Who makes Scion xA?
The Scion xA was built by Toyota Motor Corporation, marketed in the United States under Toyota’s Scion brand. In practice, Toyota produced the car and used the Scion nameplate to target a younger audience in North America.
Origins of the Scion xA
Scion was launched by Toyota in the early 2000s as a distinct brand aimed at younger buyers. The xA was among the first models introduced to the U.S. market as part of this new lineup, a compact hatchback that shared engineering with a Toyota model sold in Japan.
Badge engineering and platform
The Scion xA is widely understood to be a badge-engineered version of the Toyota Ist hatchback (a subcompact sold in Japan). The Scion version was tailored for North America with unique branding and styling while relying on Toyota engineering and components.
Manufacturing and model years
The xA was produced for export by Toyota, primarily built in Japan and shipped to the United States and Canada. It was available for a limited period in the mid-2000s, commonly cited as the 2004–2006 model years.
Key facts about who makes the Scion xA and how it came to market:
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation (for the Scion brand)
- Brand: Scion (Toyota's youth-focused marque)
- Based on: Toyota Ist hatchback (Japan)
- Assembly location: Japan (imported to North America)
- Model years: 2004–2006
The Scion xA reflects Toyota’s strategy in the early 2000s to reach new buyers through a dedicated brand and badge-engineered models, a tactic that shaped the Scion lineup before the brand was discontinued.
Legacy and discontinuation
Scion as a brand was discontinued in 2016, with existing models either retired or folded into Toyota’s broader lineup. The xA remains part of Toyota’s historical approach to attracting younger buyers and expanding its small-car offerings.
Summary
The Scion xA was made by Toyota Motor Corporation under its Scion division, produced in Japan and sold in North America from 2004 to 2006 as a badge-engineered version of the Toyota Ist. It stands as a notable example of Toyota’s early Scion strategy, which ultimately ended when the brand was merged back into Toyota’s broader lineup in 2016.
Why was the Scion xA discontinued?
Why did Toyota dissolve Scion? Like "Project Genesis" and the Toyota Echo, Scion came off to a roaring start. It sold more than 173,000 cars in 2006, but sales tumbled by 2013 as the brand sold fewer than 69,000 cars. The trend continued in 2014 and 2015, when Scion sold only 58,000 and 56,000 cars, respectively.
What are common problems with Scion xA?
Top Scion xA Problems
- Check Engine Light Due to Defective VVT-i Controller.
- Cable Adjustment Needed if AC Doesn't Blow Cold Enough.
- Squeaking Noise When Applying Brakes in Reverse.
- Water Leak Due to Plugged AC Drain.
- Scion xA evaporative emissions system issue with failure codes P0441, P0442, P0446.
What is the Scion xA based on?
Toyota Vitz hatchback
The Scion xA is a five-door subcompact hatchback marketed in the US from 2004 to 2006 — as an export model of the Japanese domestic market Toyota Ist. Based on the first generation Toyota Vitz hatchback, the xA shared a platform with the Toyota Platz sedan.
Is Scion still made by Toyota?
No, the Scion car brand is no longer in business. Toyota discontinued the brand in 2016, phasing it out after the 2016 model year and transitioning most of its vehicles to the Toyota lineup, such as the FR-S becoming the Toyota 86 and the iM becoming the Toyota Corolla iM.
- Discontinuation: Toyota announced the end of the Scion brand in February 2016, explaining that it was no longer necessary to have a separate marque to target younger buyers.
- Vehicle transition: Most Scion models were absorbed into the Toyota brand for the 2017 model year.
- The FR-S became the Toyota 86.
- The iA became the Toyota Yaris iA.
- The iM became the Toyota Corolla iM.
- The tC was discontinued.
- The C-HR was moved to the Toyota brand.
- Customer service: Customers were assured that Scion service and repair would continue at Toyota dealerships.
Note: There are reports of a one-off concept vehicle using the Scion name in 2025, but this does not signify a revival of the brand, according to this YouTube video and this YouTube video. The brand was a specific marketing experiment that was discontinued.
