By Megan Benoit
August 31, 2007 -
The Scion brand has turned to face some strange ch-ch-changes over the last model year. The bento-box-on-wheels xB was re-fashioned for American tastes, exchanging hip Nipponese style for porky gangsta chic. And now the xA, the mini-minivan-shaped thingie that somehow (unfortunately) captured the spirit of the orthopedic Toyota Echo, has been axed. In a break with ToMoCo’s tradition of maintaining model names, Scion has decided to replace the xA with the xD, a mini-CUV-shaped thingie with bad ‘tude. Go figure.
I suppose the best thing that can be said about the xD’s looks is that they’re not nearly so bad in person. The four-door’s evil Pokemon bumper isn’t quite as offensive as it appears in photos. The teeny rear window isn’t really as small as an Electra-Glide’s windscreen. The flame-surfaced sides aren’t as dopey as a Bimmer’s. And the overall effect isn’t nearly as revolting as it could be.
That said, the xD’s grossly distended C-pillar, which links it with the hideous xB, is worse than it appears. Why Scion decided that this visual obstruction should be the brand’s new visual signature is beyond me; unless they’re secretly in cahoots with the insurance industry. I digress.
The xD’s interior is surprisingly swank for one so affordable. Thankfully, the dash ditches the xA’s heinous center display for a more user-friendly central speedo; albeit one housed in a plastic surround reminiscent of a Kohler urinal. The xD’s climate control dials were lifted straight from the Camry, but their tactility doesn’t induce instant recoil. Even better, all the hard bits are sparkly and shiny. And the xD’s sporty-looking chairs are firm and supportive, despite their cuddly-soft covering.
More to the target demographic, the xD’s standard Pioneer-branded audio system offers wheel-mounted iPod connectivity (take that VeeDub). For an additional $389, you get six sick speakers and wikkid graphics. Pony-up $1950 for the Alpine sat nav audio system and you’re looking at backlit blue buttons, touch screen, hidden DVD player– enough bling to satiate all but the crunkest of pimps. While that’s well over 10 percent of the car’s purchase price, the F&I guy’s got a deal for you…
On paper, the interior of the xD is smaller than the xA it replaced. Yet it manages to feel bigger inside. That’s because the rear seats are well off the floor and set back farther into the trunk, affording rear-seat passengers the kind of legroom xA passengers dreamed about/prayed for. You can slide the xD’s rear seats forward from the hatch, adding an extra four to five inches of length. The seats also fold flat, providing plenty of cargo space for college-bound rug rats or yard sale-haunting retirees.
Start ‘er up, put the pedal to the metal and you’ll know why this car costs $16k. The xD’s 1.8-liter, Corolla-sourced engine squirts out 128-horses. First gear is woo-hoo fun, second gear is a crushing disappointment, and third and fourth are totally forgettable. To help compensate, Toyota offers an automatic setup whereby you can quickly downshift into third gear for passing. At which point the four cylinder mill starts thrash talking, providing nothing particularly helpful in the way of oompf. Hey it’s the thought that counts.
The steering is light and nimble, if predictably numb. The xD rolls through corners like a drunken frat boy, but there is little understeer (a non-speed-related bonus) and dealer-sourced sway bars and a handful of other performance mods will make it, uh, better. Anyway, get a grip (so to speak). At its heart, the xD is an economy car for economy-minded buyers. And that leaves only one real beef with the car’s “performance:” the astonishing amount of wind and tire noise whilst underway. This baby needs some Lexus DNA, stat.
The xA’s 2300lb. curb weight and minuscule engine deliver 27/35 miles per gallon (EPA new method, automatic transmission). Big bruddah xD weighs 300 lbs more, and sports a larger engine, leaving drivers with a slightly less miserly 26/32. But if you like extra grunt– OK, any grunt– it may be worth sacrificing the extra gas for your pleasure.
In driving for the cheap, urban hipster segment with the first round of Scions, Toyota managed to nail the cheap, middle-aged set square between the eyes. The xB and xA were hits with the gray-hairs, selling in surprising amounts to people who just wanted something small and versatile with great gas mileage. Now that the new xB and xD thoroughly alienate that set of purchasers– due to their shoddy gas mileage and menacing sheetmetal– what’s left?
Most of the cool kids are driving Hondas, after all. But the xD is an amazingly cheap deal. In base trim, the xD doesn’t feel that cheap to drive (take that, Versa). In the end, it speaks better to Scion’s target audience than the xA ever did, even if its more aggressive demeanor disappoints prior fans.
