2012 Scion xD Reviews, Pricing & Specs

$15,345 to $16,250

Original MSRP

expert review

4.5

avg user rating

Looking to keep its share of the young car-buying market, Scion rolls out the 2012 version of its xD to new-car showrooms in October. Scion hopes to increase its market share against competitors such as the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta with this latest version of its economical family-style midsize hatchback.

Keeping in tune with its target market, the 2012 Scion xD now comes standard with a Pioneer CD stereo with hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, which allows the driver to stream audio directly to the stereo. The speakers are also updated, and the car now comes with a standard six-way system. When not using the stereo, the driver can flip on the HD radio, which is also now standard equipment. Holding over from the previous model year is the USB/iPod port.

Mechanically, the Scion xD is unchanged from 2011, coming standard with a 1.8-liter, 128-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

More standard features include antilock front disc/rear drum brakes, an electronic stability system (with traction control), 6 airbags (including side-impact airbags for front-seat occupants and side curtain airbags for other occupants), active head restraints, a tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a chrome exhaust tip and a rear-window wiper.

The 2012 Scion xD is currently available in only one trim – the base 4-door hatchback – but can be customized a number of different ways. Some of these options include Toyota Racing Development (TRD) 18-inch alloy wheels (as opposed to the standard 16-inch wheels), a navigation system, TRD sport muffler, performance shocks, rear sway bar and lowering springs.

Compared to the other cars in its class, the 2012 Scion xD only rates about average when it comes to performance and handling. While its 1.8-liter engine is considered peppy, the vehicle has some issues when tackling steep hills. Passing performance is rated about average as well, with many considering the xD better in city driving and not as good on the highway. As far as handling, the 2012 Scion xD handles corners very well but is somewhat sluggish, especially with the automatic transmission, when weaving through traffic.

Able to seat 5 comfortably, with plenty of both leg- and headroom and good gas mileage (27 mpg city/33 highway), the 2012 Scion xD should do well against its competitors and even win over new converts with the upgrades to the sound system.

Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team

While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

2012 Scion xD Pricing

Original MSRP

$15,345 to $16,250

Price range

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Average price on CG

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Scion xD price trends

Trims & specs

2012 Scion xD Base

Original MSRP: $15,345

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Pioneer · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 160 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in dash · Vanity mirrors: dual

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 14.8 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

2012 Scion xD RS 4.0

Original MSRP: $16,250