2004 Scion xB Review

Call it funny looking or call it cute -- the youth-oriented, affordable, economical Scion xB from Toyota is amazingly roomy. It's also fun to drive, at least at moderate speeds.

The boxy front-drive Scion (pronounced SIGH-on) xB hatchback sedan is the most distinctive-looking vehicle in the Scion line, which includes a more conventional-looking $12,480 xA four-door hatchback and new $15,950 tC two-door hatchback. (If you're selling offbeat vehicles, you might as well give them offbeat designations such as "xB.'')

The subcompact xB is eminently affordable: $13,680 with a five-speed manual gearbox, and $14,480 with a four-speed automatic transmission, which was responsive in my test xB.

The xB has standard equipment not usually found in a low-priced car. It includes air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control system, AM/FM/ CD/MP3 player, tilt wheel, intermittent wipers, rear defogger and wiper, rear privacy glass, split-folding back seat and power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry.

Parents concerned about the safety of their kids for whom they might buy an xB will be happy to learn it's offered with the anti-skid system, a brake assist feature for surer panic stops .

Other extras include a $395 AM/FM radio with an in-dash six-disc CD changer, $350 fog lights and a silly $385 rear spoiler. Satellite radio is $695. No sunroof is offered.

Toyota had little luck attracting young drivers with its small, youth-oriented Echo sedan, which looked more goofy than trendy and ended up mostly attracting the over-40 crowd. But Toyota has been quite successful with the funky, trendy xB in the youth market despite the automaker's "sensible shoes'' reputation among youth.

Scions went on sale last year in California, and reached Toyota showrooms here only last month. The fact that there are few xBs on Chicago area roads partially explained why this vehicle drew many glances. It's the type of extremely utilitarian vehicle you see a lot of in Tokyo, but not in Chicago.

The xB looks more like a small van or station wagon than a sedan with a high roof. Its body has what hot rodders call a "slammed'' (lowered) look, and the $665 alloy wheels give it a custom appearance. So do the standard color-keyed door handles, bumpers and twin outside mirrors.

The Scion uses the small 1.5-liter, 108-horsepower four-cylinder engine, transmissions and other components from the Echo. It's a sophisticated dual-overhead-camshaft 16-valve engine and has variable valve timing for better responsiveness. But its size makes it work hard during brisk acceleration. It emits a low drone at highway speeds because the engine spins fast: 3,000 rpm at 70 mph, for example.

Acceleration is lively to 60 mph, but the xB then gets lazy, providing just so-so 65-75 mph passing performance. The 0-60 mph acceleration with the automatic transmission is a leisurely 11.5 seconds, but is a little quicker with the manual gearbox. The xB isn't the slowest small car, but a larger, quieter engine with more punch would be welcome. However, such an engine would use more fuel. The xB is fuel stingy, delivering an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 35 on highways with the manual transmission and 30 and 34 with the automatic.

Steering is quick, with a compact turning circle. Handling is pretty sharp, with a sport suspension and fairly wide 60-series tires on 15-inch wheels. The xB just isn't fast enough to call for better handling. The firm-but-supple ride is comfortable, although it gets a bit jiggly on uneven expressway pavement. The xB brakes reasonably well, but larger tires would enhance handling and help provide shorter stopping distances.

The impressive interior room blows you away, with almost limo-style rear seating. Five tall adults fit comfortably, with three across in the back because the center of the rear seat isn't high and hard, as it is on many small cars. Rear windows roll all the way down.

There is a huge windshield with six washer jets and plenty of glass area for superb all-around visibility. Occupants sit high in the mostly quiet interior, and the front bucket seats offer good grip when zipping through curves. Climate controls are large, but the small sound-system controls are hard to work when driving.

The center-mounted dashtop gauge cluster seems gimmicky, but its speedometer is fairly easy to read quickly (not so for the small tachometer). Why not just put instruments directly in front of a driver? Front cupholders mounted low under the dashboard invite spills.

There is moderate cargo space with rear seatbacks in their normal position, although a week's groceries for a family will fit. The seatbacks fold forward and sit flat to greatly increase the cargo area, which has a low, wide opening. But beware the dealer-installed subwoofer because it's put squarely in the middle of the cargo area.

The Scion xB has many virtues, and Toyota's solid quality reputation helps sales.

2004 SCION XB

Prices
$13,680-$14,480

Likes
Exceptional room. Fun to drive. Fuel-stingy.

Dislikes
Peculiar styling. Small engine. Center-mounted instrument cluster. Tiny radio controls.