Has The Scion xB Become a Little Porker?

He actually like Toyotas, but you have to listen to his podcasts to really hear that.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 2:26:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Having never listened to his podcasts (tho I have no reason to doubt your veeracity), I can only go by what is written on TTAC, and I have never read a positive review of any Toyota product.

I must second the point about how much reviewers and everyone else seems to all of a sudden love the original xB. I dont seem to recall hearing many positive statements about the old one up until now. Autospies is notorious for that game as well.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 7:02:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

veracity

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 7:02:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

This jerk once said that Audi used better materials for its trunk than those Lexus used for its dash.

Cheap materials? In a $90k sedan?

— LexusNumberOne4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 10:57:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"Cheap things". Yeah, that's what many Americans said about Japanese cars when they started being imported in large numbers in the 70's and 80's. Look now, many Asian cars are the top sellers in the American and world markets. Oh please!!!!!

— froggy780 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 1:51:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

That doesn't change the fact they may be cheap.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 2:27:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I don't agree. Toyota didn't "cheapen out" it's new xB. It has a 2.4L Camry (previous gen) engine that is much more powerful the the last xB. It's also grown in length and width. The exterior is more aggressive with a very unique and larger front facia. The interior has also been upgraded with more room and a better looking center console. The wheelbase of the next xB has also grown giving it a much better ride (not as bumpy and choppy as the 1st gen). You can't compare the new xb to the old one. There two totally different cars. The 1st gen was originally made for the Japanese market and the new one is made for the US market. Both are great cars, but inprovements were made. Toyota, wanted something different and so they lowered the roofline and "fatten it up" so it doesn't look exactly like the 1st gen xB. People get tired of the same styles and so changes are made. Toyota will probably get the LAST LAUGH because you know that the new xB will sell VERY WELL just like the TC, XA, and 1st gen XB. Toyota can charge STICKER PRICE (pure price) for their Scions and more than enough people are willing to pay that price. Take that PT cruiser or Chevy HHR---with their deep factory and dealer discounts. The PT cruiser and Chevy HHR are good examples of cheap cars. Their exteriors are ugly and their interiors are horrible looking. The HHR's exterior looks soo ugly and the interior looks like a economy car. The PT Cruiser looks ok on the exterior but the interior is also quite cheap WITH PAINTED COLOR TRIM PIECES THAT MAKE IT LOOK TACKY. Both the PT and HHR have plastic trim pieces that look like they were made by Fisher Price---soo cheap. Overall, the xB has a very good fit and finish with reliability in mind.

— froggy780 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 1:48:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Not just for teenagers any more. Great vehicle for frugal seniors also. Finally a sufficient engine.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 1:58:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

It's going to make the original xB more of a classic, it's going to attract most of the orignial fans (not the faux ones who claim to have loved the first one, but hate this one), and it's going to attract a lot of new fans.

The only thing I would have done different is, because it is so different, call it something other than xB (like xA to xD). But Scion does have a lot of brand equity in that name, and I am sure they didnt want a Taurus fiasco.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 7:13:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The old one was okay, and I definitely preferred it over the fugly xA (the tC is my favorite), but this new one is a disappointment. 650lbs? Where did that go to? More cheap interior plastics? And not only that- it's lost its iconic look, which is what I liked about the last-gen. The old xB was just a box, plain and simple, and it worked. The new one is just... a blob. A nothing. It has no character. All I can say is, I hope they don't ruin the tC.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 5/16/2007 11:20:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Also, in regards to the engine, Toyota has rumored to be testing a new Camry engine, which presumably would make its way into the tC and xB. Higher hp and mpg, undoubtedly, to answer any criticisms of this one.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 11:53:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

A9 hit the nail on the head with this one! Toyota has taken away all the things that made the xB a success - its uniqueness and most importantly is MPG!!! Its just another SUV now...and I wouldn't even think of buying one. I'd rather have the older body style + better MPG. Sorry Toyota, you blew it!

— bagwell (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 8:30:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1