AZCentral.com's view

Scion, the youth-oriented brand invented by Toyota, shuffled the deck for 2008, with the baby-box xB growing into a more substantial vehicle and the slow-selling xA hatchback going away altogether.

Only the sharp-looking tC sport coupe stayed the same after scoring big among young drivers.

In the place of xA is an all-new hatchback, xD (naturally), with edgier styling that looks almost European and a more-substantial presence.

Small four-door hatchbacks have been gaining popularity as automakers learn to make them look cool and drivers learn to appreciate their practicality. Without the stigma of full-on station wagons or the fuel-mileage drawbacks of compact SUVs, the little hatchbacks are appealingly thrifty and environmentally friendlier.

The xD should be considered a subcompact, competing against the likes of Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota’s own Yaris, although Scion has tried to add a hip spin for its young audience. That doesn’t mean older drivers should stay away.

But once past the cool body style, I found xD to be little more than a basic econobox. I was disappointed by its tight and chintzy interior, vague drivability and harsh ride. The dashboard was surprisingly ugly.

Too bad, because with its Toyota connection, xD should be a durable vehicle that will serve its owners well. A well-equipped version is relatively cheap, and the cargo area is roomy, especially with the rear seat folded.

But xD needs a good dose of refinement to be competitive with this growing segment.

The Scion brand, after starting off with a bang five years ago, has steadily faded. Toyota is now talking about expanding the lineup, with two or three more models, and hopefully that will include a bit more attention to detail.

Scion xD

Vehicle type: Five-passenger four-door hatchback, front-wheel drive.

Engine: 1.8-liter inline-4, 128 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 125 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Transmission: Five-speed manual.

Wheelbase: 96.9 inches.

Overall length: 154.7 inches.

Curb weight: 2,625 pounds.

EPA rating: 27 city, 33 highway. HIGHS: Stylish body, cargo space, value pricing.

LOWS: Chintzy interior, vague steering, ugly dashboard.

PERFORMANCE: The 1.8-liter engine feels strong enough, but it turns harsh under acceleration and roars on the freeway.

The five-speed manual worked nicely, though the shifter was somewhat rubbery.

Fuel mileage was excellent.

DRIVABILITY: The xD gets the job done, but drivability is just adequate. The steering is numb, and the handling is modest. For a car aimed at young drivers, xD should be more engaging and fun to drive. Road irregularities throw it off course, and cross winds blow it around.

A decent level of safety gear comes standard, including side-curtain airbags, antilock brakes with force distribution and panic-stop assist, and seatbelts with force limiters and pre-tensioners. Electronic Stability Control is optional.

STYLING: A sharp and trendy look that reflects European style. The blunt nose and boxy rear window may not be to everyone’s taste, but I liked them.

INTERIOR: Too much cheap-feeling plastic and matte finish make the cabin feel dull. The plastic glove-box door was loose, and the driver door rattled. The climate-control dials were set in a weird-looking sculpted housing. The gauges are dull-looking, although the combination speedometer/tachometer in one circular gauge functions well. Tall drivers and passenger will find xD lacking in legroom, though not headroom.

BOTTOM LINE: A decent base price for a reliable Toyota product, but it would be better if xD performed as well as it looks.

Base price: $14,500.

Price as tested: $16,444.

OPTIONS

Stability control, $650.

Security system, $450.

Floor and cargo-area mats, $155.

Shipping, $620.