The boxy little Scion xB won't appeal to everyone, but it has a lot to offer--and at a great price. Targeted to the younger crowd, Toyota's new Scion brand gives buyers the opportunity to tack on a whole host of options and still drive home in an affordable vehicle.
The manufacturer launched the Scion brand in California first, taking several months to discover what does and doesn't work at the dealership level and with customers.
In February of 2004 the vehicles became available in about half of the states in the US.
The base price of an xB with a manual transmission is $13,680, while a model equipped with an automatic is $14,480. And even at that price, the xB has the top quality you expect to see in a Toyota product.
It's not a sport utility vehicle, but the xB resembles a miniature SUV, complete with an ample cargo area. And the fuel economy rating is easier on your wallet, because the xB with a manual transmission rates at 31/34 mpg for city/highway usage. The automatic is about the same, rated at 31/35.
The only way to know for sure how you feel about the new brand is to go out and drive a vehicle. Take a look to see if they're available in your area.
2004 xB STANDARD FEATURES
- 60/40-split folding and removable rear seat
- Air conditioning
- Amber instrument panel illumination
- Cargo area under-floor storage
- Center console
- Choice of three wheel cover designs
- Chrome exhaust tip
- Digital clock
- Driver's sunvisor with mirror
- Driver & front passenger dual stage airbags SRS
- Exterior ground effects kit that includes front air dam, rocker panel extensions and rear valence panel
- Fender-mounted turn indicators
- First-aid kit
- Four-wheel Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist
- Front sport bucket seats with fabric upholstery
- Headrests and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions
- Intermittent front wiper
- Multi-reflector halogen headlamps
- Pioneer 160-watt AM/FM/CD head unit (MP3 and satellite-tuner capable) with six speakers and Scion Sound Processing
- Power door locks with remote keyless entry
- Power outside mirrors
- Power windows with one-touch auto down on driver's side
- Rear glass-mounted antenna
- Rear privacy glass
- Rear window defogger
- Rear wiper
- Tachometer and trip meter
- Tilt steering wheel
- Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control
2004 xB OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- Alloy wheels
- Body side graphics (choice of logo, dots or print)
- Carbon fiber B-pillar appliqué by Superior Dash
- Carbon fiber fuel door appliqué by Superior Dash
- Carbon fiber shift knob (manual transmission models only; choice of red, blue, smoke or chrome) by OBX Racing Sports
- Cargo cover, liner & net
- Cargo tote by Nifty Products
- Carpeted floor mats with cargo area mat
- Clear tail lamp lens by TYC
- Cold air induction system by AEM
- Cupholder illumination
- Door sill enhancements by ACSCO
- Exhaust tip by Valor
- Fog lamps
- Front strut tower brace by Hotchkis
- Front-end mask
- Instrument panel appliqué by Superior Dash
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel in red or gray
- LED interior light kit by Luxaura
- License plate frames by Grenada
- Pioneer AM/FM/6-CD Changer with 10-color change illumination
- Rear bumper appliqué
- Rear spoiler
- Removable roof rack by Yakima
- Satellite tuner and auxiliary antenna
- Scion security
- Sport pedals by OBX Racing Sports
- Subwoofer by Bazooka Mobile Audio
- Tail lamp garnish by Superior Dash
- Wheel locks
- Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Sport Parts:
- 18- or 19-inch Racing Hart "Evolution" wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires
- Lowering springs kit
- Strut/shock set
- Sport muffler
- Performance clutch
- Quick shift kit
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- Front strut brace