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2009 Scion xD Safety Review

November 12, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

side curtain and seat-mounted front side airbags are standard
Edmunds

To get its occupants safely to their destination, the xD is equipped with six airbags and active headrests
Kelley Blue Book

Four stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact driver and rear passenger; 15 percent chance of rollover in single-vehicle crash
NHTSA

Not tested but 2008 received "acceptable," front offset; "good," side and rear crash protection
IIHS

For a relatively small vehicle, the 2009 Scion xD earns respectable scores in front impact crash tests and excellent scores in side impact tests.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing, the xD scored four of five stars for both driver and passenger side frontal impact, and the same rating for rollover resistance. The vehicle earned five stars for both side impact ratings, driver and rear passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2008 xD an "acceptable" rating for its crash offset test and a "good" for both side and rear impact. At the time of this writing, it has not tested the 2009 model, but since there have been no structural changes, the 2008 test is representative.

Unlike some cars costing thousands more, the 2009 Scion xD boasts a long list of standard safety features. Edmunds calls the xD's roster of standard safety features "impressive." This includes anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and front active head restraints, which Kelley Blue Book notes "push the occupants back into their seats in the event of an accident." Also standard is a tire pressure monitoring system. Not standard (but available together as an option) are traction control and an electronic stability system, according to Cars.com, who also point out the brakes "use a disc/drum setup, not the stronger four-wheel-disc type." Visibility is "bad to the rear corners due to thick roof pillars but is OK otherwise," declares ConsumerGuide.

Conclusion

The 2009 Scion xD promises respectable protection, even if it is one of the smallest vehicles.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:side curtain and seat-mounted front side airbags are standardEdmundsTo get its occupants safely to their destination, the xD is equipped with six airbags and active headrestsKelley Blue BookFour stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact driver and rear passenger; 15 percent chance of rollover in single-vehicle crashNHTSANot tested but 2008 received "acceptable," front offset; "good," side and rear crash protectionIIHS For a relatively small vehicle, the 2009 Scion xD earns respectable scores in front impact crash tests and excellent scores in side impact tests. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing, the xD scored four of five stars for both driver and passenger side frontal impact, and the same rating for rollover resistance. The vehicle earned five stars for both side impact ratings, driver and rear passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2008 xD an "acceptable" rating for its crash offset test and a "good" for both side and rear impact. At the time of this writing, it has not tested the 2009 model, but since there have been no structural changes, the 2008 test is representative. Unlike some cars costing thousands more, the 2009 Scion xD boasts a long list of standard safety features. Edmunds calls the xD's roster of standard safety features "impressive." This includes anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and front active head restraints, which Kelley Blue Book notes "push the occupants back into their seats in the event of an accident." Also standard is a tire pressure monitoring system. Not standard (but available together as an option) are traction control and an electronic stability system, according to Cars.com, who also point out the brakes "use a disc/drum setup, not the stronger four-wheel-disc type." Visibility is "bad to the rear corners due to thick roof pillars but is OK otherwise," declares ConsumerGuide. ConclusionThe 2009 Scion xD promises respectable protection, even if it is one of the smallest vehicles. 2009 SCION XD STYLING | [7 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "a Special Edition package, which includes unique trim and a lowered suspension" Edmunds: "a unique mix of hatchback and Mack truck" Car and Driver: "Snappy sheetmetal" MyRide.com: "urban America meets Tokyo design" Smaller and ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Compared to the 2009 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, nor does it have Toyota’s reputation for reliability. 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.

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See the Scion xD in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

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