2009 Scion xD: Road Test
2009 Scion xD ▼
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- MSRP: $14,650 - $15,450
- Invoice: $13,917 - $14,677
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Our road test for the 2009 Scion xD includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Scion xD from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Scion xD, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Scion xD help you decide if a 2009 Scion xD is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3.2 |
Acceleration from a stop is adequate at best with either manual or automatic transmission, but hills noticeably slow progress. Passing power is OK around town but modest at highway speeds. Throttle action is soft, which frustrates smooth driving. The automatic transmission can be slow to downshift. The manual transmission has a smooth clutch and shifter.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 |
In Consumer Guide testing, manual-transmission xD models returned 28.8-29.2 mpg in mostly city driving. An automatic version averaged 28.8 mpg in city/highway use. The xD uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 |
Somewhat floppy suspension tuning and a short wheelbase contribute to jiggling and hopping over bumps, though no more than is typical for the subcompact class.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5.1 |
xD's light steering lacks road feel. Somewhat soft suspension damping allows for early onset of tire squeal and plenty of body lean in fast turns. The brakes are strong and responsive.
QUIETNESS
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
The engine buzzes under acceleration, and there's lots of tire noise on all except smooth asphalt. Wind rush is modest.
CONTROLS
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
Thankfully, xD's dashboard layout is more conventional than the Scion xB, with the speedometer and tachometer sharing a round dial mounted directly in front of the driver. High-mounted audio and climate controls are easy to reach and decipher. The available navigation system incorporates some audio controls, complicating their use. Some testers dislike that the stereo's power button is separate from the volume knob.
DETAILS
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5 |
The interior is awash in hard plastics but avoids looking really cheap.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Good seat comfort and driver positioning, but the seat lacks height adjustment, and taller folks might find headroom and legroom tight. The long of leg also might wish for a longer seat cushion for proper thigh support. Visibility is bad to the rear corners due to thick roof pillars but is OK otherwise.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3.4 |
The seat is high set, but entry and exit suffer from fairly narrow door openings. Limited legroom means even smaller passengers will be cramped. Fore and aft sliding seats seem more like a novelty than a benefit to passenger comfort.
CARGO ROOM
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5.2 |
The rear seat slides fore and aft about six inches to expand cargo room, and a panel flips up from the cargo floor to fill the gap that appears when the seat is forward. Split rear seatbacks lie flat and can be folded without removing the headrests. The large cargo area includes underfloor bins, but there's only room for a few grocery bags with the rear seat up and shoved back to accommodate passengers. There are plenty of in-cabin slots and pockets, but some of them are too small to be really useful.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 6.9 |
Scion's xD is a Recommended subcompact that offers a host of safety features and standard amenities. The xD shares the practical, utilitarian nature of its xA predecessor and xB sibling but with more-conventional styling and layout that give it broader appeal.
Total Score
| Base, manual | Base, automatic | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | 58 | 57.8 |
Total Score: 59
Scores for all Subcompact Cars
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