Vehicle: 2011 Scion Xd with automatic
Price as tested: CDN$18100
Performance: Has the Xd past its “prime”, or is it still a worthy subcompact to consider in a sea of great cars? We will have the answer at the end of this review.
Although Xd rides on the same architecture as Yaris, it comes in the form of a 1.8 liter instead of a 1.5 liter in its Toyota silibing. The Xd is basically a JDM Ist wraps with Toyota sub-brand’s hippy badge. This 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder comes with both dual VVT-i variable valve timing and electronic throttle. In terms of automotive technologies, this powertrain is true to Toyota’s tried-and-true philosophy. However, this powertrain has shown a sign of age when pushed. While 128 hp and 125 lb/ft of torque are certainly up to daily needs, it feels rather noisy and rough in both middle and upper range of the rpm. To add insult to the injury is the optional 4-speed automatic. With the 1st and 2nd gear ratios aren’t low enough for healthy acceleration off-the-line while 4th just isn’t tall enough, it makes the transmission hunting for gears all the time when ratios are as wide as a hole. When the whole industry has moved from 4-speed into 5 or 6-speed even CVT, Toyota’s stubborn on insisting the “proven” 4-speed automatic in their products are completely unforgivable. Add to the lack of refinement and poor NVH, you get the whole picture. If you are deeply in love with Xd, its highly recommended to go with the 5-speed manual instead of this 4-speed automatic. Not only the gear ratios are much better proportioned, its light and progressive clutch would certainly help for a better use of this engine.
Handling: Thanks to Xd’s Yaris architecture, Xd handles surprisingly well given the age of this chassis. While you still would find the usual Toyota dynamic characteristics, right from a detached chassis to numb steering. Its road manners are surprisingly sure-footness without the usual softly sprung personality one associates with Toyota products. In fact, its quite rightly damped to suit Scion’s hippy image. Although its hard to describe Xd as anything sporty, even the sportiest Scion tC can only be describe as sporting in a sea of Golf GTI and Mazdaspeed3. The Xd is confidence enough to push through twisties without any signs of hestitation. There are plenty of body rolls when pushed, even if the body motions are well-controlled. Terminal understeer is guaranteed, given the target audience’s age group. What is most impressed is the standard VSC, or what Toyota language of ESC. This system acts as a guardian angel to eliminate understeer and oversteer, whenever a driver has reared Xd’s ugly heads. Considering Xd starting at somewhere below 20 grand, having Electronic Stability Control standard certainly worth an applause.
Brakes: Along with the VSC, ABS has come standard across the board. That’s a huge bonus because an inexpensive car doesn’t have to sacifice when it comes to active safety. The front discs with rear drums have stopped the Xd accordingly. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feel and feedback are much better than expected. Although the ABS tends to intervene a bit too early for my liking, it remains a very good braking system as a whole.
Interior: Fold down Xd’s rear seats, it got more than enough luggage space given its physical dimensions. The low liftover and minimal side instrusions actually make it a rather boxy place for loading luggages.
Everything else is well-placed with stereo above HVAC. The cloth seats have nice foam, which provide decent back and thigh support. However, the use of plastic materials are something I am not fond with. While it isn’t particularly cheap, it doesn’t feel expensive at all. As for the instrumentation gauges, I don’t fond of its 3-pod layout. The lack of a temperature gauge is the sign of corner cutting.
Conclusion: Its not only the Xd has past its “prime”, its Scion has past it at the same time. Until the Smart For2 rival, iQ, comes along, Scion has to soldier on with those aged products. Its a pity because Xd has brought nothing new to the table.
Competitions:
Chevrolet Sonic
Ford Fiesta
Mazda2
Honda Fit
Hyundai Accent
Kia Soul
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Scion Xd
=====================================
Performance: 2/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 2.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 2/5
Overall rating: 2/5