The Scion xB is a vehicle made by Toyota for the United States market and sold under their youth-oriented Scion brand. It is a box-shaped, 5-door compact hatchback.
The first-generation xB was a lightly modified and rebadged version of the Japanese-market subcompact Toyota bB. It was a small station wagon based on the Toyota Echo/Yaris platform. The xB was one of two models in the lineup of Toyota's US-exclusive Scion division present at the brand's 2004 launch, the other being the xA, based on the Toyota ist.
First generation xB vs. first generation bB
Only the first generation models for both the xB and bB are related. Second generation models are based upon different platforms.
To create the first generation xB, the bB was modified from right- to left-hand drive, the front passenger area was also changed significantly with the bB's front bench seat replaced with bucket seats and the column-mounted shifter changed to a floor-mounted shifter.
The available drivetrains also differed. The bB was available with either the 1.3 L I4 2NZ-FE engine or the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE, mated exclusively to a 4-speed automatic transmission with available all wheel drive. The xB was only available with the 1NZ-FE that produced 108 hp (81 kW) and 105 lb·ft (142 N·m) in US spec, but offered both a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive was not offered on the xB.
The Toyota bB was not equipped with a spare tire. On the Scion xB, a compact spare tire was stored under the left side of a raised rear cargo floor. Since the spare tire raised the cargo floor by several inches, a storage bin was added to the right of the spare tire to reclaim some of the lost storage space. A jack was stored under the driver's seat of the xB.
The Toyota bB had a pull-out storage tray under the passenger seat that the xB lacks.
The bB went on sale in February 2000, whereas the xB went on sale in June 2003 for the 2004 model year. Sales of the first generation bB ended in December 2005, whereas the first generation xB ended sales in June 2007.
The Scion xB received a "Good" overall score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset test, all measured categories in this test were also rated "Good". The xB was given a "Poor" overall score in the side impact test. The xB model year 2004-2006 did not offer side airbags but includes them for model year 2008–present.
The second-generation Scion xB is styled as a 5-door version of the t2B concept unveiled at the 2006 New York Auto Show. Toyota unveiled the production xB at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. The new xB is less boxy in shape and larger than its predecessor. The 2008 xB is 2.8-inch (71 mm) wider, 12-inch (300 mm) longer (including 4-inch (100 mm) longer wheel to wheel) and over 600 pounds (270 kg) heavier than the first-generation xB.
The first-generation Scion xB was very similar to its original bB inspiration, but the second-generation xB was based on American buyers "wants" relative to the first-generation, combined with the new styling of the 2005 bB.
Scion t2B (2005)
Scion t2B (Tall-Two Box) is a concept car designed by Calty Design Research and built by Five Axis Models in Huntington Beach, California, with interior design by Calty senior designer Bill Chergosky and Naoki Hamajima. It included a 2.4-liter I4 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 14-inch brakes with slotted rotors, 20-inch billet aluminium wheels, LED fog lamp, remotely operated power rear hatch, asymmetrical tri-level instrument panel features a large information ticker, mp3 docking station, dual moonroof, suicide doors.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2005 New York Auto Show.
Engines
The second-generation xB is equipped with a 2.4 L straight-4 Toyota 2AZ-FE engine rated at 158 hp (118 kW) and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m), shared with the first-generation tC and the Toyota Camry, which at 22 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg-imp) city / 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp) hwy has a higher fuel consumption than the previous model's 1.5 L engine (26 mpg-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) city / 31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp) hwy).
Transmissions
A five-speed manual and a sequential-shift four-speed automatic are the only factory options aside from the color and stereo.
Equipment
A choice of three new head units are available on all 2008 Scions. All sound systems feature six speakers and standard iPod connectivity. The base head unit has MP3, WMA, and AAC CD compatibility and Scion's SSP equalizer presets. The base unit can also be set to any of three Scion model presets (xB, xD, or tC) and includes an "Automatic Sound Levelizer" feature that automatically increases the volume as the vehicle speed and ambient noise increases. The Premium head unit features a small LCD that can display pictures and movies downloaded from Pioneer's website in addition to the features on the base unit. A navigation system is also available. The SNS 100 system can play DVD movies in addition to GPS functionality and the features of the base system, aside from the backlit color choices.
All xB's come standard with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, Vehicle Stability Control driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and a first-aid kit.
The Scion xB is given an overall "Good" score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal offset crash test. And another "Good" overall score in the side impact crash test, with all nine measured categories also rated "Good". And a "Good" score in the roof strength test. The IIHS has given the xB its Top Safety Pick award.
Car and Driver magazine rated the 2008 xB as one of the top ten safe vehicles under US$25,000.
Scion announced in March 2010 that the 2011 model, on sale late March 2010, is being given a refresh. Two new colors are available, and there are minor changes to the exterior body including a revised front and rear bumper, new front grill, and new headlights and tail lights. The interior changes include a revised gauge cluster, center console and new driver and front passenger seats with new materials. The MSRP rises US$150 to US$16,000 for the manual and US$16,950 for the automatic transmission. In addition, the Scion xB went on sale in Canada for the first time along with the entire Scion lineup.
The Scion xB is produced by Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. based in Japan. Due to the 2011 Japanese Earthquake, production has been suspended starting 14 March 2011. The Scion xB and Scion xD are both halting production until further notice. Plants affected by the disaster include the Toyota Motor Hokkaido Plant, the Toyota Motor Tohoku Plant, and the Central Motor Corporation Miyagi Plant, which produces the Toyota Yaris.
The Scion xB's marketing is aimed at Generation Y, Americans born between 1980 and 1994. This group of car buyers is extremely important to manufacturers due to their large numbers (78 million) and their differing perceptions and demands of the vehicles they drive. Despite the Scion xB's target market, the average age of an xB buyer is 46.
Although Toyota expected the xA to sell better than the xB, the reverse proved to be true, with the xB outselling its brother 2 to 1, possibly due to the xB's distinctive styling, and the xB's unique combination of van-like cargo and passenger space with a very compact size. The latter features appealed to buyers outside the target demographic who were looking for a thrifty but roomy vehicle as a substitute for a more mainstream minivan.
The xB, like the xA and tC, was also available in a "Release Series" for each of its model years. These came with limited-edition paint colors, matching seat colors, and special modifications such as DVD players, custom tail lights, special wheels or wheel covers, and other accessories, along with special badging indicating the serial number. Limited Edition vehicles were, from a marketing standpoint, used to create a buzz for the brand name, with their exterior colors tending toward loud or bright hues (i.e. orange, yellow, red, blue, green). Preordering is available at each dealership on a first-come, first-served basis.[citation needed] Scion's "Pure Price" program requires dealerships to sell the vehicle at the advertised price. Resale values of Release Series vehicles command a premium because of their packaged options and scarcity.
2004 model year
xB RS 1.0 only available in Hot Lava Orange with 2100 units produced (504 units w/5spd, 1596 units w/automatic)
2005 model year
xB RS 2.0 only available in Solar Yellow with 2500 units produced
2006 model year
xB RS 3.0 only available in Envy Green with 2200 units produced
xB RS 4.0 only available in Maziora Torched Penny (polarized goldish-brown) with 2500 units produced)
2008 model year
xB RS 5.0 only available in Gold Rush Mica with 2500 units produced (second RS Scion other than the tC to have a sunroof)
2009 model year
xB RS 6.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2500 units produced
2010 model year
xB RS 7.0 with a four-piece DAMD body kit, only available in Murasaki (purple), with 2000 units produced
2011 model year
xB RS 8.0 with a four-piece Kenstyle body kit, only available in Voodoo Blue, with 2000 units produced
