“The 2008 Scion xB
is a good choice for urban dwellers who need a smaller vehicle for easy parking
and maneuverability yet need decent fuel efficiency, more cargo space than the
typical small car, and a back seat comfortable enough for adults.” (from
Chrome via Vehix.com)
“After
being introduced just four years ago, the boxy Scion xB has been totally
redesigned for 2008. Scion says that owners wanted their xBs to be bigger.
Since it takes three years to produce a new car, the requests to expand the box
must have started coming early.
The
new xB is indeed a bigger box, but it doesn't look so much like a box any more.
And it isn't, as the increased length reduces the squareness. The styling is
considerably improved. Plastic surgery on the chin has made a huge difference,
and the other edges and angles are much softer, making the xB more attractive
and less funny looking.”
“The
new xB is 12 inches longer, on a wheelbase that's just 4 inches longer; this
means bigger overhangs, which goes against the trend, as most new vehicles
increase the wheelbase more than the length, efficient packaging that increases
stability. The xB is 2.8 inches wider, though, and that adds stability. And the
wheels have been increased in size to 16 inches, allowing larger disc brakes,
front and rear. The xB's brakes are very good.”
“The
xB features electric power steering, which does away with belts, pulleys and
fluid. It's quite nimble and fun to drive around town.”
“The
bigger box provides an increase in cargo capacity, but 4.6 inches of legroom
has been lost in the front seat, from 45.3 inches down to 40.7; in the rear,
the legroom remains the same. So if Scion redesigned the xB to satisfy
customers, it must have been those buyers who use the xB as cute little utility
vans, not those who carry passengers. The front seats recline almost fully, and
the 60/40 rear seats drop flat with one easy pull of a lever.”
“Not
visible, but just as significant, is the whopping 50 percent increase in power.
The xB now uses the same 2.4-liter engine that powers the quick tC Coupe. It
makes 155 horsepower, an increase of no less than 55 over the 1.5-liter engine
in the 2004-2007 xB. The engine employs all of Toyota's considerable variable
valve timing technology (VVT-i), and gets 22/28 miles per gallon, at the EPA's
ULEV-II (ultra-low) emissions ratings. The old xB got 30/34, but comparisons
are difficult to make because the 2.4-liter engine has so much more horsepower,
and because now the mileage is measured by the new 2008 EPA standards, which
are more realistic than before.
Two
transmissions are available, a four-speed automatic with manual shifting, and a
five-speed manual. The automatic shifts well, but with only four speeds it
kicks down a lot, especially from fourth to third. The xB would be smoother
with a five-speed automatic, but
that's not available.”
Equipment: (from JDPower.com via Vehix.com)
“Standard equipment on the xB
includes charcoal fabric interior, air conditioning, cruise control,
information display, 160-watt Pioneer audio system with iPod and auxiliary
connection, tilt steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry,
power side mirrors with turn signal indicators, power windows, and door locks,
halogen headlamps, tinted glass, 16-inch steel wheels with wheelcovers.”
For more
information about equipment, see MSN Autos.
“Standard safety features on the 2008 Scion xB
include driver and front passenger dual-stage air bags, front seat-mounted air
bags, and side curtain air bags designed to protect front and rear passengers.
Active safety features include standard 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) and a first aid kit are
also standard on all models. The 2008 Scion xB has been crash tested by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); it received a “good” rating—the
highest rating the institute awards—in the frontal offset test.”
For more information about safety, see MSN Autos.
“The standard audio system in the 2008 Scion xB is
a 6-speaker, 160-watt, Pioneer
AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA player with iPod connectivity
and Scion Sound Processing (SSP). The head unit integrates track, artist
information and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the
stereo’s front screen. Scion adds standard rear head outputs for additional
external amplifiers. For further customization, an optional upgraded sound
system adds the ability to download “skins” to play on the LCD faceplate.”
Reviews on YouTube:
No comments:
Post a Comment