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10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2011 Scion xD

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Overview

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2011 Scion xD Review

By KBB Editors

Talk with people accustomed to driving large vehicles and the one thing they claim to despise about small cars is, well, how small they feel; fear of being run over by larger traffic is probably a close second. To make its 2011 xD more appealing to anxious Americans, Scion has created a car that features an aggressive short, squat stance, but that also feels a bit taller than the average economy car. Thanks in part to its tall doors, large wheels and narrow side glass, the xD looks almost like a little SUV. First and foremost, however, the xD is a cool economy car, as popular with younger drivers who like to customize their rides as it is with urban commuters who require inexpensive, efficient and reliable transportation.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're in the market for a four-door hatchback that offers good fuel economy, has a sporty feel and comes loaded with just about everything you'd add anyway, check out the 2011 Scion xD. An accessories catalog as thick as War and Peace allows for nearly-infinite customization.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Those looking for maximum cargo and passenger space might be happier with the larger Scion xB. If you seek to own the most fuel-efficient subcompact on the block, you might be happier driving the Honda Fit.

What's Significant About This Car?

Changes to the 2011 Scion xD are mostly cosmetic. The xD receives a revised grille and rear spoiler, as well as the addition of titanium silver accents to the instrument panel cluster and speedometer. Enhancements to the xD's shocks and springs help to improve the car's ride and handling.

Driving the xD

Driving Impressions The 2011 Scion xD is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, engineered with Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology. Although it delivers only 128 horsepower and 125 pound-feet...

of torque, the car's light weight and efficient automatic transmission allow it to zip around in city traffic without complaint. Unfortunately, the xD is no different than most economy cars and will strain to tackle steep hills or overtake slower moving traffic. Those who want ample acceleration from stop lights and on freeway on- and off-ramps may be happier with the standard five-speed manual transmission than the optional four-speed automatic. With its short, squat stance the 2011 Scion xD is capable of handling curves and dips in the road with ease, although rough road surfaces will make the ride slightly less comfortable.

Favorite Features

Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) Screen
This groovy screen built into the audio faceplate on the dash allows you to display personal "skins" to further customize the interior of the car. Skins can be created and downloaded on a special site created by Pioneer just for Scion owners.

Flexible Rear-Seat Configurations
The seats in the rear of the car can move independently of one another and fold in a 60/40 fashion, allowing you to arrange them to suit any travel or cargo need.

2011 Scion xD Details

Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The mono-spec interior theme, clad mostly in black, seems a bit drab for such a hip car, but the design is efficient and functional. The xD's front seats don't offer much in the way of lower back or thigh support, but The 60/40 fold-flat rear seats are highly flexible and can be reclined, moved backward or forward and even folded into the floor to create more space. A circular radar screen-like speedometer with integrated tachometer is properly placed in front of the driver (as opposed to the center-mounted cluster in the xB), while large controls for the ventilation and audio are within easy reach. Storage space is plentiful aboard the xD, including twin upper and lower gloveboxes, door and console cup holders and even a coin box. Satellite radio, auxiliary MP3 jacks that will fit any player – including iPod – and a choice of Pioneer or Alpine audio systems round out the xD's entertainment choices.

Exterior

The 2011 Scion xD shares the same type of bold grille, multi-reflector halogen headlamps and integrated side-view mirror turn signals found on all Scion vehicles. But, unlike the boxy xB, the xD has a sleeker stance that relates it more to the sporty tC Coupe. The xD's hatchback design incorporates a long but narrow rear window completed by a rear defroster and wiper/washer. The xD offers a choice of three 16-inch wheel covers, as well as 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Release Series 3.0 features unique xPresso brown paint, body kit and carbon-fiber exterior trim pieces.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Like any Scion, the xD comes with a wide array of equipment. Noteworthy amenities include keyless entry, power locks/windows/mirrors with driver's side one-touch auto-down, a tire-pressure monitoring system, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel with audio controls and four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA). To get its occupants safely to their destination, the xD is equipped with six airbags and active headrests in the front row that push the occupants back into their seats in the event of an accident. A Pioneer 160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with iPod compatibility and six speakers provides the soundtrack for any road trip.

Optional Equipment

Since the 2011 Scion xD comes with numerous features as standard equipment, 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 alloy wheels. A few more everyday options exist, such as a cargo cover and mat, floor mats and an auto-dimming mirror. More significant options include an Alpine Premium audio system with navigation, subwoofer and XM Satellite Radio, Scion navigation radio with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, hook-ups for a backup camera and Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control.

Under the Hood

The xD's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing offers 128 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy with both the manual and automatic transmissions is similar to the Nissan Versa and slightly poorer than that of the Honda Fit, which has significantly less horsepower.

1.8-liter in-line 4
128 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
125 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/33

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2011 Scion xD Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 102 Ratings for the 2008 - 2012 Scion xD models.

Review this car

Value

4.7/5

Quality

4.4/5
Reliability

4.8/5

Performance

4.4/5
Comfort

4.0/5

Styling

4.6/5

Best commuter car made! Solid, safe, reliable!!!

By Yuki (OH) on Thursday, February 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 99,700

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5

Pros: "Most car and best car for the price."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car! It's like driving a "shrunken" SUV. The seats are NOT bucket - they are fabulous and the car is extremely responsive and drives like a race car. The only thing to watch for is the blind spots. We fixed that with mini-mirrors. :) AMAZING CAR!"

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I love my Scion!

By Sua (TX) on Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 27,000

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "space, look, gas economy, reliable."

Cons: "little to no insulation (sound come through easily"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I love the car from the start. I think the outside look is unique and youthful.It's like a mini SUV, you can practically park in any little spot. It is very economic on gas. When driving in town I probably fill it up with $35 (gas prices around $3.50) and it will last up to 3 weeks. The seats are a little hard, but not uncofortable hard. The music system is good. It is spacious, with capacity of acommodating up to 5 adults. Plenty of cupholders, and space in the trunk. The only downside for me is that it has very little insolation, so if you're on a rough road you can hear/feel every single bump on the street. On long roads sometimes the wind sound is unbearable. This is a great car to have in city, not so much to be in it during long trips."

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