Test Drive: Why Did The Scion xD Fall Short of Expectations?

The billboard along Interstate 75 has always been tempting.

Tony Packo's allegedly has the best Coney Island hot dogs west of Lake Erie.

A self-proclaimed Coney connoisseur, I took the all-new Scion xD down to the 75-year-old establishment to sample the chili dogs, stuffed cabbage and try to spot Jamie Farr -- or at least see his name scrawled proudly across a bun mounted on the wall. Plus, I might get to expense the meal.

The food was top-notch; the beanless chili had just the right touch of spice, the cabbage was flavorful and even the dogs were on par with the finest eateries along Detroit's Lafayette Boulevard.

The Scion, however, was the equivalent of over-boiled sausage on a stale bun. Cover it with mustard or cheese or even that neon-green relish and it still would leave a bad taste in your mouth.


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theoptimisticpessimist - 11/29/2007 12:56:42 PM

+3 Boost

1. It looks more mainstream.
2. The odd "I love cars that are shape like toast crowd is filled"

theoptimisticpessimist - 11/29/2007 12:57:19 PM

+2 Boost

Toast = Toaster

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2007 4:36:31 PM

+2 Boost

No, I like "toast." This car looks more like toast than a toaster.

answer - 11/29/2007 1:18:07 PM

+5 Boost

I'm no fan of the car, but damn.

That reviewer comes across like an elderly English teacher trying to get the classroom VCR to play a movie.

I think the reviewer is so passionate about hotdogs because he himself is a wiener.

Agent009 - 11/29/2007 1:20:26 PM

+3 Boost

LOL! I like your analogies!

EL34 - 11/29/2007 1:22:43 PM

-2 Boost

Still looks like a shoe box with one round back-up light.

Bill - 11/29/2007 2:17:41 PM

+1 Boost

Compared to the other Scion models, this one has "BOREDOM" written all over it. I actually like the Scion designs, except this one.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2007 4:37:19 PM

+3 Boost

Compare it to the new Toyota Matrix.

Identical front ends.

1970toyotamarc - 11/29/2007 4:16:46 PM

0 Boost

The more the mainstream (esp Detroit) media trashes Scions, the better they sell. The xD is going to blow away xA sales, msm be damned. For those lamenting the xB's size/engine incrase, the xD fills the slot nicely with style, economy, performance and feature content. Nobody liked the O.G. xA, but as is the case whenever a brand makes a change, the liar-haters come out and tell u how much they loved the last model, and cant believe how the mfr screwed up the new one. This doesnt just happen to toyota, tho it is epidemic regarding toyota on this site. Its so tired, people.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/2/2007 2:11:30 AM

+1 Boost

What if that is actually true?

I didn't like the xA, though. And I don't like this either.

The last-gen xB was nice. The tC is better. The new xB is alright... a bit too bland to drive, from the reviews.

richard112360 - 11/29/2007 6:42:00 PM

+2 Boost

Just one guys opinion. I bet they sell like hotcakes to the 40 and over crowd.

StickShiftCamry - 11/30/2007 10:04:07 PM

+1 Boost

This writer...he's comparing it to an Aveo. I hate small cars, but this one is for ppl that want small cars but don' want it to look small. It's better than that Yaris and Fit. It has big body characteristics, u could fit big rims on this one, and that 1.8 is capable...