Picked up my new Scion xB

So I picked up my new Scion xB on Monday at Wietzes Scion. It is always exciting to get a new car, and this was no exception.

As mentioned in a previous post, I added a number of upgrades including the TRD lowering springs, rear sway bar and front strut tower. After driving it a few days I have to say those upgrades were money well spent. The car's suspension feels firmer than the stock suspension, but not uncomfortably so. Through the corners, though, the car is noticeably flatter, with very little body roll.

Here's a photo that clearly shows the springs and rear sway bar (the red parts in the photo). You can also clearly see the shiny new TRD muffler. It won't stay that shiny for long.

Can't wait to get some rims on it!

My New Scion xB

Time to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak. I have been so impressed with the Scions that I have had the opportunity to test drive, that I have purchased one for myself. On Monday I'll be picking up a 2011 Scion xB from Wietzes Scion.

I have chosen to get it in Sizzling Crimson Mica. There are not many factory options choose from - basically pick your colour and transmission. I believe the leather interior is also a factory option. I passed on the the leather, since it would add about 10% to the cost of the car. For the transmission I of course went with the manual option.
I couldn't leave it at that though. I have added several TRD performance parts, including:

• TRD Lowering Springs
• TRD Rear Sway Bar
• TRD Front Strut Tower
• TRD Quick Shifter
• TRD Exhaust
• TRD Air Filter

All the upgrades should result in a more enjoyable ride.

[Photos Source: www.scionnation.ca]

Scion xB RS 8.0 has arrived... in the States

Sciclonic.com  reports (Read their post here) that the 2011 Scion xB Release Series 8.0 has started to arrive at dealerships.  Scion apparently puts out a special edition car at the rate of approximately one per year.  For 2011 it is the xB Release Series 8.0, and it features the following:

Source: Autoblog.com

• Voodoo Blue paint job
• revised, more aggreesive body kit
• RS 8.0 logos and numbered badge
• power tilt'n'slide moonroof
• optional painted rear spoiler

Really, the only exclusive features are the colour and sunroof.  The sunroof is not available in any other xB model.  Seems to me that the roof would be a nice addition.

Will Canada get a special edition in the future? Probably. Soon? Probably not.  Special editions are usually used to drum up some excitement and media coverage.  Scion is only a few months old in Canada, so there really is no need to try and drive up sales with a special edition.  I would expect that they will eventually arrive in Canada.  Maybe sooner than I think?

[Sources: Sciclonic.com, Autoblog.com]

My Scion Test Drive!

OK, so back to my first post in this blog.  This all got started when I spotted a Facebook posting by Scion Canada - 

Hmmm, an opportunity to "lend" me a Scion?  Sounded like it was a little more substantial than a 15 minute test drive.  Sure, maybe I'm not a trendsetter (I mean what kind of trend could I be at the forefront of??) - after all, Scion is aiming at Gen Y - but I figured it was worth a shot.


So I fired off an e-mail -

Much to my surprise I received a reply.  Scion Canada was starting up their grassroots marketing campaign.  They sent an information package, including an outline of the program and their requirements - 

Basically, all I need to do is Twitter, Facebook, talk to friends - that type of thing - and they'd lend me an xB.  Very cool!  So I filled out the waiver - 

So the good news is that I'm picking up an xB later this week to drive for a few days!  What a great opportunity!  I have been thinking about purchasing an xB and this will be an excellent way to feel it out.  I'll be using this blog to update you, posting photos, video and providing my impressions of the xB.


Many thanks to Scion Canada and Beyond Marketing Group for this opportunity.

Wheels.ca Review

I see the The Star - Wheels.ca - just posted a review of the xB.

...But I was fascinated with the boxy xB, which — though apparently inspired by the Toyota Corolla — looks like a cross between an old Austin 7 and a toaster.

I'm not familiar with the style of the Austin 7, so I had to look it up.

Ha, good reference.  Anyway, read the full review here.


Interesting fact:

The fact is, despite all that marketing, the xB appeals to an older crowd. The model’s average buyer is in his or her 40s, much older than Scion’s overall average of 36. In comparison, Toyota’s average buyer is 55.

Guess that makes the xB just about perfect for me ;-).  I'm a bit younger than the average xB buyer, and a bit older than the average Scion buyer.

Comparing the xB

OK, so I didn't have to look too hard to find some comparisons of the xB.  In my last post I mentioned wanting to check out the dimensions of the xB.  MotorTrend did a comparison of the 2009 Scion xB, 2010 Kia Soul and 2009 Nissan Cube (see the article here).  Just from my own observations it seems to me the Cube is smaller in every dimension and the Soul seemed shorter and taller.  Well, I wasn't quite right.  Here are the overall dimensions for each of those cars (from the MotorTrend article's stats page):   


(numbers in RED are the highest, numbers in BLUE are the smallest)

• 2009 Scion xB
• Length = 167.3"
• Width = 69.3"
• Height = 64.7"
•  2010 Kia Soul
• Length = 161.6"
• Width = 70.3"
• Height = 63.4"
• 2009 Nissan Cube
• Length = 156.7"
• Width = 66.7"
• Height = 65.0"

2010 Kia Soul

2009 Nissan Cube

So, as it turns out, the Cube is the shortest and narrowest of the bunch, as well as the tallest.  In fact, given the closeness of it's width and height dimensions it is almost an actual square.

