- hatchback
- 11,995 overpriced
- Palmdale, CA
-
- autoshopper.com
2005 scion xb review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Stylish, inexpensive and practical. introductionthe scion xb is a box on wheels with strong styling that grabs attention, often from members of the opposite sex. It's a five-passenger wagon that doesn't look like a wagon. Nor does it look like a toyota, though it's built by toyota and carries the company's high standards of quality, durability and reliability. as a result, the scion xb feels tight. And it's quiet, with little wind noise and no squeaks or rattles. Inside, it's roomy and has a nice interior with controls that are easy to operate. The driver and passengers sit upright in chair-like seats and enjoy excellent visibility. These comprise both appearance and functional items. Among the eye-candies are clear tail lamp lenses, rear bumper applique, body side graphics, led interior lighting, carbon fiber shift knob, sport pedals, and an instrument panel applique. Adding function are a leather-wrapped steering wheel (red or gray), front strut tower brace, fog lamps, cup holder illumination, removable roof rack, 6-cd changer, satellite radio tuner and antenna, cold-air induction system, and an assortment of handling and performance goodies from toyota racing development. walkaroundthe styling of the scion xb is polarizing. It drew numerous accolades, looks of approval, and positive hand signals from people in miami and south florida. the scion xb looks like nothing else on the road. Sheets of flat metal and glass on the sides join at right angles with a flat roof, a flat hood and a flat liftgate. Only the barest hint of a curve softens the front end and windshield. A honda element looks curvaceous when parked alongside this exercise in extreme angularity. the wheels and tires look tiny under the boxy exterior. Aftermarket alloys that fill the wheel wells would likely improve its looks. tall doors open wide. Top-hinged outside door handles fit smoothly into the xb's slab-sided styling, but they're less ergonomic and less friendly to fingernails than open, full-round handles like those found on the xb's more traditionally styled sibling, the xa. The seats are more like chairs than car seats, raised somewhat above the mostly flat floor. Side bolsters on the seat back and seat bottom cushions are minimal making for easy entry and exit. The floor-mounted shift lever falls readily to hand, as does the hand-operated emergency brake. Pedals are ergonomically placed. gauges are centered on the top of the dash instead of being directly in front of the driver. Scion says this makes the instruments easier to see because they're closer to the driver's line of sight through the windshield and focal plane. No doubt this also saves cost in a car built for markets around the world that use both right-hand and left-hand steering. We found the blank landscape between the spokes of the steering wheel takes some acclimation. At night, we kept wondering, 'where are the dash lights?' once acclimated, the driver finds a large, black-on-white speedometer, a small tachometer and a small fuel gauge. the broad expanses of glass make outward visibility stellar, good for heavy traffic and tight parking spaces. Big outside mirrors afford a good view rearward. interior quality is better than decent, especially given the xb's price point. Fit and finish are up to toyota standards. The stereo is mounted above the air conditioning controls because they're operated more often. Temperature and ventilation settings are adjusted with basic knobs, buttons and lever. But the stereo plays to people used to directional buttons and pda cursor pads. the xb's exterior styling suggests a roomy interior and it delivers on this promise. Compared with the honda civic and vw golf, the xb leads in virtually every passenger compartment measurement, and generally not by small amounts. Scion xb delivers about 6 inches more front and rear headroom and 3-5 inches more legroom than civic and golf offer. Amazingly, the xb boasts nearly 3 inches more front-seat headroom and 7 inches more rear-seat headroom than the element, despite the element being 6 inches taller. The element easily tops the xb, however, offering 74. 6 cubic feet of cargo space versus the xb's 43. 4 cubic feet. ordering the available subwoofer takes up 2 square feet of floor space in the cargo area. Worse, it's mounted right smack in the middle rear of the cargo area and is really in the way when loading or unloading materials. There are the usual map pockets in the doors, cupholders front and rear and so on. There's a nook in the lower half of the dash to the left of the steering column, a cranny to the right of the column and a shelf-like opening above the glove box. driving impressionthe ride is firm. At first, the xb didn't generate a lot of confidence when braking and cornering, especially when they're done at the same time, but confidence in its capabilities increases with time behind the wheel. Body lean in corners is minimal, notwithstanding the tallish glass house. It's difficult to envision the xb in a situation requiring the vehicle stability control system, but it's standing by in the event it's needed, ready to eliminate any skidding. Steering assist is about right. Torque peaks at rather high engine speeds, so revving it up in lower gears is advisable for merging onto freeways. Scion xb gets excellent gas mileage: 31/35 mpg on the epa city/highway test with the manual, 30/34 with the automatic. the automatic is responsive enough. Gear changes with the manual shifter could have been crisper, but clutch take-up is smooth. Brakes feel solid and hold well on steep hills. the scion is a small toyota. With that comes quality design and assembly, which translates into minimal wind noise; no odd vibrations, buzzes, squeaks or rattles; and no harshness, really, at least nothing beyond what might be expected in a relatively lightweight, short-wheelbase car. summarythe scion xb features trendy styling, a roomy cabin, and is priced aggressively. When it comes to moving stuff around, it's better than a compact car. Because it's a toyota, owners should expect and expect and demand solid quality and the durability and reliability associated with the marque. model lineupscion xb 13,680). options as testedalloy wheels 665); wheel locks 59); sound package 774) includes am/fm/6cd, bazooka tube subwoofer; security system 429); light package 879) includes luxaura led enhancement, cup holder illumination, fog lights; logo brown exterior package 758) includes rear spoiler, body-side graphic, b-pillar applique, fuel-filler applique; preferred package 366) includes carpeted floor mats, cargo mat, cargo net, acsco door sill enhancements, rear bumper applique. model testedscion xb automatic 14,480). The scion xb is a box on wheels with strong styling that grabs attention. It's a five-passenger wagon that doesn't look like a wagon. It comes standard with power windows and door locks; tilt steering wheel; 60/40-split folding a. Anti-lock Brakes✔ Tachometer✔ Power Windows✔ AM/FM✔ Air Conditioning✔ CD Changer✔ Sound Package
11,995 Palmdale, CAPalmdale, CA at autoshopper.com