The Scion xA does 30 mpg combined (27 city, 34.7 highway), which works out to about $1,280 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Scion xA engine, compared
The Scion xA was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 27 / 34.7 | 2004–2006 | $1,280 |
What that actually costs
The Scion xA burns a gallon every 30 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 400 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.107 |
| Fuel per year | $1,280 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,400 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$214 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,100 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Scion xA gives up 7.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 34.7 out there against 27 in town, a 29% drop worth $315 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 27 mpg | $1,422 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 34.7 mpg | $1,107 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.7 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the xA changed over the years
Combined figure across the 3 model years the xA was rated in, all of them at 30 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2005 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2004 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 3 EPA ratings of the Scion xA — 1 engine across 2004–2006. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,100. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Scion xA get?
30 mpg combined on average — 27 in the city and 34.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2006.
How much does a Scion xA cost in fuel per year?
About $1,280 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,400 over five years, or 0.107 dollars a mile.
Which xA engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 30 mpg.
Is the xA good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world xA figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Scion xA is $2,100 against the $1,280 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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