The xB is the longest car of the group, by almost 6 inches.  It's probably the main reason why the xB seems larger than the other two.

I think I still need to compare the xB to some other cars on the road, such as its chassis-mates the Corolla and Matrix.  Maybe a couple of other smaller cars, just for fun.

Spotted: xB

Spotted my first xB on the street.  Happened yesterday - December 2nd, around 11:30am - outside of Vaughan Mills.  It was Army Rock Metallic in colour.


It looked smaller than I remember, when I last saw one at Wietzes Scion.  I'll have to put together a comparison with some other vehicles.  Watch for that coming up.

Source: Scionnation.ca

xB Review from Kelley Blue Book

Here's a video review of the Scion xB from Kelley Blue Book (via YouTube)

There are some differences between the model year reviewed in the video and the 2011 Scion xB.  Most obvious is the upper grill on the front of the car - much smaller on the 2011.  Also, the steering column receives the ability to telescope, which should make it easier for a wider range of drivers to find a comfortable driving position.

Here's a bit of video of the xB in action, from JapaneseSportCars.com (via YouTube).

Review of the 2011 Scion xB

Here's a brief review from Edmunds.com:

2011 scion xb review

The Scion xB started life dripping with hipster cool. It was a box among curves, a fashionable rebellion from the norm if there ever was one in the automotive world. Driving an xB was like wearing skinny jeans, wrapping a scarf around your neck in the middle of summer and donning a thin-brimmed fedora.Yet just as those fashion trends will inevitably lose their cool, so to speak, the 2011 Scion xB has lost some of its hipster image to time, familiarity and a second generation that sacrificed some funk for functionality. 

But just because something’s a fading trend doesn’t mean it’s not without merit. That boxy shape may not be as unique as it once was thanks to copycats like the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul, but being shaped like a box has other advantages. For one, the xB boasts more maximum cargo space than most rivals and even some midsize SUVs. Passenger space is just as impressive — there’s enough headroom for you to don that fedora, and the backseat is so spacious relative to the exterior proportions that cab companies in Chicago have added xBs to their fleets. For 2011, a new telescoping steering wheel makes finding a comfortable seating position easier for taller drivers.

Despite losing some of its cool vibe, Scion hasn’t abandoned its goal of trying to stay ahead of the game in those areas that matter most to young buyers. The main way to do that: audio systems. Standard on every xB is a six-speaker Pioneer sound system with an iPod interface, a regular auxiliary audio jack, an RCA output for additional speakers and a customizable head unit display. An upgraded system from Alpine adds a touchscreen interface and a knob that mimics an iPod’s controls, while a “media expander” improves digital music quality. 

The main drawback to the 2011 Scion xB is its fuel economy. Though surprisingly punchy, the 158-horsepower four-cylinder achieves the same or worse fuel economy as crossovers like the Chevy Equinox and Toyota RAV4. The xB is cheaper to begin with and offers similar interior space, so we think it’s still a smart alternative to those popular family vehicles. Of course, it’s a safe bet the Scion xB was never meant to be mentioned in the same sentence as “family vehicle.” For those who shudder at those words and proudly wear that scarf in July, the xB still has undeniable appeal.

Source:  Edmunds.com

History of Scion

Those of you who know me know that I am a hardcore Toyota enthusiast.  You may be wondering why I would be considering a Scion.  Well, Scions are Toyotas.  Some of the models are branded as Toyotas in their home market.  For example, the Scion xB is the Toyota xB in Japan (or used to be, anyway).

One of the great things about the Scion xB is that it is manufactured in Japan.  I've owned Toyotas that have been built both in Japan and Canada (had a 2001 Solara built in Cambridge).  I must say, the Canadian -built cars are of a high quality, I've just found the Japanese-built ones seem a little tighter.  Maybe it's just me.  So the fact that the xB is manufactured in Japan is a huge plus in my mind.

The Scion xB is actually manufactured by Kanto Auto Works, of which Toyota owns 51%.  I believe this is the same company that built the Celica, and I love my Celica.  Good quality stuff coming from these guys!

Anyway, as promised, here is a brief history of Scion from Wikipedia:

Scion is a marque of vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Corporation for the North American market. Founded in 2002, Scion's long-term goal is to appeal to Generation Y consumers. The first Scion models, the xA hatchback and xB wagon, went on sale in California in 2003,[1]followed by a sports coupe, the tC, and a nationwide U.S. launch in 2004.[1] A successor to the xA, the xD,[2] premiered in 2008, and the Scion marque expanded to Canada in 2010. The Scion lineup uses a one-trim, simplified purchase process,[2] and the marque has relied upon guerrilla and viral marketing techniques. The Scion name, meaning the descendant of a family or heir, refers both to the marque's cars and their owners.

Looking for a Scion xB

I have recently started thinking about buying a Scion.  A Scion xB to be precise.  What is a Scion xB?


Scion is new to Canada, but have been in the US for a number of years.  I'll post a brief history of Scion later.  The model I am looking at is called the xB. Here's a photo off the Scionnation.ca website - 

Source: www.Scionnation.ca

Check out their website:  www.scionnation.ca

It all started when I spotted the following post on Facebook:

Could it be true?  They would "lend" me Scion?  Wonder what this could be.