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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Love It! - 2005 Scion xA
By Rachel m. - January 5 - 10:00 amI absolutely love this car! This was my first new car purchase, and I am so happy! The car is small on the outside, but roomy enough on the inside. I love the hatchback and fold down rear seats! I love the options. This car is perfect at base price, but it is fun to add extras. I love that it looks more expensive than it is.
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Scion Xa - 2005 Scion xA
By Wmindel - January 5 - 10:00 amA fun to drive car. Keep in mind, rear seat is quite small - probably couldnt comfortably seat adults. Also trunk is very small. Otherwise, great car, great mileage (34 mpg) and (hopefully) Toyota reliability.
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Goodness Me - 2006 Scion xA
By Brian Bratcher - December 20 - 5:20 amI love everything about this vehicle: the awesome interior to the stylish exterior (or as the ladies say, "cute" :) ). Not much get-up-and-go, but for $13,000 no one expects that. It is a lot of fun to drive, though.
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Very Poor Gas Mileage - 2006 Scion xA
By Kevin - December 11 - 6:23 pmI am not sure if this car has ever been able to get above 30 mpg. Everyone I know that has one gets about 27 mpg. The only reason I bought this thing is its supposed good mileage. I am selling it in the summer.
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my xA - 2004 Scion xA
By swimguard - December 3 - 2:00 ami love this car, its fun to drive, different than alot of other cars so you feel unique, i love it. it may be small on the outside but me and my friends fit comfortably in it. my best friend got one too!
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Best Car Ever - 2004 Scion xA
By Joe.H - December 2 - 1:16 pmWell the car is so good that i cant even say anything bad about it. Its confy and very very good in snow !!! Car crash also states good. And for that low money belive me you cant find better car !
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Scion xa - 2004 Scion xA
By Melissa - November 28 - 9:03 amI love my car! Its nice to have a compact car that sits higher and not on the floor. It handles nicely, has good gas mileage, and is cute too! The one and only thing I dont like is that somehow the way the gas tank is designed, causes the gas pump to kick off when fueling up. So, you have to manually fuel up at times.
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Fantastic Car, Great Value - 2004 Scion xA
By Kirk - November 22 - 8:26 amAfter driving the same car for 14 years, we needed something new. The sporty xA (as opposed to the hideous, boxy xB) was just what we were looking for. Power steering, brakes, windows, and door locks, anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger airbags, awesome fuel economy (we average about 30mpg), CD player/six-speaker stereo system and comfortably seats five - all standard! These features alone blew us away. Our son is 64" and sits comfortably in the back seat. Weve comfortably fit 5 adults at once. The only upgrades we purchased were fog lights and the six-disc CD changer, and it still cost us under $14,000. The Toyota engineering was also a major selling point. Highly recommended.
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Scion is for the College Student - 2005 Scion xA
By ScionLove - November 15 - 2:36 pmI love my new Scion. It was an easy purchase. Toyota financed my purchase without a cosigner and no down payment. How great is that! I havent had a single problem with the car, as of yet. The car doesnt pick up speed quickly, but who cares. As a commuter student, I need a reliable car and Scion provided it.
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Absolutely Love it!!!!! - 2006 Scion xA
By Denverite - November 1 - 10:00 amlived in a rural area and drove to the City everyday. Despite the high miles, this car has had absolutely no problems. regular maintenance is all that is has required. I live in a winter snowy area and it handles very well. Gas is between 35-40 mpg. This car has been the best of any I have ever owned or ridden in!!!!
