What is it?
2008 Scion xD
What's special about it?
Unveiled today in Chicago, the 2008 Scion xD is the brand's new entry-level offering. "The xD is a clever new take on the five-door urban subcompact, with style and flair to match its efficiency and utility," notes Mark Templin, Scion vice president.
In other words, the snout-nosed xD looks cooler than the baby-faced xA hatchback it replaces.
The xD is also a bit larger and more powerful. Overall length is up by only a half inch, but the new hatchback's wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer. It's also 1.2 inches wider from shoulder to shoulder, which suggests an increase in track as well.
For power, the Scion xD gets the Toyota Corolla's 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder, good for 128 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission will be available to send it all to the front wheels.
Compared to the pokey xA, which had a 103-hp 1.5-liter, the xD should be downright speedy for a subcompact.
Suspension bits are still relatively mundane, with struts in front and a torsion beam in back. Wheel size is up to 16 inches and they're wrapped in slightly wider 195/60 rubber. Braking hardware consists of ventilated front discs and rear drums.
Inside, the gauge pack has been relocated from the center of the dash to the proper location — right in front of the driver. There's also a larger selection of storage slots, which is a good thing because the six-speaker Pioneer audio system now has both a generic MP3 player input jack and a dedicated iPod port. In back, the rear seats offer 6 inches of fore-and-aft adjustment, 10 degrees of recline and true fold-flat capability.
As this is a Scion, the standard equipment list is impressive. In addition to the Pioneer setup, every xD comes with ABS, front-seat side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags, air-conditioning and full power accessories. Curiously, cruise control is still MIA. The only factory option is stability control. Dealer accessories will number in the dozens.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Like the xA hatchback before it, the 2008 Scion xD will be the practical, normal-looking sidekick to the too-cool-for-us xB.
— Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
2008 Scion xD
What's special about it?
Unveiled today in Chicago, the 2008 Scion xD is the brand's new entry-level offering. "The xD is a clever new take on the five-door urban subcompact, with style and flair to match its efficiency and utility," notes Mark Templin, Scion vice president.
In other words, the snout-nosed xD looks cooler than the baby-faced xA hatchback it replaces.
The xD is also a bit larger and more powerful. Overall length is up by only a half inch, but the new hatchback's wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer. It's also 1.2 inches wider from shoulder to shoulder, which suggests an increase in track as well.
For power, the Scion xD gets the Toyota Corolla's 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder, good for 128 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission will be available to send it all to the front wheels.
Compared to the pokey xA, which had a 103-hp 1.5-liter, the xD should be downright speedy for a subcompact.
Suspension bits are still relatively mundane, with struts in front and a torsion beam in back. Wheel size is up to 16 inches and they're wrapped in slightly wider 195/60 rubber. Braking hardware consists of ventilated front discs and rear drums.
Inside, the gauge pack has been relocated from the center of the dash to the proper location — right in front of the driver. There's also a larger selection of storage slots, which is a good thing because the six-speaker Pioneer audio system now has both a generic MP3 player input jack and a dedicated iPod port. In back, the rear seats offer 6 inches of fore-and-aft adjustment, 10 degrees of recline and true fold-flat capability.
As this is a Scion, the standard equipment list is impressive. In addition to the Pioneer setup, every xD comes with ABS, front-seat side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags, air-conditioning and full power accessories. Curiously, cruise control is still MIA. The only factory option is stability control. Dealer accessories will number in the dozens.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Like the xA hatchback before it, the 2008 Scion xD will be the practical, normal-looking sidekick to the too-cool-for-us xB.
— Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
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