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2005 Scion xB Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2005 Scion xB Review:
2005 Scion xB Review
This boxy wagon from Toyota's youth-oriented division carries into 2005 with no significant changes. The xB has front-wheel drive and a platform shared with Scion's smaller xA, but tops it with a taller vanlike body with a one-piece rear liftgate. Like the xA, the xB seats five and borrows its 1.5-liter 4-cyl engine, manual and optional automatic transmissions, and other underskin components from parent-company Toyota's small Echo sedan. ABS is standard. Also included is an antiskid/traction-control system that isn't available on the xA. However, the xA offers front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that aren't available on the xB. Scions are sold through Toyota dealers, who carry a number of factory-approved dress-up accessories, plus functional items including larger alloy wheels to replace the xB's standard 15-inch steel wheels.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.
News
The xB still has a high "cool quotient" and strong youth-market sales appeal, but Scion knows its target customers always want something even cooler. That's why some industry sources feel the xB will be replaced rather than redesigned by model-year 2008. Toyota might need something new by then anyway, because rival Nissan is expected to have an xB-like compact of its own in the next 1-2 years, perhaps modeled on the aptly named Japan-market Cube. It will be interesting to see Scion's response to the challenge.
2005 Scion xB Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Fuel economy | Acceleration |
| Passenger room | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Test xB with manual transmission did 9.8 sec 0-60 mph. Manual transmission has smooth shift action. Acceleration adequate with automatic, but merging and passing power lacking.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 3 | 4.1 |
Test xB with manual transmission did 9.8 sec 0-60 mph. Manual transmission has smooth shift action. Acceleration adequate with automatic, but merging and passing power lacking.
Fuel Economy
Test xB with manual transmission averaged 24.6 mpg in city/freeway driving that included gas-eating performance runs. Test xB with automatic averaged 26.3 mpg in normal driving. Toyota recommends regular-grade fuel.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 7 | 6.7 |
Test xB with manual transmission averaged 24.6 mpg in city/freeway driving that included gas-eating performance runs. Test xB with automatic averaged 26.3 mpg in normal driving. Toyota recommends regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Jiggly but not uncomfortable on fast freeways, though test car bucked and bounced over some sharp bumps and big humps. Ride hard and thumpy with dealer-available upsized wheels and/or firmer suspension components.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Jiggly but not uncomfortable on fast freeways, though test car bucked and bounced over some sharp bumps and big humps. Ride hard and thumpy with dealer-available upsized wheels and/or firmer suspension components.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Stable feel, moderate body lean in tight, fast corners. Standard antiskid/traction-control system a plus; small, skinny tires have limited grip, squeal early in turns. Quick steering, compact turning circle aid parking. Standard ABS gives competent routine braking, but our 60-0-mph panic-stop test showed fairly long distances.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.4 |
Stable feel, moderate body lean in tight, fast corners. Standard antiskid/traction-control system a plus; small, skinny tires have limited grip, squeal early in turns. Quick steering, compact turning circle aid parking. Standard ABS gives competent routine braking, but our 60-0-mph panic-stop test showed fairly long distances.
Quietness
Not irksome at full throttle, but only average in top-gear 60-mph cruising, with about equal parts engine hum and tire drone. Wind rush modest for such a boxy body.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not irksome at full throttle, but only average in top-gear 60-mph cruising, with about equal parts engine hum and tire drone. Wind rush modest for such a boxy body.
Controls
Large, round dashtop gauge cluster is slightly right of driver but easy to read. Warning lights grouped to its right are a bit small and distant. Handy audio unit to right of steering wheel suffers from all-button controls, some quite small. Below it are simple climate controls. Assembly, cabin materials in line with modest pricing, but cloth upholstery surprisingly classy.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Large, round dashtop gauge cluster is slightly right of driver but easy to read. Warning lights grouped to its right are a bit small and distant. Handy audio unit to right of steering wheel suffers from all-button controls, some quite small. Below it are simple climate controls. Assembly, cabin materials in line with modest pricing, but cloth upholstery surprisingly classy.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Driver sits higher than in most small cars and enjoys excellent visibility, but taller ones may feel they're in a minivan due to modest seat travel and limited steering-wheel tilt. Still, there's adult-size leg room, plus near top hat head clearance from tall body. Seats firm, well-shaped, but cushions a bit short for best leg support.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 5 |
Driver sits higher than in most small cars and enjoys excellent visibility, but taller ones may feel they're in a minivan due to modest seat travel and limited steering-wheel tilt. Still, there's adult-size leg room, plus near top hat head clearance from tall body. Seats firm, well-shaped, but cushions a bit short for best leg support.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Head room generous here, too, as is leg space even with front seats pushed far back. But rear bench too narrow for three adults, and cushion and backrests are short. No-strain entry/exit despite narrow floor passages.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 3.6 |
Head room generous here, too, as is leg space even with front seats pushed far back. But rear bench too narrow for three adults, and cushion and backrests are short. No-strain entry/exit despite narrow floor passages.
