2011 SCION xD Launched in 2003 in the United States, the automotive brand Scion is a division of Toyota. In offering vehicles on which its logo does not appear, Toyota’s goal is to attract younger buyers for whom the Toyota name is synonymous of old. Scion became available in Canada last fall. The xD is a four-door subcompact hatchback that borrows several mechanical components from the Yaris and Corolla. Scion buyers have an impressive array of accessories from which to choose to personalize their vehicle. Interior and cargo area The front seats are easy to access and comfortable—though without lumbar adjustment— but they are too high for tall people and cannot be adjusted for height. The driving position is good but would be better if the telescoping steering column could tilt as well. Head and leg room are quite generous. Access to the rear is relatively easy. The bench seat is comfortable for two adults. Head room is a bit tight for tall individuals, but leg room is good, especially with the flat floor. Both sections of the 60/40-split seat slide individually fore and aft, and both sides of the seatback recline to several different angles. The seatback folds flat to the floor after removing the head restraints. The gap between the folded seatback and the floor of the trunk varies in width, depending on the position of the seat. Commensurate with the dimensions of the vehicle, cargo space is rather limited. There’s 61 cm behind the rear seat, and 134 cm behind the front seats, pushed completely back, and with the rear seatback folded and the head restraints removed. The front seats don’t slide back as far with the rear head restraints in place, but the cargo area gains 3 cm in length. Width is 99.5 cm, and height, 70 cm. The rear hatch opens wide. Convenience and safety features Cabin finish is very good, but the many hard plastic surfaces look cheap. The level of road noise and of engine noise in average to heavy acceleration comes as no surprise in this type of vehicle. Cabin storage includes two glove compartments and a few pockets here and there. Photo: Scion The standard equipment list features air conditioning, cruise control, outside temperature, power windows, remote entry, on-board computer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, 16-inch wheels, front-passenger knee airbags, etc., all of which make the xD a luxury subcompact with a price to match. Gauges and controls are well laid out, but several controls, and the glove compartment, are not lighted at night. The rather simplistic onboard computer has a one-at-a-time information display. The climate control system is efficient. Unlike what’s offered by several Toyota products, all the car lights do not turn off automatically when you turn off the engine or open the driver’s door. Safety equipment includes eight airbags (dual front, front knee, side, and side curtain), an antilock braking system, stability control, five head restraints (active in front), and good headlights. Visibility is good in all directions except on a three-quarter-rear angle. The blind zone created on a right angle by the inside mirror would be less pronounced if the seat were not so high. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the xD an Acceptable rating, its second highest, for driver protection in a frontal offset collision. It received a Good rating, the highest, for roof strength, and for all-occupant protection in a side or rear crash. Engine and transmission The 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine develops 128 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, for adequate—and, in some circumstances, even lively—acceleration and pickup. The engine gets noisy in average-to-heavy acceleration. The four-speed automatic transmission always functions very smoothly. Its gears are well spaced, but fifth and sixth gears would be appreciated. It does not allow the vehicle to be driven off in second gear. On the road The suspension is on the firm side but in general, it delivers a smooth ride. However, some uneven surfaces set off a very firm reaction—sometimes almost a harsh bounce. Thanks to the firmness of the suspension, the xD holds the road very well for a subcompact, at least on relatively smooth pavement. It drives with a sturdy feel. The electrically assisted steering is very well weighted, stable, precise and fairly quick. Unfortunately, it transmits little in the way of road sensation. The front disc, rear drum brakes are efficient in routine driving, but emergency stops are a tad long, and there’s a bit of fade after a few consecutive panic stops. Inspection An inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the xD rests on a relatively sturdy chassis. Rustproofing is not uniformly applied, but several joints are sealed. Grime can easily enter the engine compartment, and debris can get through the openings under the front bumper, damaging the air-conditioner condenser. The ABS wiring and fuel and brake lines are well mounted. Two hooks in the rear are helpful in securing a canoe, for example, on the roof. The overhead camshafts are chain driven. Conclusion By combining parts originating from a few different products Toyota has successfully concocted a relatively versatile vehicle that’s comfortable, easy handling, well equipped, and fun to drive. But efficient though it may be, it is in no way revolutionary, which raises the question, did Toyota really need to create this new division to attract younger buyers? Hopefully for Toyota, the answer is yes. PROS: comfortable front seats, smooth automatic transmission, well-adapted engine, road comportment, handling, standard equipment CONS: three-quarter-rear visibility, front seats too high, blind zone created by inside mirror, several controls and glove compartment not lighted, openings under front bumper, emergency braking a bit long 2011 SCION xD Engine: 16-valve, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 128 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 125 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic Suspension: independent/semi-independent Brakes: disc/drum Wheelbase: 246 cm Length: 393 cm Width: 172.5 cm Height: 151 cm Weight: 1,190 to 1,208 kg Tires: P195/60R16 Maximum towing capacity: forbidden Airbags: dual front, two side, two for the knees of the front occupants and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with automatic transmission Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 7.6 L/100 km (37 mpg) Highway: 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) Test result: 8.1 L/100 km (34 mpg) Test temperature: 2 °C to 18 °C CO2 emissions: 3,128 kg/20,000 km Fuel tank capacity: 42 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 9.9 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.2 seconds Competition: Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5, Mazda2, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Yaris Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $642 Front brake disc: $100 Brake pads: $67 Muffler: $215 Front fender: $276 Price according to trim level (freight and preparation included): $18,590 Main options: Automatic transmission: $900 Price as tested: $ 19,490 Dealers: Quebec: 29 Canada: 84 © April 2011. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec .