Scion xB Gains Additional Audio Functionality For 2010

The iconic Scion xB urban utility vehicle will continue to appeal to young consumers as it receives new standard and optional audio systems for the 2010 model year. The new standard Pioneer audio system features iPod/USB connectivity, a programmable welcome message screen and an RCA output for adding an external amplifier and subwoofer. An available Alpine Premium audio system takes the standard audio to the next level with several upgrades including a 4.3-inch color touch-screen monitor, HD Radio™ technology and optional navigation. The boxy xB receives one new exterior color, Sizzling Crimson Mica, which replaces Blackberry Crush Metallic.

New and Upgraded Audio System

The xB truly focuses on youth with its new standard AM/FM/CD/USB 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system. New features for 2010 include an organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen, iPod/USB connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), and a subwoofer RCA output. The standard Pioneer system features a USB port and universal auxiliary (AUX) port located on the center console that allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the xB's six Pioneer speakers.

Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the portable music player, including iPod and iPhone, into the USB or AUX port. The head unit's screen displays track number, track name and artist information from select USB units. The audio system provides outstanding sound quality through the car's stereo system and constant power to select iPods. Music is controlled through the head unit and the steering wheel audio control buttons for radio, CD and certain USB devices. iPod users can also use an alphabetical speed search to find a specific artist or album.

The ASR function restores a wide, deep and rich quality to MP3/WMA/AAC sound. Through the subwoofer RCA output, xB owners can add an external amp to drive one or more subwoofers. For easy operation, the system's multi selector allows for easy control of the head unit. Unique to the standard Pioneer audio system is the customizable welcome screen that also lets users to create a personal message of up to 16 characters.

The optional Alpine Premium audio system has the same basic features as the standard Pioneer audio, but adds a 4.3-inch color touch panel thin film transistor (TFT) screen, HD Radio™ technology, Media Expander (MX) and front and rear RCA outputs. Passengers can listen to HD Radio™ technology with the premium audio system and view text, song titles, album and artist name on the head unit. Alpine's MX improves compressed audio sound often found on digital music. The RCA outputs allow for up to three amplifiers -- front, rear and subwoofer. The optional audio system is also back-up camera and navigation ready.

Scion also offers an optional plug-in navigation unit for the Alpine Premium audio system. Navigation and audio functions utilize the head unit screen for display. Features include voice guidance; day and night screen modes; support in English, French and Spanish; 200 available address book entries; map coverage across the U.S. and Canada including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hawaii; three map views (3-D, north up, and heading up); and, more than 6 million points of interest. Users can also program up to three destinations before arriving at their final programmed stop. Scion makes this navigation unit customizable by allowing the user to change the vehicle position icon from an arrow to an icon of the xB which can be customized in every xB exterior color.

Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility and MP3, AAC and WMA capability. In addition both units adjust the volume control based on driving speed. The sound systems feature six speakers: a tweeter and a speaker in each front door panel, plus two full-range speakers in the rear.

Boxy Design

The second generation xB stands aggressively with pronounced fenders. Elongated headlamps that wrap around the side of the vehicle and a rectangular grille provide the xB's assertive fascia. Soft angles between wide and flat paneling and a high beltline create the iconic boxy profile. A single rear backup light on the left bumper, tinted rear windows, and turn signals integrated into the side mirrors give the xB unexpected styling cues.

Performance and Handling

The 2010 xB features a 2.4-liter dual overhead-cam four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), produces 158 horsepower and is rated California Level II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II). The xB has estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 city/28 highway for both the five-speed manual transmission and the four-speed automatic with sequential shifting.

The xB features 16-inch steel wheels and customers have the choice between three standard wheel covers which are shared with the xD. The xB stops with 10.83-inch ventilated discs in the front and 10.98-inch disc brakes in the rear and has a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension.

Interior Design

The xB's roomy interior offers utility with 21.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, versatile 60/40 split fold flat rear seats for additional space and a flat cargo floor to meet the needs of consumers' active lifestyles. In addition, the front seats fully recline for increased cargo space or relaxation while the driver has a comfortable right armrest.

For interior storage the xB offers a driver's convenience tray, a glove box, a console box and front door storage. Beneath the rear seats a fixed tray provides for hidden storage and can accommodate small items like magazines, cameras, laptops, cell phone chargers and CDs.

A series of sleek circular gauges, including the speedometer and deep orange multi-information display, sit centered on the metal-tone accented dash. Upon starting the engine, 'xB' flashes on the multi-information display before the driver can toggle through the clock, outside temperature, instantaneous MPG, average MPG, distance to empty, trip timer, or the average speed.

Mono-spec Features

All Scion vehicles are mono-spec so customers only need to choose exterior color and transmission type. The xB comes with a generous list of standard features including power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; cruise control; four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA); driver and front passenger dual stage airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC); first-aid kit; and tilt steering wheel with audio controls. All Scion models come with complimentary factory-recommended maintenance services at the first 5,000 mile and 10,000 mile intervals, to be performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership.

Colors

The xB is available in six exterior colors: Super White, Classic Silver Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Stingray Metallic, Sizzling Crimson Mica and Hypnotic Teal Mica. All xBs feature high-quality dark charcoal interior fabric.

by Scion

The name Scion means ‘a descendant or offspring' and is pronounced 'sigh-on'. Produced as a cheaper model for the younger generation, the Scion was created by Toyota for those that wouldn't touch their parents Toyota. A box-shaped, 5-door compact station wagon, the Scion xB was a rebadged subcompact Toyota bB. Due to their large numbers, approximately 78 million, Scion xB's marketing is aimed directly at Generation Y, American's that were born between 1978 and 1990.

