2005 Scion xB review from North America

Mechanically, this car has been very sound. I have had no problems whatsoever.

My driver's seat has worn quickly.

The paint is very soft. My beautiful car already has a ton of small scratches. It doesn't help that it's a dark color, either.

Rear wiper is beyond useless. I have since removed it and shaved the hatch for a cleaner look. Rain-X seems to work better anyway.

The Scion xB is a practical, right-minded car for those on a tight budget looking for great gas mileage, ample storage room, and trendy looks.

Headroom and legroom are abundant in the xB's spacious cabin. I have thrown 6'5'' people in the back without adjusting my driver's seat, and having them ask me if I've got enough room. Also, the back seats fold down and treat the driver to a fantastic amount of room to haul items (I have thrown a love seat back there), or a place to sleep on road trips. The stock stereo is great, boasting six speakers. The gauges are in the center of the dash, which takes some getting used to, but offers a much better view of the road. Visibility in this car is excellent.

Performance is average for an economy car, in its unmodified form. There is noticeable body roll and under-steer, but the addition of lowering springs, a strut tower bar, and a rear sway-bar have made my car feel much more connected to the road. I have also added a cold air intake, header and exhaust to make the car a little more zippy around town. Gas mileage is still great, averaging about 28mpg city/32mpg highway with the air conditioning blasted all the time.

The exterior is funky, boxy and clean. Love it or hate it, it is what it is. Personally, I love it and that's what has drawn me to the car. However, I wish it came with bigger wheels. The stock 15s look mighty small on this car.

In short, the Scion xB is the anti-car. It's such a far departure from what's typically sold in America, but I think that's why people are drawn to it. Some people are tired of seeing massive, wasteful SUVs dominating our roadways. The Scion xB offers a similar amount of utility for a fraction of the operating cost.