The base head unit had MP3, WMA, and AAC CD compatibility, and Scion's SSP equalizer presets, as well as orange lighting.

Also, the iPod connectivity featured a USB port, along with an AUX jack located together, on the driver side of the vehicle.

The front-wheel-drive xD comes with the 2ZR-FE DOHC 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i that makes 128 bhp (95 kW) and 125 lb⋅ft (169 N⋅m) of torque.

Unlike the Yaris and xA/first generation Ist, the xD's instrument gauges are located behind the steering wheel (as opposed to being centered atop the dashboard).

Because of the short production runs (most dealers only got 2–3 of each RS model), these limited edition vehicles quickly sell out.

To the customer's benefit, Scion's "Pure Price" MSRP binds dealerships against market-demand vehicle mark-up.

According to Consumer Reports, the xD was the most reliable new automobile for 2009 in the United States, with 83 percent fewer problems than average.

However, the closely related Toyota Urban Cruiser scored a poor 3/5 stars in the Euro NCAP tests.