One of the mainstream auto magazines (Motor Trend, I think) has a comparison of these three cars in its current issue.

To cut to the chase, about the only thing that they didn't like about the xA was the center speedo. The xA won the comparison hands-down with comments like "Now this is a _real_ car" and the usual raves about Toyota fit and finish. Apparently, the Chevy and Kia vehicles were far less capable for highway travel.

George

 

any idea if this is on the interweb?

 

I've seen it, but they drastically cut down on length. It's better worth your time to peruse it at a grocery store aka public library.

Be warned that it was last months issue, and most places will have the new issue in shortly. . . I already received mine in the mail. The new issue has an in depth review on the tC. . . so maybe check out both issues!

 

Go to you public library. I do, yeah I'm cheap.

 

I could actually tell you the comparison between the Kia and the XA. My brother has the KIa and I had the xa for a few days while some work was being done on my box.

The kia in my opinion has more room.....but like they said it feels allot cheaper. The door panels, the dash and center console are made out of this very cheap plastic that it feels as if you were going to break. Also one thing that i noticed on the Kia is that they have "almost" the same engine but when you turn the AC on the Kia there goes your speed and any momentum you had. The AC unit used in the KIA is a really big unit that draws too much power and makes the small engine feel even smaller and less powerfull.

Overall I like the XA better but I still love my box... :D :D

 

Here's a quick take:

Motor Trend July 2004 "College Cars 101". The Chevy Aveo took thrid place, the Kia Rio Cinco took second, and the Scion xA first.

"The difference in general composure and refinement between this car and the others is stark." "The superiority of the Scion is apparent by the second mile of Ohio country road.""Remarkably well-composed on the twisty loops.""This seat was comfortable for 111 miles---a real car!""Fun-to-drive is better by a factor of 10.""In short, the xA graduated summa *** laude, with the other two duking it out for a photo finish well back in the rankings".

What's Hot: Slick-rev-happy engine, buttoned-down go-fast chassis, heel'n-toe optimized cockpit
What's Not: Firm ride, mini cargo hold, center gauge cluster
Don't Miss: Staggering array of mood lighting and other personalization accessories
Bottom Line: Not surprisingly the lightest, most powerful, shortest-geared, best-built car aced all our tests.

 

I checked it out while I was at the YMCA and gave it a quick read.

Good stuff!