Quirky may be the best description for the subcompact xD, a diminutive five-door hatch hauler from Toyota Motor Company's youth oriented and inspired Scion Division.
Scions are built including ample safety features, decent fuel economy and oodles of standard nuances all for a low starting price when compared to the growing number of competent subcompacts. The 2010 edition marks the third model year for front-drive xD. No all-wheel variant is offered and changes are minor from 2009. Scion rates as a relatively new brand, first appearing in the U.S. in 2003.
During the seven short years of Scion's existence, 800,000 units have been sold. Most impressive is that a whopping 71 percent of those customers were new to the Toyota family of shoppers, conquest sales from other manufacturers. For those daring to be different while on a budget, Scion makes great sense.
With a high level of standard content and one basic trim level, factory options are minimal. That's by choice. Scion shoppers have the opportunity to create and build their own personal creation thanks to the emergence of a competent roster of dealer-available add-ons (conveniently located at the on-site accessories shop). More than 40 items including illuminated door sills and interior lighting kits grace the docket. Aftermarket options also provide unique decorating opportunities.
The bevy of standard safety features includes four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, vehicle stability control (now standard, no longer an option), driver and front passenger seat mounted air bags, side curtain air bags and active head restraints. In addition air conditioning, cruise control, rear window defroster and sweet sounding six-speaker stereo come with the price of admission. While it shares a platform with the lower-cost Toyota Yaris subcompact, xD employs more standard content for less transaction headaches.
The standard 160-watt Pioneer sound system includes a compact disc player and USB port for plugging in portable players. One of xD's few factory options is an Alpine sound system with HD radio broadcasting technology. A second optional system adds an in-dash navigation screen.
Scion offers three 2010 subcompact products: the tC coupe, xB five-door hatchback and the more stylish xD five-door hatchback. In 2011 a two-seat iQ micro car gets added to the mix to battle the likes of the Smart Fortwo crowd.
Our xD with automatic transmission listed for $15,600. Minor extras such as carpeted floor mats and cargo nets along with a $670 destination charge brought the bottom line to an affordable, value laden $17,114. Choosing manual transmission slips the starting price below $15,000 at $14,900. A no-haggle pricing structure means the listed window sticker figure is non-negotiable; however, if trading in a car or truck, that subjective value is up for grabs.
The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with dual variably valve timing delivers 128 horses. In the subcompact class, it's acceptable, but labors when tackling steep inclines. Drivers have a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission. Expect 27 miles per gallon city and 33 mpg highway with automatic or manual, slightly below average for the subcompact class. Regular unleaded fuel fills the tiny 11.1-gallon tank.
Seven exterior colors are available and any interior color is available as long as it's black and fabric. No leather seating surfaces for this urban-type vehicle.
Gauges and buttons have logical homes. All four doors feature beverage holders. Need more? Two additional side-by-side varieties are fore of the floor-mounted transmission shifter while an additional one retracts out from the far right end of the dash for the convenience of the person riding shotgun. The deep-set, three-sectioned instrument panel resembles two side grab handles surrounding a triangular window (home of the circular, analog speedometer). Round air vents flank the black dash with rectangular shapes in the center. A rectangular cruise control appendage jets out at five-o'clock from the smallish steering wheel while secondary volume and audio pre-set buttons are at three-o'clock. Front and rear wipers activate from a right-side steering column stalk. Three, large ventilation controls are below a center column rectangular divider, home to a digital clock and hazard button.
The fuel release lever is on the floor, left of the driver's seat. A dual glove box sports an independent top and bottom, although both sections are diminutive. At the other end of the dash left of the driver, a storage pocket retracts out for cell phone and other goodie storage.
Rear seatbacks, with a 60/40 split, fold flat onto seats allowing for additional storage extending into the cargo region. With seats up, leg room is surprisingly plentiful, but headroom is not as generous as in row one. Two adult folks ride in optimal comfort in back; three would be a crowd. Consider this a four-seater. One additional cup holder is found near the floor in between the front bucket seat buttons.
As with its better known xB stable mate, the smaller xD continues with the boxy exterior theme, but adds slightly smoother edges. The xD is almost 13 inches shorter than xB and three inches lower. The four side doors sport body-colored, strap-like handles. The very short hood contrasts with large, cat's-eye-shaped headlight housing. Small side windows also contrast with the large-portioned side sheet metal. Smallish, 16-inch wheels are standard. Drivers enjoy good road visibility thanks to the large hatch window.
Sideview mirrors include blinkers, a great touch sometimes not found on larger, more opulent vehicles. At highway speeds above 65 miles per hour, wind noise makes itself known. Think of this as more of an urban jungle buggy, not a cross-country trekker. Brakes have a rather long throw before for a more graceful stopping pattern.
The hatch door is hinged at the top while opening up from the bottom, with enough head clearance for those 6'1" and shorter; a nice accomplishment for a subcompact.
All Scions are currently built in Japan and come with a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty covering the vehicle's engine, drivetrain, transmission, airbags and seatbelts. In addition, a complimentary maintenance service is available at the first 5,000 and 10,000 mile intervals; just be sure to pull into an authorized Scion/Toyota dealer for the complimentary portion.
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