Overview & Reviews

Attracting the coveted 18-to-34-year-old age group is job one for Scion, the youth-oriented division of Toyota, and its xB wagon is the fashion centerpiece of the brand. Although the Scion xB has the body of a miniature delivery truck, even in its second generation this box still casts a distinctive silhouette.

We liked the first-generation xB for its distinctiveness; after all, it was little more than a rebadged version of a Japanese-market Toyota. Scion had the American market specifically in mind when it made the second-generation model bigger and more powerful, though some of the original's character was lost in the process. But overall, a new or used xB is a fine pick for a small and stylish wagon.

Current Scion xB
The Scion xB is offered in two trim levels: base and limited-production Release Series 10.0 (or RS 10.0). Standard features include air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a six-speaker Pioneer sound system (with a CD player, HD radio, an iPod/USB audio interface and an RCA output). The RS 10.0 adds unique exterior and interior trim, a rearview camera and wireless charging of applicable smartphones. Options are limited to transmission choice and dealer-installed items such as upgraded audio systems, a navigation system and different wheel designs.

Every xB sports a 2.4-liter inline-4 that produces 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy is disappointing, however, as it is similar to that of many compact SUVs.

Inside, the xB's boxy lines translate to a surprisingly roomy interior that allows you to transport three to four friends with no complaints from the backseat. It's so roomy that some cities even employ xBs as taxi cabs. When the time comes to haul stuff rather than people, the 60/40-split rear seats fold flat, revealing an impressive 70 cubic feet of space. That's actually bigger than many compact SUVs.

In road tests of the current xB, we found it feels fairly stable at highway speeds, although its slab-sided styling makes it vulnerable to crosswinds. The xB is responsive and confident at lower speeds, though over rough surfaces the ride can get a bit bumpy. We've never liked the centrally mounted primary gauges, but the climate controls couldn't be any easier to use and the standard touchscreen interface is fairly user-friendly – especially if you belong to Scion's younger, target demographic.

Used Scion xB Models
The present Scion xB was introduced for 2008, featuring larger dimensions and more power than the first generation. In its first two years, the steering wheel featured only a tilt adjustment, meaning taller drivers had an uncomfortable reach when driving. The later addition of a telescoping adjustment helped somewhat. Besides minor styling tweaks for 2013, the main difference points were the frequent changes, updates and additions to radio faceplates. The ones produced for 2010-'13 could be fairly complicated, but provided iPod control at a time when many other cars in its price range did not. Throughout the years there were also so-called "Release Series" models that featured special paint and interior trim.

The first-generation Scion xB was sold from 2004-'07. Initially it was sold only in California, and Scion gradually rolled it out to other big markets like Florida, New York and Texas. Nationwide sales began for the 2005 model year.

Standard equipment was better than average for a low-priced economy car, as every xB came with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, air-conditioning, an MP3-compatible CD player and power windows, mirrors and locks. Fifteen-inch steel wheels with your choice of plastic wheel covers were also standard, but you could get alloy wheels as a low-cost accessory. Side and head curtain airbags were optional.

The power source in every first-generation Scion xB was a 1.5-liter, inline-4-cylinder engine. In 2004 and '05, it was rated for 108 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque. For the 2006 model year, new SAE certification procedures dropped the ratings to 103 hp and 101 lb-ft, although actual performance was unchanged. We recommend sticking with the five-speed manual transmission if you can, as it gives this xB respectable point-and-shoot capability in freeway traffic. With the four-speed automatic, acceleration can be sluggish.

For the 2006 model year, the xB's stereo head unit was redesigned to incorporate an MP3 player jack. Additionally, dedicated iPod owners had the option of purchasing a specialized unit that allowed for player control and recharging through the xB's stereo controls. Other accessories included a subwoofer, satellite radio, sport pedals and shift knob, and for the truly bored, backlit footwells and cupholders (in a variety of colors). A limited-edition Release Series 3.0 package for 2006 even provided a rear entertainment system with dual 7-inch LCD screens mounted in the front headrests.

