27th Dec 2005, 21:33

I've had my XA since September of 2003. So far, its been a really fun and extremely reliable car. I wouldn't mind if it had a larger engine and tighter turning radius, but all-in-all I don't think you'll find a better product for the price.

21st Feb 2006, 03:54

Wow this is an excellent review! I currently own a 1995 corolla and I can't wait till it dies... because I want to buy the XA. I personally don't like the center console, but how hard could it be getting used to it? I would prefer a bigger engine, at least a 1.6...although everyone says that the 1.5 is good enough. Unfortunately corollas don't die easily so the XA will have to wait... oh well :D.

21st Feb 2006, 17:16

I've never understood why someone would choose an xA over an xB.

The xB is better equipped, has a ton more room (in the same short footprint) and is a lot cooler looking.

I couldn't fit in the xA, but the xB feels like a limousine.

22nd Feb 2006, 10:03

We have a 2006 Xa and have been more than satisfied with the car in all respects - as long as one remembers that this is a car for a specific purpose - i.e. this is not a car to be driven on highways for long distances. It is an excellent City/Highway combination car which gets excellent gas mileage. In our case, with a combination of highway and city driving in the Southern Florida climate (a/c is on most of the time) of around 30 mpg. Our other car is a 2005 Prius and even though we love that car, for running around I prefer the Xa for its versatility and ease.

Thomas C. Knueppel

Tampa, Fl.

24th Mar 2006, 22:41

I found the car to be good except the clutch isn't too great. It doesn't catch very well and it's too hard to press, and the gas pedal is a little too hard to press as well. Also, the build quality is horrible. Almost all japanese cars have horrible build quality (as bad as koreans), but they have excellent reliability.

The engine doesn't shake the car, which I like, and for a small car it has a very smooth ride, like my old Daihatsu which I like as well.

All and all, it's not the best deal. In fact buying one used is a rip off, but you can find good deals used on occasion. I found a 2004 with only 29k miles fully loaded for only 9500! So if you can get one at this price, it's well worth it, but otherwise I'd wait till they drop the prices, which they will because the cost of building it is probably only 5k!

16th Apr 2006, 09:08

Scion is fixed pricing so you have to go with what they give you. Whatever the website states IS supposed to be what the dealer offers unless the dealer is offering a better deal.

Had a leased Scion xB for three years and it was near flawless.

Also be aware Toyota finance is totally incompetent when it comes to answering basic questions. Three different calls produced three different answers. And I found Scion service departments to be idiots. The cars are essentially the same as other Toyotas yet the dealership (went to two) couldn't even explain if something was under warranty or not.

And, look at features when comparing cars. The Scions are much more loaded than similarly priced competition.

23rd May 2006, 22:03

I would like to find one of these xA models to test drive. I live in lower NY state and have called all the Toyota dealerships within 150miles. NON had an xA with an automatic for me to test drive.

I did find a base model 2007 Yaris to test drive, but no S models available here yet.

Has anyone driven both the 2007 Yaris and the 2006 Scion xA for comparison???

29th May 2006, 17:04

I just test drove the XA and I am impressed. I am 6 foot and 235 pounds. There was plenty of room in the XA. I thought it would be cramped. The XA is very peppy with the 5 speed and it handles like it is on rails. The seating is high and firm and gives a good driving position. The steering wheel is tight with no play in it at all.

The only complaints I have are minor. The rear headrests get in the way when looking out the rear window. I was hoping for darker window tint. I am also concerned about the safety of passengers in the rear seat in case of being rear ended.

I currently drive a 1996 Dodge Ram. While the vehicle has been reliable I have had many issues with quality. The headliner fell, the paint is peeling, radiator leaks, dash cracked. But overall I really can't complain about it, I have 170000 miles on it after all. I am hoping that Toyota does not have such quality issues as my dodge does. I have never seen a Toyota with peeling paint.

I am going to buy an XA if for nothing else the price and fuel economy. At $13000 I guess you really can't beat it. But I will miss the cargo capacity of my truck.

30th May 2006, 10:19

I have had my car for about 13 months. I like everything about it except the mileage. The sticker said 32-38 MPG. I only get around 32 at the most and less in town. I have been on 65 interstate and should get more than that. I do not see how some can get 75mpg highway and 40 mpg in town. I love the handling, the stereo, the get up and go and the interior. I am just really upset with the mileage. That was the reason I bought it as I drive over 100 miles a day.

9th Aug 2006, 17:58

I drive an 06 XA and it's been great all around except for the mileage that I'm getting. I fill the tank 10.9 gallons, and it gives me a maximum of 310 miles. This is about 30 miles to the gallon, but in order to achieve this I had to drive like a little old lady. Now I did have my A/C on the whole time, but it shouldn't kill the sticker ratings posted on the car when I bought it. Normally I get 25 - 28 MPG, but it's still much better than my V8 Ford Explorer!

9th Aug 2006, 21:31

Nobody gets 75mpg with this car. Adjust your driving habits and you will see a steady 32-35mpg. Plus the "winterized" fuel you get kills your mileage and gas stations near you probably put a percent of ethanol in their fuel, which lowers mileage also. Make sure you break-in your car correctly and drive with an economic style, and you will see steady 32-35mpg. Make sure your tires are all properly pressurized and you're not carrying any extra weight.

28th Aug 2006, 16:28

I've had a 2006 XA for a year now; did serious research and chose this care for price, quality, gas efficiency. I am averaging 38 mpg. Lowest mpg 36.7, highest 40.1. So I'm surprised to see such low mileage from other posters.

I only had to use the a/c twice this summer, however.

I do love this little car. My boyfriend and I went camping and easily fit all the gear in the back. Long distance driving was more comfortable than my old mini-van. And having music from the ipod makes for a happy drive.

16th Sep 2006, 23:18

A previous comment states that one does not know how someone can get 75 mpg, that is a misquote, the comment reported 38 mpg at 75 mph, which I can definitely vouch for! Loving the car!

3rd Mar 2007, 17:48

Scions are great cars "considering that they're Toyota products." I might buy a Scion Xd later when they arrive at the dealers. It's suppose to replace the Xa for 2008, with a 1.8 liter instead of a 1.5 liter.

18th May 2011, 11:10

I just bought a used 2005 xA with 66k miles. So far it runs great and is a very clean car. Always wanted one and it's too bad they stopped producing the xA.

25th Sep 2011, 09:06

How big are you? I am 6'5" 230lbs and have no issues fitting in the car. In fact the first drive home after the purchase was 4 hours long, and I did not get out of the car cramped up whatsoever. There is plenty of room inside the xA.