The Scion xD was a five-door subcompact hatchback sold in the United States and Canada from the 2008 model year, replacing the xA. It was the second-generation Toyota Ist in Japan and the Toyota Urban Cruiser in Europe and Latin America, and it was shown to the public together with the second-generation xB at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2007.
Scion xD at a glance
| Maker | Scion (Toyota) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008–2014 model years |
| Also sold as | Toyota Ist (Japan), Toyota Urban Cruiser (Europe) |
| Body | five-door subcompact hatchback |
| Engine | 2ZR-FE 1.8 L four-cylinder, dual VVT-i |
| Power | 128 bhp (95 kW) |
| Torque | 125 lb·ft (169 N·m) |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Drive | front-wheel drive |
| EPA economy | 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway |
| 0–60 mph | 8.3 seconds |
| Top speed | limited to 120 mph (193 km/h) |
Based on one source.
History of the Scion xD
Launch and equipment
The xD went on sale in the United States in mid-2007 and replaced the xA in Scion’s line-up. Standard equipment included power locks, mirrors and windows, 16-inch wheels, anti-lock brakes, a tyre pressure monitoring system, stability control with traction control, dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags. For 2008 there was a choice of three Pioneer head units, all with six speakers and iPod connectivity; for 2010 two Alpine units replaced them, adding a USB port and an AUX jack on the driver’s side, and the top unit had a touchscreen and HD radio. The 2011 model year brought a minor change to the grille and the start of sales in Canada, where the Scion brand was launched.
The end of the line
2014 was the last model year for the xD, although leftover new cars continued to be sold in the United States until 2016. In the US, sales fell from 32,603 in 2006 to 9,573 in 2011. The car also earned a reputation for dependability: Consumer Reports named the xD the most reliable new automobile of 2009 in the United States, with 83 percent fewer problems than average.
Release Series
As with other Scion models, the xD was offered in limited Release Series editions, each in one colour with extra equipment and short production runs: the RS 1.0 in Hot Lava Orange with 2,000 units, the RS 2.0 in Electric Wasabi with 1,600, the RS 3.0 in xPRESSO Brown with 1,500 and the RS 4.0 in Blizzard Pearl with 800.
Design and features
- Bigger engine: the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE with dual VVT-i replaced the xA’s 1.5-litre unit.
- Driver-focused dash: unlike the xA and the Yaris, the xD put its instruments behind the steering wheel, with the speedometer and tachometer on one counter-rotating dial.
- Safety: five stars in side-impact tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests; stability control became standard from 2010.
- Reliability: named the most reliable new car of 2009 by Consumer Reports.
Scion xD versions
- xD (2008–2010): the original car with Pioneer audio.
- xD (2011–2014): revised grille, Alpine audio and Canadian sales.
- xD RS 1.0: Hot Lava Orange, 2,000 units.
- xD RS 2.0: Electric Wasabi, 1,600 units.
- xD RS 3.0: xPRESSO Brown, 1,500 units.
- xD RS 4.0: Blizzard Pearl, 800 units.
The xD replaced the Scion xA and was shown alongside the second-generation Scion xB. More models are in the Scion collection.
Sources
- Scion xD, English Wikipedia: equipment, engines, Release Series, reliability, safety
