Overview Boxy urban hauler has sporty vibes, but is begging for some updates
Pros Boxiness has inherent versatility, great sightlines, good handling
Cons Dated four-speed transmission and interior
Value for money Good
What would I change? Offer a better automatic transmission, update interior
How I would spec it The Release Series 10.0 isn’t worth the money, so get a base model with a manual transmission and add individual upgrades
I love boxy cars. Ever since the Scion xB came out, I have secretly really liked its fridge-on-wheels aesthetic. Boxy cars make a lot of sense because their shape makes them more versatile than rounder cars — their squared-off trunk openings make it easier to load large objects and more of the interior space is usable.
The boxy shape also gives the xB (I’ve affectionately named it the xBox) a funky urban vibe, which exactly what Toyota wanted with this car. The car’s sightlines are also great, thanks to its big, square windows. The xB also has a lower centre of gravity than crossovers of a similar size, which helps the car feel planted and helps its performance. The xB has the versatility of an SUV but it drives like a car.
The 2014 Scion xB has a sporty personality, but the four-speed automatic really holds it back.
Clayton Seams, Driving
I really like the xB, but there are some things that can be improved so the car makes it onto my “definitely would buy” list.
The xB, especially this Release Series 10.0 special edition model, definitely has a youthful personality, but I’m certain that the Toyota executives didn’t actually ask young people what they want in a car like this.
Here’s why.
This special edition package is a $2,600 upgrade and there are only 1,500 of these being made. What you get for that money is a special pearlescent paint colour (it’s pretty), a backup camera (very useful), wireless charging for your cellphone (I couldn’t get it to work), different hubcaps (they look like they’re from the bargain bin at Canadian Tire), and tacky green lights that project the Scion logo onto the ground.
As a former young person (I’m nearly 30!), I’d be cheesed to pay for some of these options. I can’t help but feel that if Toyota actually asked some real young people what they want, real rims, a better transmission and a better audio system would all make the list before green laser lights. “We kids” aren’t just about the flash. Young people can understand value and practicality, and things like green lasers just don’t impress us.
The four-speed automatic transmission also doesn’t cut it any more, especially for a car that weighs nearly 3,000 pounds. This is a dated transmission and it has been phased out by many automakers and replaced by smoother and more efficient units. I understand that most people never think about their transmission, but besides being unresponsive, one of the biggest pitfalls of a four-speed is that your fuel economy suffers, which is something people actually do care about. My average was much higher than the advertised 8.4 L/100 km combined highway/city average — my average was hovering at around 12 L/100 km. I’ve seen a pickup truck get better fuel economy than this.
The 2014 Scion xB could use a transmission upgrade.
Jodi Lai, Driving
The other problem with the four-speed automatic transmission is that it neuters the car’s performance. The xB’s 2.4L four-cylinder is a pretty big engine, and it outputs a healthy 158 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, but the four-speed doesn’t match the car’s otherwise sporty demeanour. Armed with a sport-tuned suspension, well-weighted steering and a low centre of gravity, the xB should have been able to keep me entertained, but when you stomp on the gas pedal, you hear a lot of noise without feeling strong acceleration. Gear changes are also slow and clunky.
Besides the transmission, the interior is the only other area where I’d like to see some upgrades. The xB uses a lot of hard black plastic, which makes the cabin look dark and a bit cheap. Cars that cost less than the xB are beginning to have better interiors, so Toyota should get with the times and make some upgrades to the cabin. Nicer materials and getting rid of the centre-mounted gauge cluster would make the biggest difference. All the important information housed in the gauge cluster (the speedometer, tachometer, fuel economy, fuel levels, etc.) should always be in front of the driver. Other than that ergonomic issue and a few strange storage cubbies, the rest of the interior is user-friendly and the car’s infotainment system and its 6.1-inch touchscreen is easy enough to use. If I was being picky, I’d also say the audio system could use an upgrade — the sound was thin and not very rich.
Still, you could spec the xB to address many of these problems: I built an xB the way I would buy it with heated leather seats, premium audio, navigation, alloy wheels and a manual transmission and the price came up to a very respectable $22,958. Add on top of that Toyota’s reputation for building long-lasting and reliable cars with long lists of standard equipment, and I’d say that’s a pretty good deal. I wouldn’t recommend this special edition Release Series 10.0 model, but I would recommend the xB in general.
In the end, the base Scion xB is an attractive, unique and versatile hatchback with a sporty personality, but I just wish it had the transmission to match.
The Specs
Type of vehicle Front-wheel-drive compact hatchback
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Power 158 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 162 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual, optional four-speed automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires P205/55R16
Price (base/as tested) $18,960/$24,392
Destination charge $1,695
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 9.5 city, 7.2 highway
Standard features 60/40 fold-down back seats, front bucket seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA audio system with six speakers, auxiliary and USB input, Bluetooth, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, air conditioning, power windows with driver side auto down, power heated mirrors and locks, rear window defroster, keyless entry and more
Options Cargo cover, premium audio, 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, four-speed automatic transmission, alloy wheels, and more
