The five-seat Scion xD is an entry-level car meant to compete with the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic. The Scion brand is aimed at young car buyers, and it offers a number of ways for owners to personalize their car.
For 2012, a new Pioneer CD stereo is standard along with Bluetooth connectivity. With the Bluetooth setup, you can stream audio to the stereo. HD Radio is also standard.
The xD takes cues, like a boxy grille and vertical bumper portals, from the Scion xB. The headlights look similar to those on Toyota’s RAV4. Exterior features include:
- Body-colored door trim
- Side mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Standard 16-inch wheels; optional Toyota Racing Development 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome exhaust tip
- Rear-window wiper
The five-passenger interior includes a 60/40-split folding backseat that can recline and adjust forward and back. A storage well sits below the cargo floor. Other places to stash things include a dual-compartment glove box and a tray below the steering wheel. On the dashboard, a single gauge integrates the tachometer and speedometer. On select MP3 players, the standard USB port enables track listings to be displayed on the stereo head unit. You can adjust the volume or skip ahead using buttons on the steering wheel. Interior features include:
- Standard USB/iPod port also charges the device
- Standard air conditioning
- Standard power windows, locks and mirrors
- Standard cruise control
- Standard first-aid kit
- Optional Pioneer Premium stereo with a 5.8-inch touch-screen, iTunes tagging and Pandora internet radio via a connected iPhone
- Optional navigation system
There’s just one engine available for the xD, but there is a choice of transmissions. Mechanical features include:
- 128-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder
- Standard five-speed manual transmission
- Optional four-speed automatic
- Optional TRD sport muffler, performance shocks, lowering springs and rear sway bar
Antilock brakes are standard, but they use a front disc/rear drum setup, not the stronger four-wheel-disc type. An electronic stability system with traction control is also standard. Safety features include:
- Six standard airbags, including side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows
- Standard active front head restraints
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