User Reviews:

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  owner - 2005 Scion XB
  By rBell - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Poorly made for a Toyota but thats why they didnt put the Toyota name on it.

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  What a Car! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Govind - January 19 - 7:40 pm

  The 2006 Scion xB provides a perfect combination of great gas mileage and space. SUV owners who dont switch to this are making a mistake!

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  Better Mileage Than Advertised - 2010 Scion XB
  By Shubunkin - January 14 - 10:33 pm

  Ive had the XB (Blackberry Crush) for about 3 weeks now, and driven around town as well as on 500 mile trip. With the 5 sp manual, I am getting 28-29 mpg regardless of city/hwy (disclaimer, I am older and dont do jackrabbit starts.) The car has a lot of pep, handles very well, and has much more comfortable seats than a lot of cars we considered. After a minivan the size seems small, but the interior is surprisingly spacious. We hesitated because the EPA mileage estimate is only 24 mpg, but my experience mirrors that of others who have had 28-30 mpg overall. We are very happy with the XB.

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  Fun reliable car that stands out - 2010 Scion XB
  By swany - January 11 - 6:30 pm

  Just bought the 2010 murasaki purple 7.0 series, its a great car. My wife has a 06 4.0 series and I always loved how nimble and tight the steering felt. I dont like that hers is an automatic I dont like the shift points. I prefer a manual gearbox anyways. The 06 xb has 64k miles and never had it in the shop for anything. So I bought myself one as well. Lots of performance parts to spruce the hp, and numerous aesthetic parts to make it your own.

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  Great family mover - 2009 Scion XB
  By toasterdriver - January 8 - 2:06 am

  I bought the xB as I was looking to upsize (2 growing kids) from a Nissan Sentra. I looked at the Dodge Caliber, Chevy HHR, Hyundai Sonata, and Volkswagen Jetta. Not only did the xB beat all of them on price and options, but it is a wonderfully fun yet practical car. The fit and finish were excellent. Standard options were unmatched. But the space , the inside is cavernous. The back seat passengers (my kids) have more room than I have seen in most SUVs, let alone cars. It has excellent power and pickup, even with the a/c on full blast. Even if you end up buying something else, this is a car you owe it to yourself to at least check out.

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  Great Multipurpose vehicle - 2006 Scion XB
  By lindelift394 - January 7 - 1:20 am

  This is a great vehicle for someone who needs a lot of room for a little bit of money. This car is fun to drive, the handling around turns is great, even on wet roads. Im a little over 6 tall and finding a comfortable car is hard for me, but the xB has plenty of foot and head room. Ive been getting about 33-34 mpg with it and thats important to me because I drive quite a bit. My only complaint so far would be that Scion shows as a standard feature the audio controls on the steering wheel and mine did not come with that.

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  Little Car that Could - 2008 Scion XB
  By JettAntonio - January 2 - 12:56 am

  Just bought my xB last week & Im very happy & impressed. This car almost has everything. Its big enough of to fit 5 full adults with still enough cargo space but not too big to park on a compact parking space. The MPG isnt so bad considering the trade off. The center speedometer takes awhile getting used to but its an a safety improvement. Its very ideal that side curtain airbags and VSC come standard. If you are shopping for a bigger car, give this car a try. Take it for a spin & decide for yourself. & if you do, we look forward to reading your reviews here.

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  hot lava - 2004 Scion XB
  By rkjones55 - December 24 - 6:46 am

  great car fun to drive.geat visibility could use a little power boost. tons of head and leg room

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  luv the xb - 2004 Scion XB
  By jade ivy - December 21 - 2:00 am

  the scion xb is afun car. at first i thought it was a funny looking car but then it grew on me. not only is it affordable, the gas mileage is excellent. maybe in the future it will have a little more horsepower, but other than that its a great car to own.

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  Needs more front leg room - 2006 Scion XB
  By TallSFMan - December 18 - 5:43 pm

  Its a great little car. That sums it up.