2011 SCION xB UTILITY COMPACT
The Open Road group at the Richmond Auto Mall is now offering the Scion brand, developed by Toyota specifically for the North American market. The first Scion products - the xA hatchback and xB utility compact - were launched in 2002/2003. It thus took several years for Toyota to move into Canada with Scion and our first products arrived in 2010. The main aim of Scion is to attract young buyers, but like all “youth market” vehicles that went before, they’ve proved to have wider appeal already. Incidentally, the name is pronounced “sigh-on” and not “sky-on.”
The Scion branding process was handled by a consultant in Los Angeles and much of the promotional activity has centered around so-called “guerrilla marketing” techniques and extensive use of the internet and other related methods of communication likely to get word out with younger buyers (Twitter and YouTube are widely used). The vehicles have sold strongly in the US and there’s no reason to suppose that the brand won’t eventually be a success in Canada. It’s interesting that Toyota is introducing a new nameplate when some rivals have been shedding them at regular intervals. For buyers, though, there’s nothing like having lots of choices in the marketplace - especially at the reasonable prices and low interest rates we’re experiencing right now.
The current Scion xB is the second-generation version. Interestingly, the earlier versions have been a fairly common sight in Canadian cities even though they were never officially imported. A fair number slipped over the border from the US, but now - at last - we can buy one locally.
If anything, the new xB is a little less radical in design than its predecessor. The first model with its low-slung stance and very boxy bodywork was a real head-turner until we all got used to it. In a sense, the new xB has “grown up” a little and while it still retains the chunky box-on-wheels look, it seems to have been subtly sculptured here and there. The xB is a very practical design thanks to its shape and is perhaps more suitable for “do anything” family applications than some of its rivals.
Power for this interesting little front-wheel drive Scion is provided by a fairly thrifty 2.4-litre 4-cylinder that generates a quite respectable (for this class of vehicle) 158-horsepower. Buyers can choose a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual and having tried both, I’d probably go for the auto option. With today’s automatic transmissions, there’s very little loss of power and shifts are very swift and “stepless.”
There’s only one trim level for the Scion xB (though leather seats are on offer), but the interior layout is intelligent and tasteful, without being luxurious in any way. The instruments are quite tiny and are ranged across the central part of the dash, but this is easy to get used to and the layout proved quite efficient. The dials can be scanned just by eye movement, so there’s no safety issue here. Three simple dials control heating/cooling, fan speed and air distribution. The good old three-dial HVAC system is still the best there is - I find myself driving luxury cars sometimes that call for pulling off the road to select a temperature change, such are their complexity. The controls in the xB can be operated without looking at them, even after very brief experience with the vehicle. The steering wheel is just the right diameter and the rim is grippy too, so from a tactile point of view, this Scion feels a lot sportier than it is. The steering wheel carries multi-functional controls, something normally found on more expensive products than this little Scion.
The impressive-looking sound system occupies a prominent spot on the upper console, befitting a vehicle that’s aiming at young buyers. The USB and auxiliary ports are located in a central armrest bin. Bluetooth capability is standard on Scion xBs. The rear seats fold down in 60/40 fashion and with them laid flat, there’s a cavernous amount of space back there. This should please family users as the vehicle can easily accommodate bulky sports gear, camping equipment and so on. The rear hatch swings nice and high, so tall users aren’t going to crack their heads every time they reach back there. The interior abounds in useful stowage bins and cubby holes so this is a great vehicle for long road trips.
Incidentally, this is a very easy vehicle to climb in and out of so older folk or people with lower back problems won’t encounter any grief at all. Both front and rear doors are nice and wide and the sills are low, thanks to that ground-hugging styling. Like the PT Cruiser, the xB is likely to attract more than its expected share of older buyers, empty-nesters and the like. It’s comfortable inside too, with lots of headroom and plenty of leg and hip room. It’s almost spacious, but is still a compact rig which is very easy to park and to maneuver in tight traffic situations.
The xB is fun to drive, handles well, is comfortable on the freeway and basically the ride is well in keeping with what buyers should expect in the lower price ranges.
With a base price of just a little over $18,000, the xB is good value, especially since that figure includes air conditioning, power windows, keyless entry and heated remote mirrors. There are six air bags, traction control and also electronic stability control - something found these days on surprisingly inexpensive vehicles - plus all-around ABS-equipped disc brakes. It it conveys a “cutting edge” ambiance and an awareness that its owner is well up on the latest urban transportation trends.
Other models in the Scion lineup include the xD, which is a sporty hatchback and the tC, a sleek-looking coupe. Upcoming is the new 2012 iQ micro compact - a truncated city car that must be almost as stubby as a Smart. It looks very tiny but actually seats four people. Keep an eye on this website for full road tests of other Scion products. Scion’s stated aim is to create a range of urban vehicles that combine attitude, affordability, quality and fuel economy. The company wants to give every driver “the means to boldly express their personality and individuality.” The xB certainly confirms these aims and gets the job done very well indeed.
There’s no word on where Scion will go after the iQ takes its bow, but Toyota has clearly made a big commitment to the brand and new products are certain to follow in the years ahead.