xA
By DragonMama - April 25 - 10:00 amI have had my Xa for three months now and I love it. I bought it as a commuter car and am very happy with its overall performance. I have the 5 speed, which Ive found to have adequate acceleration to merge with traffic (which was a concern of mine before buying). It is high enough off of the ground that I dont feel overpowered by other vehicles, and when the back seats are folded down it has a remarkable amount of space for such a small car. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a fun, inexpensive, economical car.
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Needs Another Gear - 2006 Scion xA
By Texan - April 23 - 6:53 amThe Scion xA needs another gear, other than that, I like it. I still get 32-34 MPG at 75 mph, but it could use a little overdrive. The AC compressor seized up and burned up the belt. That shouldnt happen in a year-old car.
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ONE SWEET LITTLE RIDE!!! - 2005 Scion xA
By weezaworld - April 23 - 2:06 amMy wife and I bought this on our honeymoon, and it has turned into our second best wed gift(second to a quilt)! We love our car.....needless to say, it has been EVERYWHERE with us!!! (or rather we with it) Held hostage by the miraculous powers of the all new, all amazing 2005 scion XA!!! On a more serious note, this has been a great little car for us. Over 100000 miles, and nothing but plugs and oil change. We have often gotten around 40 mpg and have made MANY 1500 mile trips in it, and find it very comfy. The ONLY things I could complain about, is road noise at high speeds, no input jack on stereo, one annoying blind spot, and.....I guess thats it! Great car! We HIGHLY recommend!