The first two models, the bean and the box, were two of Toyota's Japanese home-market hatchbacks that share the Toyota Echo's chromosomes. Sharing the strut and twist-beam suspension of the Echo, they also feature the 108-hp, 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, with variable valve timing on the intake cam. While Japan had several years to become used to the box shape vehicle, it took the American market a bit more time to warm up to the vehicle. Riding on a longer wheelbase than the xA, 98.4 inches, the interior of the xB features more passenger room and an additional 21 cubic feet behind the rear seats for almost anything.

One of two models that entered the North American market under the Scion brand name was the Scion xB. The Scion xB was basically an Americanized version of the Japanese Toyota bB that was introduced July of 1999 as a new-for-2000 model. A huge success, the Japanese bB was updated in for the Japanese 2003 model year. While largely unmodified for the American market, the Scion xB did convert to left-hand drive and underwent equipment changes to conform to USDOT safety and emission standards. The xB was sold for $13,880 at the base manual level, and $14,680 for the auto.

Debuting at the 2003 New York Auto Show, the xB was originally introduced to America as the Scion bbX concept, which was a near-production version of the Scion Xb released to the California market in June, 2003. The bbX shared a 108hp 1.5L VVT-i engine with the Scion xA and the Toyota Echo. To keep dealership quality control fine-tuned and to spark demand in the rest of the country, the bbX was sold exclusively in California for several months.

The Scion brand hit both the east coast and the south in September of 2003. Dealerships began to pop up along the southern border states from Texas to Florida and along the Atlantic almost instantaneously. By June of 2004, the rest of the country was finally introduced to the Scion dealerships, now integrated into Toyota dealerships, though separate showrooms that featured high-tech flatscreen devices kept them apart.

Significantly upgraded for the American market, the Scion xB featured extra steel reinforcement, along with sound-damping material, tighter suspensions and a longer list of standard accessories. These included four-wheel disc brakes with antilock in the xA, and disc brakes with ABS, traction control and skid control in the xB.

The Scion xB also comes with standard power windows and locks, a Pioneer single-disc CD with six speakers, and a first-aid kit. The dashboard in the xB flowed data from a centrally mounted pod, while the speedo sits on top of the dash much like a mantel clock, offset towards the driver and much easier to read.

The xB featured two front buckets seats and a shifter mounted on the floor, rather than the front bench seat and a column-mounted shifter for the automatic transmission of the bB. While the bB was available with either the 1.3 L 2NZ-FE engine or the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE that was mated exclusively to a 4-speed automatic transmission with available all-wheel drive, the xB is only available with 1NZ-FE, but offers both a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. The xB does not offer all-wheel drive.

While the Toyota bB held a temporary spare tire that was stored under the rear cargo floor, the Scion xB held its compact spare tired under the left side of the rear cargo floor. A storage compartment was added to the right of the spare tire since the spare tire raised the cargo floor by several inches and reclaimed some of the lost storage space. The xB also holds a jack stored under the driver's seat. Under the passenger seat is a pull-out storage tray.

For the final year of production, 2006, minor changes were undergone that included interior seat fabric changes, along with a new steering wheel with integrated audio controls. The addition of two new colors further enhanced the line with ‘Salsa Red' replacing Black Cherry Pearl and ‘Shadow Mica' replacing Camouflage Metallic. The manual base model now cost $14,030 and $14,830 for the automatic.

A limited-release option package was offered in March, 2004 and began with the Scion xB RS1 and continued with the Scion xB RS2 in March of 2005, the Scion xB RS3 in February, 2006 and the Scion xB RS4 in November of 2006. The Release Series line of Scion vehicles featured a plaque mounted inside the vehicle that stated the edition number, while each release received its own exclusive special color not found on another xB. The RS1 featured Hot Lava, while the RS2 showcased Solar Yellow, the RS3 was featured in unique Envy Green, and the RS4 was painted in a color-shifting MAziora Torched penny.

Introduced at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, the second-generation xB was manufactured for Toyota by Central Motor Co. This new xB was larger than the previous model and featured a more rounded shape and is styled as a 5-door version of the t2B concept that was unveiled at the 2006 New York Auto Show. 3' wider and 1' longer than the first generation xB, the 2008 xB is powered by a 2.4L engine shared with the tC and the Camry. Carrying all of the standard features from the 2006 xB, the newest model also includes VSC, ABS and others. Cruise control and six airbags are standard.

On all 2008 Scions, a choice from three new head units will be available, along with south systems that feature six speaks and standard iPod connectivity. While the base unit has MP3, WMA, and AAC CD compatibility and Scion's SSP equalizer presets, it can also be set to any of three Scion model presets, xB, xD, or tC. The base until also features an ‘Automatic Sound Levelizer' feature that automatically increases the volume as the vehicle speed and ambient noise increases. In addition to the features on the base unit, the Premium head unit features a small LCD that can display pictures and moves downloaded from Pioneer's website. In addition to GPS functionality and the features of the base system, the SNS 100 system can play DVD movies, aside from the backlit color choices.

The only factory options aside from the color and stereo are a five-speed manual and a sequential-shift four-speed automatic. The newest Scion xB weighs over 600 lbs more than the previous generation. Not a rebadged Toyota bB like the first-generation modele, the second-generation Scion xB is a captive import sold in Japan under the Toyota Corolla family as the Corolla Rumion.

The 2008 Scion xB has been rated as one of the top ten safe vehicles under $25,000 by Car and Driver magazine.

by Jessican Donaldson