The xB is all about attitude. The question is, how much can you handle? Toyota’s Gen Y-targeted vehicles Cruise with your friends and chill. Toyota realizes that quality, value, safety and reliability are good things, but has struggled with how to wrap all those good qualities into a package that consumers under 30 would embrace. Enter Scion. With the Scion brand, Toyota is making a credible effort to understand the Generation Y market and give it what it wants without pushing it down young people’s throats. Housed within Toyota dealerships, Scion salespeople are supposed to play it straight with consumers — this means no-haggle pricing and the ability to get a car the way a customer wants it in about a week. And by offering over three dozen dealer-installed options, Scion hopes to give its buyers unprecedented opportunity to customize their cars before taking delivery.
The xB is our favorite. It looks like nothing else on the market, save for a passing resemblance to Honda’s Element. In addition, it has tremendous passenger- and cargo-carrying capability for its size, making it an inexpensive way to lug about friends and gear associated with an active lifestyle. it’s fully equipped in every other way, Antilock brakes, stability and traction control, air conditioning, a six-speaker Pioneer stereo with a CD player, a 60/40-split folding and removable rear seat, a tachometer, power windows, locks, mirrors and steering, and keyless entry — in short, an impressive list for an economy vehicle. Throw in a pleasant driving demeanor, and it’s obvious that Scion will have no trouble selling this practical, stylish vehicle for a base MSRP of $14,165
The xB is sold as a single trim level. Each one comes with ABS; air conditioning; power windows, locks, mirrors and steering; a six-speaker Pioneer stereo with a CD player; a 60/40-split folding and removable rear seat; keyless entry; a rear wiper; rear defroster; a tachometer; and a ground effects kit. There are about 40 dealer-installed options. This list includes a CD changer with multicolor head unit illumination, satellite radio, a subwoofer, alloy wheels, a roof rack and a lighting kit for the foot wells, just to name a few. Those seeking to eke out a bit more performance can opt for a strut tower brace and/or a cold air intake
Power comes from a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder with variable valve timing. It’s the same engine used in the Echo and xA, and it makes 108 horsepower. This isn’t a lot, and as the xB weighs almost 400 pounds more than the Echo, acceleration isn’t as spirited. Still, it has enough get-up-and-go for city driving, and it cruises along comfortably on the highway. Merging and passing maneuvers require a little more effort, particularly on cars with the four-speed automatic. A five-speed manual is the other transmission choice. Fuel economy is in the 30-mpg range
The xB comes with stability and traction control; antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; three-point belts in all five seating positions and a first aid kit. It has not yet been crash tested
Being tall (64.6 inches) and boxy has its advantages, and the xB treats its passengers to incredible amounts of head- and legroom. Even when the front chairs are adjusted for a normal-size driver and passenger, those seated in the rear (there’s room for three) are still able to stretch out their legs. And stylish as the xB is, these attributes make it a great vehicle for anyone with a baby on board. With the rear seats in use, the xB can hold 21 cubic feet of cargo; fold or remove these seats and the number goes up to 43. Apart from being spacious, the cabin is agreeable in appearance. Lots of hard plastic is inevitable in this price range, but most of it is low in gloss. The center-mounted gauge pod may take some getting used to.
Although the xB is built on the same platform as the Echo (a car we’ve never considered a good handler), it’s amazing what a set of 15-inch wheels and tires and a rear stabilizer bar can do. On the highway, the xB feels solidly connected to the road and offers a reasonably smooth ride. Some wind buffeting is inevitable with its anti-aerodynamic design, but not enough to make it feel unsafe. Driven enthusiastically around twists and turns, the xB is more entertaining than its dimensions and price would suggest.
The new car marque from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., reported February sales of 4,544 units, after almost a full month of sales in 24 states. The sleek xA hatchback posted sales of 1,409 units, while the boxy xB urban utility vehicle reported sales of 3,135 units. Scion was created to suit the demands of an emerging culture of influential new car buyers known as Generation Y.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air Conditioner
Power Windows (with one-touch Auto Down on driver’s window)
Power Door Locks with Remote Entry
Power Outside Mirrors
Rear Window Defogger
Digital Clock
Tilt-Steering Wheel Column
Rear Privacy Glass
Tachometer and Trip Meter
Driver’s Sun Visor
Sport Front Bucket Seats with Fabric Upholstery
Cargo Area Under-floor Storage
60/40 Split Rear Seat
Amber Instrument Panel Illumination
Exterior Features
Choice of 3 Wheel Cover Designs
Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlamps
Fender Mounted Turn Indicators
Intermittent Front Wipers
Rear Wiper
Chrome Exhaust Tip
Exterior Ground Effects Kit (includes front air dam, rocker panel extensions, and rear valance panel)
Audio
Pioneer AM/FM/CD Head Unit (MP3 and Satellite controller capable)
Scion Sound Processing
6-Speakers (including 2 tweeters)
Rear Glass Mount Antenna
Safety Features
Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) and Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) Scion Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) is an electronic system designed to help the driver maintain vehicle control under adverse conditions. It is not a substitute for safe driving practices. Factors including speed, road conditions and driver steering input can all affect whether VSC will be effective in preventing a loss of control.
