Scion xB
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
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