The Scion xD debuted in the middle of 2007 to replace the xA, one of the first two models to be sold by Scion back in the early 2000s. The xA felt like a failure right from the beginning because it felt and looked a lot like a conventional economy car. It did not offer the youthful appeal that Scion would later be famous for. The xD, in comparison, is a much better car. It comes with a lot of advantages that are commonly seen in other Scion cars, including lots of dealer options and a long feature list. However, it has lately met with a lot of great competition from other new subcompacts. The 2013 Scion xD is still a good choice for a compact hatchback for the youth, but a lot of its competitors can offer better packages.
New For 2013
The xD is offering its own Release Series, the Blizzard Pearl Release Series 4.0.
Pearl white inside and out, it also gets unique wheels and special trim. Production is limited to 800. All xDs add side air bags in the front seat cushions. Gauge faces switch from black to white. An available two-tone paint scheme combines a blue streak metallic body with a black sand metallic roof.
Exterior
The 2013 Scion xD is very similar in its exterior design to the xB. Since Scion is Toyota’s baby, it only makes sense to see some similarities between the outside of the xD and other Toyota cars. For example, the headlights of the car look similar to those present in the RAV4. A two-tone paint is available, and so is body-colored door trim. The side mirrors get integrated turn signals, and the exhaust has a chrome tip. The rear window has a wiper and the car is fitted with 16-inch wheel as standard with three cover choices. 18-inch wheels from Toyota Racing Development are available as an optional feature.
Interior & Cargo
The cabin of the 2013 Scion xD has a very minimalist look with dark grey shades and matte-finish metal in lots of places. The controls for the entertainment system and climate control are laid out nicely on the center stack, flowing downwards towards a small bin for holding iPods and phones and connecting them to the nearby USB/auxiliary port. A Pioneer audio system is optional, which comes with a touchscreen interface and six speakers. The instrument cluster of the 2013 Scion xD has three divisions with a strange mix of speedometer and tachometer in the same pod. It is not much of a problem, but it can be distracting at times.
The front seats are adequately comfortable, but legroom is lacking so taller drivers may not find the car too comfortable. The steering column lacks a telescoping function, and the driver’s seat itself is a little too upright for comfort, which makes the car less comfortable to drive. On a positive note, headroom is aplenty for the front and rear. The rear passengers also get a sliding seat bottom and reclining seatback for optimum comfort. However, cargo room is much smaller than its competitors at 35.7 cubic feet. In comparison, the Honda Fit offers 57 cubic feet of space. Considering that cargo space is one of the biggest allures of a hatchback, this can be a problem for many potential customers. Standard features in the 2013 Scion xD include air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering wheel with mounted audio controls, full power accessories, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, and a subwoofer RCA outlet.
Safety
The 2013 Scion xD is fitted with anti-lock brakes with brake assist, full length side curtain airbags, front active head restraints, front seat side airbags, and stability control as standard. Its braking power is just about average with a stopping distance of 123 feet from 60 miles per hour. The IIHS gave the car its second-highest score of ""Acceptable"" in front offset crash safety and its highest rating of ""Good"" in side impact safety.
Driving Experience
A 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 128 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque to the 2013 Scion xD. It is combined with a five-speed, manual transmission as standard, but a four-speed automatic is available as an option. The manual transmission xD can go from standstill to 60 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds, which is faster than a lot of its competitors. However, fuel economy is a more important factor in choosing hatchbacks and the 2013 Scion xD offers strictly average numbers of 27/33 mpg city/highway.
In other words, the 2013 Scion xD may not be a good choice for a long commuter, but it does offer lots of acceleration and liveliness for a hatchback. The electric power steering is quite precise, but it feels a little numb at low speeds. It meets the requirements when it comes to accurate cornering and the car itself delivers a nice and comfortable ride around the city. However, it tends to roll and lose some of its composure when turned aggressively and that results in a fairly boring drive. The drivability of the car does improve a little with the optional performance shocks, lower springs, rear way bar, and TRD sport muffler, but the extra price may not be worth it for everyone. Customers looking for an exciting experience from their hatchback should probably look for other options, but the 2013 Scion xD is a decent choice otherwise.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Scion xD
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Honda Fit
- Kia Soul
- Nissan Cube