First Drive: 2008 Scion xD
I got a little worried when I learned the new Scion xD shares its platform with the subcompact Toyota Yaris, a car purely about point-to-point transportation that's not the least bit entertaining to drive. After a brief drive in Scion's four-door hatchback, which goes on sale in August, I can safely say the new xD has a much more engaging personality than the Yaris, and it should definitely be on your list if you're shopping for a small car.
One of the Yaris' biggest problem areas is its weak, 106-hp four-cylinder engine. The xD uses a larger 1.8-liter four-cylinder that makes 128 hp, giving the car sufficient power to accelerate briskly in suburban driving. A five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmission are offered, with the manual returning EPA-estimated gas mileage of 27/33 mpg and the automatic delivering 26/32 mpg (using the more severe EPA testing procedures that go into effect beginning with 2008 models).
The xD's suspension has a knack for damping bumps in the road while still providing a sporty driving experience. It steers with a light, sporty touch, but the steering wheel could really use a telescope adjustment to better accommodate different-sized drivers. The fabric seats were comfortable during my short drive, and over-shoulder views aren't compromised by the car's large D-pillars.
The standard 60/40-split rear seat slides back and forth and also reclines, but both of the levers that control these movements are located on the top of each backrest. This makes for awkward adjustment when sitting in the seats; levers mounted near the hips would be easier to use.
Overall, the xD is a nice package, with air conditioning, cruise control, side curtain airbags, a Pioneer CD stereo and remote keyless entry among its standard features. Pricing information has not yet been released, but it should start at significantly less than the $15,650 base price of the brand's new xB.
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But daddy, it's ugly. Doesn't Emperor Toy Ota know he's nekkid? And look- he's got a really tiny, misshapen pud.
Just a quick note: The xA was also Yaris based (albiet first generation). The xA was basically a JDM ist which was Vitz/Yaris based. So no shocker that the new xD is also Yaris based. It's also the reason that we don't get the 5 door Yaris here in the USA.
Yep, it isw the old Yaris from Europe, really expensive.
Maybe Toyota is further testing the waters to see if the American public will embrace JDM vehicles. It would be nice to see more fuel sipping B-Segment vehicles on our roads. I could see dmestic manfacturers bringing some cool vehicles to market as well. It's a win/win situation IMO.
They are competitive thanks to the artificially low yen. If not, this car would be really expensive.
Looks sweet - sportier and funkier offering that what else is out there. A small car is starting to sound slightly interesting...
Anyone know what kind (brand) of rims are on the car pictured? They don't look like one of the options from the dealer/factory.
Well, both the xD & Xb have gotten larger than the originals, less fuel efficient by 5-7 mpg and truely ugly. It appears that the Lexus designers didn't have very much to do... I also notice that the center console has migrated to the traditional location in front of the steering wheel. So much for inovation. It kind of reminds me of the original Jaguar E-type which was drop-dead gorgeous until various bits were added, weight went up, etc. My xA has 48k miles and is really larger than needed. What would have been really nice is if Toyota had tightened-up the handling, provided a slightly higher 5th gear and a convertable xA, this would have been a direct challange to the Mini.
John Foster .... couldn't agree more! I drive an "06" xA and think that it's great. Toyota went the wrong direction with these two!
remember the fuel economy dips are mainly from new EPA standards, especially for the xa/xD. The xB also gets a much larger engine.
John Foster and J. Lasseter, although a convertible xA and a more sporty xA would have been good ideas, they probably would cater to niche market, and Toyota really isn't that much into selling niche items (save of course for occasional vehicles like the FJ Cruiser)...
What is wrong with cars in the USA?
The first great car that we get (xA) and now its gone after only a few years.
All people talk about is the power of the engines?
What do i care if my car is slower than your corvette?, or even your chevy truck?
xA and xB are the best cars to come in American markets in a long time and it is because they are the future of real life cars.
What about saving on gas and moving from point (x)A to point (x)B comfortably and no hassle?
Toyota and Scion are becoming one more of the old fart american car companies that no one wants to know about anymore.
Yes Camry and Corolla are amazing cars, but times change and we need to catch up to european, asian, and south american standards in cars (better designs, smaller footprint, less gas, more bang for the buck.
Toyota is now building huge trucks to compete with what already is a long gone boring and stupid trend (yes we texans love huge trucks), but we have to look to the future also.
Shame on you Toyota, you really messed up with this new models, sorry.
The XA was DOA when it arrived to the USA, it was the same model sold years ago in Europe (not very popular there), so we got an old model as a new car.
My main concern is the handling, my friend tested it and he told me it was a toy car. He bought a Mazda 3 instead.
I own a xD. 3rd person to buy one in Fayetteville NC. I liked the Scion brand from the beginning and convinced my dad to get the xB back in 2005. The xD is a much needed improvement from the xA. The horsepower really makes the difference and the handling is great.
We borrowed an XD from the dealer for a day (overnight) then decided to buy it. Nothing else seemed to match the features you get for the price. I hated how we couldn't get the dealer to negotiate at all on the price though, something about "Pure Pricing" or such? Even though it's a good price, I still want to feel like I'm getting a better deal than the "regular" price.
The optional nav. system is absurdly expensive ~ WTF, $2,000? Why? That's more than a laptop with GPS and it's not even a full function computer!
I bought an xD and I have to say its a great little car for the price tag. Those of you who dislike the new cars and are sour that the xA is gone, get over it. The xA was a ugly car and I only bought a Scion because of the xD. It handles very well, decent hp, and great gas mileage.
I just bought a xD and I love it! It dose have the best standard features for other cars in it's price range and I love the way it handles. The best car I could have bought!!! Plus I agree it dose look so much better then the xA ever did.
I traded a 2007 Camry with 17,000 miles, and one year left on factory warranty, and it was paid for, for an xd. Sound crazy? well, walking ain't crowded. Camry is a sweet automobile, but gas mileage is noda. XD has most of the features as the camry, but gets half again the gas mileage. It won't be long before you can't give away a big car, and I made the transition before that happened. When gas goes to $7.00 a gallon, I'll still be riding. Where will you be?
i love this car