A popularly priced subcompact 5-door hatchback,the Scion xD shares a platform with its stablemate,the Toyota Yaris,and boasts some extra power. Like other Scion models,it offers few factory options but a good-sized menu of dealer-installed add-ons. The 2010 model is almost a carryover from the previous year,with stability control added as a standard feature. Its main competitors include the Honda Fit,Nissan Cube,and the Kia Soul.

The base 2010 Scion xD features 16-inch steel wheels; cruise control; air conditioning; power windows,mirrors and locks; a reclining and sliding back seat that folds flat; and a 6-speaker sound system with steering-wheel-mounted controls. Optional is the Alpine sound system,which adds a color touch screen and Media Expander technology. With the Alpine,a plug-in navigation system becomes available. Dealer-installed options include 18-inch alloy wheels,sport pedals and steering wheel,a rear spoiler,ambient lighting,remote ignition,and much more. With the rear seats folded,the 2010 Scion xD provides 35.7 cubic feet of cargo space,according to the maker.

The standard power plant in the 2010 Scion xD is a 128-horsepower,1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine,with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission,that delivers 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway,according to the EPA.

Standard safety features on the 2010 Scion xD include anti-lock brakes with brake assist,traction control,stability control,active front head restraints,dual front air bags,front side air bags,and overhead curtain air bags. A theft-deterrent system is optional. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2010 Scion xD an ?Acceptable? rating in its frontal-offset crash test,and the highest-possible ?Good? ratings for side- and rear-impact protection. In government crash tests,the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2010 Scion xD 4 out of 5 stars for driver and front-passenger protection in front-impact tests,and 5 stars for side-impact protection.

Starting MSRP for the 2010 Scion xD was $14,900.