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2008 Scion xD Features Review

August 19, 2008

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Infuriating stereo
Car and Driver

All feature iPod hookup
Road & Track

more standard equipment than Honda Fit or Nissan Versa
Kelley Blue Book

rear seat slides fore and aft
ConsumerGuide

Pioneer head unit…looks kind of old school
New York Times

The wide array of features in the highly configurable 2008 Scion xD run the range from funky to frippery.

It seems Japanese “stripper” base models (remember the days of optional passenger side-view mirrors?) have gone the way of the dodo. Even in its sub-$15,000 base format, Road & Track mentions that the xD is equipped with cruise control; power windows, locks, and mirrors; and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Kelley Blue Book finds it “an affordable, well-built vehicle with more standard equipment than a Honda Fit or Nissan Versa.”

There are three levels of audio, all with iPod hookup as well as an auxiliary jack. The New York Times finds the base Pioneer head unit, a 160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with six-speakers, a bit frumpy in its design, although they say it has “plenty of expandability” with hookups for amps and bass speakers and “sounds fine for a car at this price.” Moving up to the mid-level stereo “and its multifunction knob” infuriated all the Car and Driver editors with the exception of their “youngest part-timers, who were keen on the programmable OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display.” The premium radio option can be combined with an optional subwoofer, DVD navigation system, and Sirius Satellite Radio (XM or Sirius) if so desired. Many feel that upgrading sound systems “does not improve the speakers, which lack clarity” (Car and Driver).

“Available options consist mostly of items that are geared toward customizing the car, like illuminated door sill enhancements, sport pedals, a carbon fiber engine cover and 18-inch wheels and alloy wheel covers,” notes Kelley Blue Book. An xD can be optioned from mild to wild, with the mid-level stereo’s optional “skins” that can be “created and downloaded on a special site created by Pioneer just for Scion owners,” says Kelley Blue Book. “With available accessories from TRD,” notes Road & Track, “you can turn [it] into a very hot little 5-door.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Scion xD proves a very affordable blank slate for your choice of features.

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Infuriating stereoCar and DriverAll feature iPod hookupRoad & Trackmore standard equipment than Honda Fit or Nissan VersaKelley Blue Bookrear seat slides fore and aftConsumerGuidePioneer head unit…looks kind of old schoolNew York Times The wide array of features in the highly configurable 2008 Scion xD run the range from funky to frippery. It seems Japanese “stripper” base models (remember the days of optional passenger side-view mirrors?) have gone the way of the dodo. Even in its sub-$15,000 base format, Road & Track mentions that the xD is equipped with cruise control; power windows, locks, and mirrors; and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Kelley Blue Book finds it “an affordable, well-built vehicle with more standard equipment than a Honda Fit or Nissan Versa.” There are three levels of audio, all with iPod hookup as well as an auxiliary jack. The New York Times finds the base Pioneer head unit, a 160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with six-speakers, a bit frumpy in its design, although they say it has “plenty of expandability” with hookups for amps and bass speakers and “sounds fine for a car at this price.” Moving up to the mid-level stereo “and its multifunction knob” infuriated all the Car and Driver editors with the exception of their “youngest part-timers, who were keen on the programmable OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display.” The premium radio option can be combined with an optional subwoofer, DVD navigation system, and Sirius Satellite Radio (XM or Sirius) if so desired. Many feel that upgrading sound systems “does not improve the speakers, which lack clarity” (Car and Driver). “Available options consist mostly of items that are geared toward customizing the car, like illuminated door sill enhancements, sport pedals, a carbon fiber engine cover and 18-inch wheels and alloy wheel covers,” notes Kelley Blue Book. An xD can be optioned from mild to wild, with the mid-level stereo’s optional “skins” that can be “created and downloaded on a special site created by Pioneer just for Scion owners,” says Kelley Blue Book. “With available accessories from TRD,” notes Road & Track, “you can turn [it] into a very hot little 5-door.” ConclusionThe 2008 Scion xD proves a very affordable blank slate for your choice of features.  2008 SCION XD STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: “aggressive short, squat stance” Car and Driver: “a polarizing design” Automobile: “more traditional driver centered dash” Kelley Blue Book: “dash is simple and easy to navigate” A unique exterior and a functional interior mesh ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Compared to the 2008 Scion xD, the Aveo5 has a more spacious, comfortable interior, but it lags in nearly all other areas, with a shorter features list, sluggish performance, and questionable safety. The Kia Rio5 is a better alternative, with a sportier driving feel and spacious interior, but it doesn’t match the xD either in terms of features for the money. The Nissan Versa feels like a bigger car, with the poise and a settled ride that’s a step above, but it doesn’t feel especially sporty from behind the wheel. Finally, the Honda Fit is probably the most practical choice of this group, while still feeling quite sporty to drive. Its plentiful headroom and a backseat large enough for adults, along with the Magic Seat design that expands to an impressive amount of cargo space, are unbeatable.

Next Steps:

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See the Scion xD in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

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