2006 Scion xB Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Toyota's youth-oriented brand extends the 2006 version of its boxy hatchback into the 2007 model year. Scion says a replacement for xB is due in calendar 2007 as a 2008 model. The xB shares a front-wheel-drive platform with Scion's xA hatchback. Both seat five, but the xB has a taller body with a rear liftgate. The only engine is a 103-hp 4-cyl with a choice of manual and optional automatic transmissions. ABS and an antiskid system are standard. Side airbags are unavailable. Scions are sold through Toyota dealers, which carry numerous factory-approved accessories, including larger alloy wheels to replace the xB's standard 15-inch steel wheels. An available CD audio system includes a plug-in for most digital media players.

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 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta.

News

Sources say Toyota is working up a bigger but still boxy new xB for a 2008-model debut. A possible template is the 2005 t2B concept, which resembles a cross between Honda Element and Toyota FJ Cruiser. Spy photos of jury-rigged prototypes suggest the new model will be somewhat longer than today's xB. It's also likely to be wider and taller to accommodate some cool "recreational" features inside. There's talk of using Toyota's European Avensis sedan platform, which now supports the Scion tC coupe and would bring a larger engine with more performance. If all this proves out, Scion would have a bigger box than archrival Nissan, which is expected to bring in a new version of its aptly named Cube compact wagon for 2008 or '09.

2006 Scion xB Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Acceleration

Passenger room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
4	3	4.4

Styling, not speeding, is the xB's mission. Even with slick-shifting manual transmission, test xB did a lazy 9.8 sec 0-60 mph. Even sleepier with automatic: only adequate around town, weak for merging, passing.

Fuel Economy

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Manual-transmission xB averaged 24.6 mpg in test that included gas-eating performance runs. Test automatic version averaged 26.3 mpg in city/highway driving.

Ride Quality

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.9

Jiggly but not uncomfortable on fast freeways, though some bucking over sharp bumps, big humps. Hard and thumpy with dealer-available upsized wheels and/or firmer suspension components.

Steering/Handling/Braking

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Stable feel, moderate body lean in tight, fast corners. Standard antiskid system a plus, but 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 simulated panic-stop test showed fairly long distances.

Quietness

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.2

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 bluff box of a body.

Controls

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	6	5.9

Large, round dashtop gauge cluster is slightly right of driver, but easy to read. Warning lights grouped to its right a bit small and distant. Audio unit to right of steering wheel with climate panel below; all have large, simple controls. Assembly, cabin materials in line with modest prices, but cloth upholstery surprisingly classy. Available LED cabin accent lights typical of xB's "rolling nightclub" aspirations.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	7	5.5

Drivers sit higher than in most small cars and enjoy excellent visibility. Some may wish for more seat travel and steering-wheel tilt, but tall body provides near top-hat head clearance, adult-size leg room. Seats firm, well-shaped, though cushions a bit short for best thigh support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	7	3.9

Head room generous here, too, as is leg space even with front seats pushed far back. But rear bench too narrow for three adults, too short in cushion and backrest. No-strain entry/exit, despite narrow floor passages.

Cargo Room

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.7

Usefully 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 hidden storage cubby. Rear seat has no bins for small-item storage, but front offers assorted slots and pockets, plus three cupholders.

Value within Class

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.2

The xB melds hip-hop style with box-on-wheels practicality in a solid, pleasant little wagon. It's also priced right at around $14,000 to start. But watch those options or your xB could end up over $18,000 like one of our test examples.

Total Score

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
57	56	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64

2006 Scion xB Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 01/10/2007

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon, manual	$14,030	$13,328	$580

Base 4-door wagon, automatic	$14,830	$14,088	$580

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, remote keyless entry, 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 4.0
Base	$1,980	$1,861
Cargo mat, additional interior lights, unique exterior and interior trim, rear spoiler.

Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Base	$260	$183
Includes iPod connection.

Satellite radio
Base	$449	$359


Bazooka tube subwoofer
Base	$429	$309


Cargo cover
Base	$55	$39


Cargo logic tote
Base	$40	$25


Cargo net
Base	$49	$34


Sport pedal covers
Base	$79	$49


Special shift knob
Base	$49	$31


LED interior light enhancements
Base	$275	$185


Floormats
Base	$120	$83
Includes cargo mat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
B-pillar applique
Base	$189	$129


Fog lights
Base	$350	$245


Rear bumper applique
Base	$58	$38


Rear spoiler
Base	$385	$285


Door sill enhancements
Base	$139	$89


Security system
Base	$469	$339


Wheel locks
Base	$59	$37


Alloy wheels
Base	$665	$459


18-inch wheels
Base	$1,999	$1,661

2006 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.	2415

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	43.4

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.	103 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	101 @ 4200

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	30/33

4-speed automatic	30/34

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

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

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

< 2006 Scion xB Photos

Also in the 2006 Scion xB Review:

Scion xB

Scion xB Road Test

Scion xB Prices & Equipment

Scion xB Specs & Safety

Scion xB Photos

Scion xB Full Review

All Scion xBs

All Scions