Easy to Underestimate this Stylish Deviant

Disclosure:
After dreaming of a new car for 2 years, wanting a new car for 1 year and needing a car for 6 weeks, I finally decided on a model and drove it off the lot only just yesterday. I researched many models, focusing on compact or subcompact hatchbacks including the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Toyota Matrix, and finally the Scion xD. Many Yaris fans are annoyed that the U.S. won't receive the Yaris 5-door. Instead, we get only the Yaris 3-door. If you want/need 5 doors, you have to look elsewhere or get the Scion xD. In my case, the strategy worked and honestly, I like the styling of the xD better than the Yaris. So after much anticipation, I purchased the Scion xD.

Overview:
The xD is the newest model for the Scion line, replacing the retired xA. The xD is also a 4-door hatch and is about the same dimensions as the xA. In photographs, the xD looks like an aggressive dog with angry eyes and a broad nose. In person, however, the car's true scale is revealed and the car looks more like a miniature version of an aggressive dog, like a mini pit bull. Something that looks too small to take seriously, but is easy to underestimate. It even has a tiny wagging tail for the rear wiper. Seeing it in action makes you smile and giggle to yourself. It's easy to see why Scion nicknamed this model the "Little Deviant".

Under the hood is a new 128 hp engine, replacing the 108 hp engine in the xA. The added ponies make this car easy to push harder. You don't need to baby it like it was underpowered. Also new to the car is standard cruise control, the number one thing Scion buyers thought was lacking in the previous model. The car comes with a hefty list of other standard features including: power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, 60/40 split rear seat which slides and reclines, 4 cupholders, side mirror turn signals, intermittent wiper w/ mist, rear wiper, chrome exhaust tip, halogen head lights, Pioneer stereo w/ mp3, Aux and iPod connections, ABS, standard airbags, side curtain airbags and tire pressure monitoring system. Two trip odos are present as well as a trip calculator that estimates MPG, miles left on the tank, and average speed.

The Walk-around:
As I mentioned, in person this little car is perceived very differently than in pictures alone. The size of the car softens the crisp lines of the side panels and rear end. The standard wheel size is 16" which looks appropriate. The standard wheel covers are stylish and available in 3 patterns. The head lights wrap around the side panel, giving the car it's squinty-eyed look. The rear tail lights are more square but also wrap around the body panel. The hatch opens with the push of a rubberized button hidden up above the license plate area. There is no keyed access to the hatch, instead it locks/unlocks with the doors using the button inside the door, or the keyless entry. The rear hatch opening is quite wide and square, allowing entry for bulkier items and boxes (measurement across is 39.5", space between wheel wells is 39.5"). The rear window also has a 2" wide lip coming from the roofline. It's not a true spoiler, but would help shield the window from rain. A true spoiler is available as an option. A stubby antennae is centered in the far back of the roof.

First Moments Inside:
I opened the hatch before the other doors and discovered it was quite easy. I was most happy to discover a handle inset into the paneling for us shorties to close the hatch easier. The hatch also self-closes: just pull the hatch down until about 6" away and the door will pull itself shut. No more slamming the hatch to make sure it closes. Inside the hatch, the cargo area is also bigger than it looks in the photos as it is quite deep on the bottom floor. As the seats are angled slightly backwards, the usable cargo space gets narrower as you go upwards. But I was able to fit my laundry basket back there with lots of room to spare. The rear seats are easy to slide forward or flip down with levers on either side of the seat backs. The 60/40 split allows you to move each half independently for more flexible storage and hauling.

Moving around to the backseat, the doors open easily with grip-style handles and shut with a satisfying yet soft clunk. The seats are a little firm, but are plenty deep enough (thigh support) for the average trip. The center seat is very narrow but still has it's own 3-point seat belt. The floor is flat in front of the seats, making foot room easy and ample. Latch anchors are present on the two outside seats.

In the driver's seat, finally, I was able to adjust my seat forward and back or recline. I did not find a seat height adjuster, but it was unnecessary as the seats are much more upright than bucket seats of the past. The bucket seat was contoured and was cushier than the rear bench seats. With the door shut, there was still a good 3" of space between the seat cushion and the door, making the car feel bigger than it really is. The steering wheel tilted, and I liked it best all the way down. The dash is pretty expansive and is covered with a soft, almost cloth-like material. Everything inside the car is black, except the roof, which is tan. The black dashboard is set off with the introduction of metallic black plastic which frames the stereo stack and accents each door panel.

The driver's door has buttons for door locks and windows. The doors also have padded fabric inserts, giving a very nice and finished feel to them. All four doors also have a molded pocket for water bottles. The driver gets a small compartment on the left hand side, while the passenger can choose between 2 gloveboxes. Yes, two.

On the Road:
Starting to drive now, the gearshifter in the auto is "pretend-it's-a-manual" style with a zig-zag kind of arrangement and gears 1, 2, and 3 in addition to standard "D". The handle for the gearshift is quite small and is covered in matte faux leather. It is contoured slightly and feels good in the hand. There is a gear indicator light next to the gas guage on the dash. The steering wheel is plastic but is easy to grip with finger contours on the underside. The wheel itself is also smaller than average, giving it a sportier feel and is actually easier to make turns with.

Driving now, the side mirrors are actually quite large which make the huge "C" pillars a non-issue for viability. The rear window is rather small though, and you must use the side mirrors to compensate. The accelerator pedal is very sensitive and the car responds to the foot with the slightest pressure. A gentle "growl" can be heard coming from under the hood. The brakes are also easy to use and when tested, can stop the car without problems. The ABS works well, and you don't feel an obvious pulsating. When doing a "U" turn, the wheels turn very easily and without the locking or clunking you might hear on a larger car.

The speedometer is easy to get used to, and the tachometer is present in the same guage. I found it very easy to locate my present speed and didn't get distracted by the other, smaller needle.

In Comparison:
In addition to the xD, I've also driven the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris. The xD is most similar to the Yaris in terms of driving position and how the car responds while driving. The features of the xD are more similar to the Fit, especially in the arrangement of the temperature and fan dials. Whereas the Fit has a very firm seat, the xD is cushier. I found the steering of the Fit to be looser, less intuitive than the xD's. In terms of cargo, the Yaris sedan's trunk is absolutely massive, and its seats fold down as well so it probably has more room for cargo than either the Fit or xD. But for hatches, the Fit has a little more room and its seats fold absolutely flat for a level load floor. The xD's seats only fold mostly flat. Visibility was better in the xD as the xD's rear seat headrests retract into the seat cushion, leaving the rear window clear for looking out of; the Fit's rear seat headrests are taller than the front headrests and do not retract. For maximum visibility in the Fit, one must remove the rests. Also, the front seats must slide forward for the rear seats to fold flat with headrests still attached, adding an extra step. The Fit is available with black or tan interior, whereas the xD is black only.

Mileage:
Auto: 26/32, Manual: 27/33 But in forums, mileage is sometimes as high as 35/40. Gas tank is 11 gals.

Conclusion:
In a segment where suddenly all automakers have to have a subcompact hatchback, the competition is really starting to heat up. The xD is more stylish than the previous xA (IMO), and has plenty of standard features to keep me busy. The room in the hatch may be less than others, but it is enough for my needs. The ease of driving, comfortable driving position and final pricing make it the best choice for me. When comparing models, for standard features, reliability, styling, pure pricing policy, and less demand, the xD should be simpler to purchase than competing models.

Price below includes taxes/fees.