2004-2006 Scion xA: Road Test

The xA is quick enough for city traffic, marginal for easy merging onto fast-moving freeways. An automatic-transmission test car clocked a lengthy 10.6 seconds 0-60 mph and showed meager midrange power for passing and hill climbing. The manual transmission shaves about a second from that time, but has rubbery shift action. Fuel economy is great, as it should be for a lightweight 4-cyl. compact. We averaged 33.3 mpg with manual transmission in mostly city driving, 28.0-30.5 mpg with automatic in city/highway use. Tidy size and quick, responsive steering make the xA a nimble urban runabout. A ride-biased suspension deals well with bumps, ruts and most broken pavement, though small-car choppiness occurs on freeways. Handling is safe and predictable, but compromised by moderate cornering lean from the soft suspension, plus limited grip from the skinny 15-inch tires. The bantam xA also wanders in gusty crosswinds and when passed by big trucks. Braking is good in routine driving, but emergency stops aren't super-short. Refinement is good, all told. The little engine becomes raucous above 4000 rpm, but isn't too noisy below that, so 60-70 mph cruising is reasonably relaxed. An apparently stout structure with ample sound-deadening keeps highway wind noise at bay and minimizes coarse-pavement tire thrum. A relatively high body allows occupants to sit comfortably upright, but this five-passenger car is more comfortable for four adults, and the seats are strictly economy-class for size and shape. All-around head room is just OK for six-footers, rear leg space limited. Drivers enjoy generally clear visibility and a tilt steering wheel. But like the sister xB, the xA carries gauges and warning lights in a central dashtop pod, which isn't angled toward the driver and renders instruments too small and distant for some eyes. Otherwise, Toyota's usual praiseworthy ergonomics prevail, with simple climate controls and high-set, easy-to-adjust stereo units. Cargo space is limited. There's room behind the rear seat only for about six grocery bags, and seat folding requires removing the headrests, though the sections lay fairly flat. Cabin storage comprises a modest glovebox, small front-door map pockets, and two dashboard cubbies.

Value for the Money
It may be badged a Scion, but the xA is pure Toyota. That implies solid workmanship and long-lived reliability, plus strong resale values, though it's too early to tell how Scions fare on that score. Otherwise, the xA offers little that can't be found in rival compacts, many of which are usefully larger, faster, more refined and no less frugal with gas. What's more, few used xAs are on the market yet. We think Toyota's own Corolla is a better choice for value and all-around satisfaction. Shoppers should also consider a late-model Ford Focus, Honda Civic or Mazda 3, all of which have pluses of their own.