Sacramento, California – Remember the newly introduced 2004 Scion xB?
Sure you do. But you might remember it better by its unofficial title: The rolling toaster.
Yes, that’s exactly what it looked like. With silver paint, it looked ready to turn four raft-size slices of bread into crusty brown goodness in a mere minute.
The funky, yet incredibly functional xB is still around, but those hard toaster edges have been softened into more-rounded corners. The look is still boxy, but the 2010 xB is more long, low wagon than saucy beach vehicle taken to land.
It remains one of my favorites. If I had to buy a car tomorrow, I’d probably get an xB.
This came as a shock to my family, which wondered why, after the hundreds of cars I’ve tested over the years, I’d want a $15,000-ish vehicle that looked like the love child of a crossover SUV and a station wagon.
The answer is simple: Affordable, functional, versatile and uncomplicated.
What more can you ask of a vehicle beyond reliable motoring, plentiful space to carry passengers and cargo and enough safety, comfort and convenience features to make one smile? … And don’t forget a sticker that won’t make your heart skip a couple beats.
By the way, the guy who delivered my tester xB confessed to me that the xB was a guilty pleasure … Don’t worry pal, I won’t tell your family.
The tested 2010 Scion xB 5-door with an automatic transmission had a bottom line of $23,538, with a pretty ridiculous package of pricey extras. Frankly, I would have been totally content with all that came with the standard starting price of $16,700.
The starting fare gets you electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability control, traction control, air bags all around, locking retractors, tire air pressure-monitoring system, a first-aid kit, halogen headlamps, turn signal indicators in the exterior mirrors, a kickin’ Pioneer sound system, all the iPod/USB connectivity hookups and power door/locks/windows.
Impressed? You should be.
On the roll, the xB’s 16-valve, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine does its share of heavy lifting with 158 horsepower. Yes, it will scream at the top of a steep hill, but what do you want with 158 ponies? Gas mileage is 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
A sport-tuned MacPherson strut suspension on the front and torsion beam in the rear team for a surprisingly smooth, sedan-like ride. Nice work there.
Five passengers have room enough, but the vehicle is an absolutely roomy dream for a family of four. Long trips can be done in comfort. Some quick work with the 60/40 split, fold-flat rear seats turn the xB into a package hauler capable of handling what most of us carry from time to time.
What else? Oh, you might be able to steal a 2010 model from your Scion dealer because the redesigned-for-2011 xB recently rolled into dealerships.
The 2011 xB gets fresh styling inside and out, and pricing has been set at $16,000 with a manual gearbox and $16,950 for those who dislike a clutch.
How do you like your toast? Same way I feel about the xB: Well done.
Sure you do. But you might remember it better by its unofficial title: The rolling toaster.
Yes, that’s exactly what it looked like. With silver paint, it looked ready to turn four raft-size slices of bread into crusty brown goodness in a mere minute.
The funky, yet incredibly functional xB is still around, but those hard toaster edges have been softened into more-rounded corners. The look is still boxy, but the 2010 xB is more long, low wagon than saucy beach vehicle taken to land.
It remains one of my favorites. If I had to buy a car tomorrow, I’d probably get an xB.
This came as a shock to my family, which wondered why, after the hundreds of cars I’ve tested over the years, I’d want a $15,000-ish vehicle that looked like the love child of a crossover SUV and a station wagon.
The answer is simple: Affordable, functional, versatile and uncomplicated.
What more can you ask of a vehicle beyond reliable motoring, plentiful space to carry passengers and cargo and enough safety, comfort and convenience features to make one smile? … And don’t forget a sticker that won’t make your heart skip a couple beats.
By the way, the guy who delivered my tester xB confessed to me that the xB was a guilty pleasure … Don’t worry pal, I won’t tell your family.
The tested 2010 Scion xB 5-door with an automatic transmission had a bottom line of $23,538, with a pretty ridiculous package of pricey extras. Frankly, I would have been totally content with all that came with the standard starting price of $16,700.
The starting fare gets you electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability control, traction control, air bags all around, locking retractors, tire air pressure-monitoring system, a first-aid kit, halogen headlamps, turn signal indicators in the exterior mirrors, a kickin’ Pioneer sound system, all the iPod/USB connectivity hookups and power door/locks/windows.
Impressed? You should be.
On the roll, the xB’s 16-valve, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine does its share of heavy lifting with 158 horsepower. Yes, it will scream at the top of a steep hill, but what do you want with 158 ponies? Gas mileage is 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
A sport-tuned MacPherson strut suspension on the front and torsion beam in the rear team for a surprisingly smooth, sedan-like ride. Nice work there.
Five passengers have room enough, but the vehicle is an absolutely roomy dream for a family of four. Long trips can be done in comfort. Some quick work with the 60/40 split, fold-flat rear seats turn the xB into a package hauler capable of handling what most of us carry from time to time.
What else? Oh, you might be able to steal a 2010 model from your Scion dealer because the redesigned-for-2011 xB recently rolled into dealerships.
The 2011 xB gets fresh styling inside and out, and pricing has been set at $16,000 with a manual gearbox and $16,950 for those who dislike a clutch.
How do you like your toast? Same way I feel about the xB: Well done.
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