When Scion was first introduced in 2003, the company initially launched two vehicles - the xA and the xB. Although, both vehicles were similar in size, they featured designs that were drastically different. The xB was a boxy, edgy and hip wagon, while the xA was a rather conservatively designed subcompact hatchback. The varying looks of Scion’s fraternal twins not only served to help tell the two cars apart, but also to establish the fledgling brand’s identity.
For 2008, as the xB grew and began using the larger, Corolla-based platform, the xD continued using a platform similar to the Toyota Yaris but now featured a much better overall design both inside and out. Scion designed the all-new xD so that it could stand out not only from the similarly sized Yaris, but also its main competition, which include the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit. As with the other Scion models, the 2008 xD is available with ample cosmetic and performance dealer-installed upgrades.
While the xA had a prominent wedge-shaped design, the 2008 Scion xD uses a blunt, boxier design to help create a more aggressive look and stance. Helping to eliminate the wedge shape of the xA, the xD features a tall, squared-off front fascia, a high beltline and almost-vertical rear hatch. The slim, slanted headlights add an angry look to the front of the xD, while the angled crease along the side of the body provides a sporty look and helps to prevent a slab-sided, something the xB could have definitely used.
Unlike the inside of the xB we reviewed in January, the xD features a more conventional interior especially when it comes to the instrument cluster. While its predecessor and the xB both feature a gauge cluster mounted centrally atop the instrument panel, the xD now uses a single speedometer/tachometer combination gauge mounted behind the steering wheel. The instrument panel features hard, textured plastic and is contrasted by the metallic paint and smooth plastic surround of the slim center stack, which houses the stereo and HVAC controls.
From the driver’s seat, the lack of a center armrest can get a little annoying on long trips, but the front seats are more than comfortable and offer surprising side bolstering. Rear occupants are made comfortable by the 60/40 split bench being able to recline back up to 3.5 inches and adjust fore and aft as many as six inches. With the rear seats up, the xD offers 10.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and if more space is needed, the rear seats fold down almost flat to accommodate a total 35.7 cubic feet.
In addition to the ample cargo capacity, the xD offers numerous ingenious storage compartments and cubby holes. For the driver, a decent-sized cubbyhole is located on the left side of the lower knee bolster, while the extra space opened up by moving the instrument gauges allowed for enough space to add another storage compartment and pop-out cup holder along the upper edge of the instrument panel above the standard glove box. Joining the instrument panel cup holder, each door panel incorporates its own cup holder with two additional beverage holders in the lower portion of the center stack. Since the xD doesn’t have a true center console like the xB, the standard iPod and auxiliary jack connectors are now mounted under the HVAC controls along with a power outlet.
When it comes to performance, the xD isn’t going to break any quarter-mile drag race records, but it’s surprisingly peppy. The 2,265-pound xD is understandably slower than the larger and more powerful xB and tC putting up a 10.5 second 0-60 mph run, but the car is far from underpowered. Whether taking off from a dead start or merging into interstate traffic, the xD’s 128-horsepower 1.8-liter inline four cylinder is ready for the challenge. The tangible advantage to the xD’s smaller stature is its impressive fuel economy with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Our test car came with only a few additional options, but it felt very well equipped. Vehicle stability control, a premium audio system and carpet and cargo mats were the only option boxes that were checked, which raised the base MSRP from $15,350 to $17,291.