4 / 5 Stars | Scion xD rating summary and performance review
Subscribe to Newsletter
More Reviews65 Responses to “ Scion xD Review ”
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 » Show All Reverse Order
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 » Show All Reverse Order
Leave a Reply 
Back to Top
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blinklist
Furl
Netscape
Google
NewsVine
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
YahooMyWeb
Windows Live
POWERED
August 31st, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Looks like what the Matrix shouldawouldacoulda been… still… I don’t get the Scion
blandbrand.August 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I can’t even think about the xA to xD conversion…I’m still grieving over what happened to the xB.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Thanks for the review, I’ve actually been waiting for it, just to see if this is just an uglier five-door Yaris. $16000 seems like too much to me. I guess it’s that Toyota brand premium. And that’s exactly what a Fit Sport goes for, so maybe not. But I think I can stretch just a little bit and get a new, stripped Mazda 3 on Z-plan (prolly want those airbags in the Mazda, though).
Glad to see the dial is in the right place. Someone needs to tell Mini theirs looks like a Safeway produce scale.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
While the original xB was a cool little box, it has morphed into one of the ungainliest vehicles on the road. Simply odious.
The xD is at least inoffensive, but the huge drop in gas mileage will surely alienate the people who really buy them (parents- for their kids, and grandparents - for themselves).
I’d much rather have a Fit (I am SO witty)than be seen in this penalty box.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Oddly, I don’t think the xD needs to appeal to the old folks anymore. The original xA and xB seemed to come across as a new way to sell Echos in the US - Echos sold fine in Canada, and we didn’t get any Scions of our own.
Now that the Yaris is selling in the US, wouldn’t that overlap with the xD enough to satisfy the gray-hairs looking for simple transport? Similarly, won’t the Matrix (and the next Corolla-based wagon/5 door hatch) be enough of a substitute for the new xB to satisfy the other demographics not originally targetted by Scion?
August 31st, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I looked at one of these (didn’t drive); the interior quality seemed quite nice for the price (not Caliberesque in the least); but like the Fit, the ergonomics are a bit goofy for 6+ footers, and not as much elbow room as I’d like. Nicer stereo, but the Fit’s guage cluster is cooler.
It’s a wash if:
You want better mileage, “open”, “cute”, more useable room –Fit.
You’ll give up a little mileage and room for a more aggessive style/performance: xD.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I admit that the new car look of today is totally different during the 90’s.
They have more Aerodynamic look and futuristic in style. I think the consumer behavior again is being judge. If you noticed trucks, cars and suv’s have sharper front end nose or flatter with grills and more on the hood scoop or scoops, tarmacs,spoilers and body kits.
I think if you are 45 and older you wouldn’t like the Scion Xd or other cars that look more like the Delorean style but not with teens and twenty-something boomerang generation they love this kind of a car.
Even my father who is only 40 yrs old loves the new style of cars out there. He said if they can only make trucks more futuristic like the Isuzu Vehi-cross.
He will feel more 20 something but he is part of the Generation x crowd that are getting older but still have taste for new car design.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Hurry up Nissan and bring out the cube to the US and sell to the old Xb market. I’m interested in seeing how many they can sell in comparison to the new Xb
August 31st, 2007 at 2:57 pm
These numbers appear to be from the pre-2008 test, while those for the xD are from the new test. Under the new test, the auto xA gets 27/35. Not quite as drastic of a difference.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Under the new test, the auto xA gets 27/35. Not quite as drastic of a difference.
I call that drastic. Especially since the xD now gets the same gas mileage as my GTI. Which has a larger engine, a turbo, and much more power. And then consider that everything else in its class gets better gas mileage — yes, it’s got a more powerful engine, but most people in the small car segment expect better. I think even the Corolla squeezes out better mileage than this.
Shaker, I didn’t have too much trouble fitting in the front or rear seats, and I’m 5′10″. I suppose you can take that with a big grain of salt, but i have super long legs and managed to do pretty well. Wished it had a telescoping steering wheel, though.
I’ve driven the Fit, and the xD, and the Versa, and of all three, I’d take the xD, despite its vomitous appearance. The Fit just wasn’t as fun, and the Versa had the cheapest interior imaginable. For $16,000, you’re getting a pretty dang decent car with the xD.