Driver and Passenger 3-Point Seat Belts
3-Across Rear Head Rests
3-Across 3-Point Rear Seat Belts
First Aid Kit
Safety First
Both models offer a wide range of active and passive safety features. Key components include a dual two-stage supplemental restraint system including front airbags with sensors to detect the severity of a frontal collision, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), front seat belt pretensioners, and 3-point anchor seat belts for all five seating positions. In addition, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) are standard on the xB.
Other safety measures include a rigid body shell and impact absorbing structure. The passenger compartment is designed with reinforced cross and side members that are laid out horizontally to help spread crash impact forces to the vehicle’s upper body across the entire body structure. Other passive measures are centrally located gauges that reduce eye movement and make it easier to focus on the road.
Performance
The 1.5 Liter 16 valve in-line 4-cylinder engine is found in Scion xB, and features Variable Valve Timing w/ Intelligence (VVTi). This powerplant is light and compact, providing an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
It supplies high performance, low emission and noise levels, and impressive estimated fuel efficiency – 31 city/35 highway mpg for the xB with manual transmission, and 30 city/34 highway mpg for the xB with automatic transmission.
When equipped with an automatic transmission, this advanced powertrain includes grade logic, which controls shift logic when traveling uphill or downhill. Upshifts can be inhibited when lifting the throttle for a curve; thus keeping the engine rpm in the peak torque band and providing a smoother ascent. Similar logic applies during downhill driving to provide more engine braking by not upshifting needlessly.
The sport-tuned suspension has stiffened springs tuned for fun-to-drive performance, an anti-roll bar and a precise steering feel to provide an enjoyable overall driving experience.
Mechanical/Performance
Engine Double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement 1.5 liters (1,496 cc)
Bore x stroke 75 mm x 84.7 mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Valvetrain Double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-I)
Induction system Multi-port EFI
Ignition system Electronic with Direct Ignition (TDI)
Horsepower 108 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque 105 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual overdrive Standard
4-speed electronically controlled transmission (ECT) Available
Suspension
Front Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear Torsion beam with stabilizer bar
Steering Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
Brakes Power-assisted ventilated front disc / rear drum with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Exterior Dimensions (inches)
Overall height 64.6
Overall width 66.5
Overall length 155.3
Wheelbase 98.4
Track (front / rear) 57.3/56.3
Ground Clearance 6.1
Interior Dimensions Front/Rear (inches)
Head Room 46.1/45.7
Shoulder Room 48.6/50.0
Hip Room 50.6/50.6
Leg Room 45.3/38.0
Seating Capacity 5
Weights and Capacities
Curb Weight, manual/automatic (lbs.) 2395/2450
Fuel tank (gal.) 11.9
Tires P185/60R15 All-Season tires on steel wheels with full 15″ wheel covers
Spare Temporary
Mileage Estimates (MPG City/Highway)
Manual 31/35 | Automatic 30/34
Base MSRP* (includes standard features)
Manual $14,165 | Automatic $14,965
Scion Coverages:
Basic Coverage:
All components other than normal wear and maintenance items are covered for 36 months/36,000 miles.
Powertrain Coverage:
Your engine, transmission/transaxle, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, seatbelts and air bags are covered for 5 years/60,000 miles.
Rust-Through Coverage:
Corrosion perforation of sheet metal is covered for 60 months/unlimited miles.
Federal Emission Coverage:
Components under the federal emission defect warranty are covered for 36 months/36,000 miles and specified major emission control components are covered for 8 years/80,000 miles. Specified major emission control components under emission performance warranty are also covered for 8 years/80,000 miles. In addition, emission performance warranty is applicable for 24 months/24,000 miles in states and local jurisdictions that require a periodic EPA-approved inspection and maintenance program.
California Emission Control Coverage:
In California and any other state that adopts California emission warranty provisions, performance warranty and defect warranty coverage is applicable for 36 months/50,000 miles, and specific control devices are covered for 7 years/70,000 miles.
Genuine Scion Accessories:
Warranty coverage is for 12 months, regardless of mileage, with the exception of car covers, which are warranted for 12 months only. If the part or accessory is installed during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period, coverage is for the 12 months or the remainder of the applicable warranty coverage.
Transportation Assistance:
You may be eligible for transportation assistance if your vehicle is required to be kept overnight for warrantable repairs