Toyota Scion Review

Marketed towards Generation Y consumers, Toyota Motors’ Scion line has constantly proven itself to be an excellent choice for buyers who want a stylish, exceptional vehicle that perfectly balances value with performance. Add in the nifty upgrades and you got yourself a true bang for buck workhorse.

Toyota Scion’s base XA model comes out of the factory equipped with four cylinders, and a five speed manual transmission. The base model is fully loaded with power windows, power door locks, ABS brakes, rear wiper, power side view mirrors, air conditioner, and a Pioneer satellite-ready CD/radio with built-in auxiliary jack. The absence of a remote-door lock seems odd, but with all the bells and whistles preincluded, it is largely ignorable and not much of a deal breaker.

The Scion XA’s fuel efficiency is top-notch and despite the relatively small engine, has been estimated to reach 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Unfortunately, turning on the air conditioner significantly affects the performance. As the miles per gallon has been said to drop down to 24 when running the air all day. Making it up to steep hills further taxes the aforementioned small engine.

The ABS brakes also have their own quirks. As driving over a largely bumpy road tends to confuse the brakes while they are applied. Hitting several bumps in a row may stop them from working for as long as two seconds. The brake system takes some getting used to, especially for new drivers.

As for the car’s design, there are a lot of odd, but useful bits of changes. Firstly, the instrument panel is situated in the middle of the dash instead of in front of the driver. This is a nice design choice cleverly aimed towards young and height-challenged drivers. Young teenagers who just got their license and several years worth of growth spurt don’t need to look over or around the steering wheel to get a clearer view. Another nifty feature is the radio control on the steering wheel, which means you don’t have to take your eyes off the road if you want to fiddle with the stations. A feature largely appreciated by station hoppers and the people who ride with them.

The Scion XA’s body shape, like the rest from its model line, is simple and plain. Toyota intended this to give buyers more options for customizations and simply provided a near limitless range of accessories. The Scion’s body is a little bit tall and somewhat wide, which aids in balance and handling. The above average size of its body also means that the Scion has a large amount of cargo space, providing the driver with all the room he or she needs. Laying the seats flat significantly increases your interior space, sometimes allowing the driver to sleep comfortably inside the car.

All in all, the Toyota Scion line has proven itself a strong and stable contender, which exceeded its goal in appealing to Gen Y consumers. Cementing its reputation as a reasonably performing vehicle that serves more than its purpose at a respectable price.