Cargo Room
Useful cubic cargo bay, but floor just 21 inches long behind rear seat, 52 inches with seatbacks folded. Cargo floor lifts for access to spare tire and an additional storage cubby. Back seat has no bins for small items, but front offers assorted slots and pockets, plus three cupholders.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 3.9 |
Useful cubic cargo bay, but floor just 21 inches long behind rear seat, 52 inches with seatbacks folded. Cargo floor lifts for access to spare tire and an additional storage cubby. Back seat has no bins for small items, but front offers assorted slots and pockets, plus three cupholders.
Value within Class
The xB melds hip-hop style with minivan practicality in a solid, pleasant little wagon bolstered by Toyota's reputation for reliability and high resale values. It's also priced right at around $13,700 to start, but be careful with the options or your xB could end up at over $18,000 like our test model.
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
The xB melds hip-hop style with minivan practicality in a solid, pleasant little wagon bolstered by Toyota's reputation for reliability and high resale values. It's also priced right at around $13,700 to start, but be careful with the options or your xB could end up at over $18,000 like our test model.
Total Score
| xB, man. | xB, auto. | Class Average |
| 55 | 55 | 48.6 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 48 | |
| High Score | 63 |
2005 Scion xB Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/09/2005
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 4-door wagon, manual | $13,730 | $13,043 | $515 |
|
|
|||
| Base 4-door wagon, automatic | $14,530 | $13,803 | $515 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes, antiskid system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, Pioneer AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, driver-side visor mirror, rear defogger, rear wiper.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, 185/60R15 tires, wheel covers.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Release Series 2.0
|
||
|
Base
|
$1,375
|
$1,293
|
|
Special interior and exterior trim, sport muffler, mirror-mounted turn signals, rear spoiler.
|
||
|
Preferred Accessory Pkg.
|
||
|
Base
|
$1,518
|
$1,096
|
|
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, silver-toned pedals, cargo mat, B-pillar applique, fog lights, rear spoiler, unique wheel covers.
|
||
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
|
||
|
Base
|
$395
|
$305
|
|
Satellite radio
|
||
|
Base
|
$449
|
$359
|
|
Requires monthly fee.
|
||
|
Bazooka tube subwoofer
|
||
|
Base
|
$429
|
$309
|
|
Cargo cover
|
||
|
Base
|
$55
|
$39
|
|
Cargo logic tote
|
||
|
Base
|
$40
|
$25
|
|
Cargo net
|
||
|
Base
|
$49
|
$34
|
|
Cupholder illumination
|
||
|
Base
|
$299
|
$199
|
|
Sport pedal covers
|
||
|
Base
|
$79
|
$49
|
|
Special shift knob
|
||
|
Base
|
$49
|
$31
|
|
LED interior lights
|
||
|
Base
|
$280
|
$200
|
|
Floormats
|
||
|
Base
|
$120
|
$83
|
|
Includes cargo mat.
|
||
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Bodyside graphics
|
||
|
Base
|
$224
|
$164
|
|
B-pillar applique
|
||
|
Base
|
$189
|
$129
|
|
Fog lights
|
||
|
Base
|
$350
|
$245
|
|
Rear bumper applique
|
||
|
Base
|
$58
|
$38
|
|
Rear spoiler
|
||
|
Base
|
$335
|
$235
|
|
Door sill enhancements
|
||
|
Base
|
$139
|
$89
|
|
Front strut tie bar
|
||
|
Base
|
$225
|
$159
|
|
Security system
|
||
|
Base
|
$469
|
$339
|
|
Wheel locks
|
||
|
Base
|
$59
|
$37
|
|
Alloy wheels
|
||
|
Base
|
$665
|
$459
|
|
|
||
2005 Scion xB Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Scion xB 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 155.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2395 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 21.2 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 46.1 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 45.3 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 45.7 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 38.0 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 1.5 /91 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 108 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 105 @ 4200 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 31/34 |
| 4-speed automatic | 31/35 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Scion xB 4-door wagon |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | --/-- | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | --/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
|
Tester's Comments
|
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 |
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Major Options: Pioneer AM/FM 6-Disc CD Player, Bazooka Mobile Tube Subwoofer, Cup Holder Illumination, Floor Mats/Cargo Mat, Fog Lights, LED Light Enhancements, Sport Pedal Covers, Body Side Graphic, Rear Spoiler Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 26.33 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Rick Cotta xB was reasonably entertaining, though I think I'd enjoy a stick better. And Honda Element owners love you because they no longer drive the ugliest car on the road. But once the newness wares off--and over-sticker prices drop--I can see this being purchased by (gasp) middle-agers looking for a versatile, economical second car. And I don't mean for their kids, who I think will quickly shun it for The Next Big Thing. |
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Also in the 2005 Scion xB Review:
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