New Car Reviews : scion

2008 Scion xD Review | New xD Reviews | Scion Hatchback Review

Jeffrey Ross — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:15:00 GMT

The 2008 Scion xD tries, and succeeds, to step out of the shadow of its larger, more succesful stable mates. The all-new xD offers enough unique, edgy styling to proudly wear the Scion badge, yet enough conventional styling and utility to stand out among compact hatchbacks. Keep reading below for a full review on the Scion xD.

When Scion was first introduced in 2003, the company initially launched two vehicles - the xA and the xB. Although, both vehicles were similar in size, they featured designs that were drastically different. The xB was a boxy, edgy and hip wagon, while the xA was a rather conservatively designed subcompact hatchback. The varying looks of Scion’s fraternal twins not only served to help tell the two cars apart, but also to establish the fledgling brand’s identity.

For 2008, as the xB grew and began using the larger, Corolla-based platform, the xD continued using a platform similar to the Toyota Yaris but now featured a much better overall design both inside and out. Scion designed the all-new xD so that it could stand out not only from the similarly sized Yaris, but also its main competition, which include the Chevrolet Aveo, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit. As with the other Scion models, the 2008 xD is available with ample cosmetic and performance dealer-installed upgrades.

While the xA had a prominent wedge-shaped design, the 2008 Scion xD uses a blunt, boxier design to help create a more aggressive look and stance. Helping to eliminate the wedge shape of the xA, the xD features a tall, squared-off front fascia, a high beltline and almost-vertical rear hatch. The slim, slanted headlights add an angry look to the front of the xD, while the angled crease along the side of the body provides a sporty look and helps to prevent a slab-sided, something the xB could have definitely used.

Unlike the inside of the xB we reviewed in January, the xD features a more conventional interior especially when it comes to the instrument cluster. While its predecessor and the xB both feature a gauge cluster mounted centrally atop the instrument panel, the xD now uses a single speedometer/tachometer combination gauge mounted behind the steering wheel. The instrument panel features hard, textured plastic and is contrasted by the metallic paint and smooth plastic surround of the slim center stack, which houses the stereo and HVAC controls.

From the driver’s seat, the lack of a center armrest can get a little annoying on long trips, but the front seats are more than comfortable and offer surprising side bolstering. Rear occupants are made comfortable by the 60/40 split bench being able to recline back up to 3.5 inches and adjust fore and aft as many as six inches. With the rear seats up, the xD offers 10.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and if more space is needed, the rear seats fold down almost flat to accommodate a total 35.7 cubic feet.

In addition to the ample cargo capacity, the xD offers numerous ingenious storage compartments and cubby holes. For the driver, a decent-sized cubbyhole is located on the left side of the lower knee bolster, while the extra space opened up by moving the instrument gauges allowed for enough space to add another storage compartment and pop-out cup holder along the upper edge of the instrument panel above the standard glove box. Joining the instrument panel cup holder, each door panel incorporates its own cup holder with two additional beverage holders in the lower portion of the center stack. Since the xD doesn’t have a true center console like the xB, the standard iPod and auxiliary jack connectors are now mounted under the HVAC controls along with a power outlet.

When it comes to performance, the xD isn’t going to break any quarter-mile drag race records, but it’s surprisingly peppy. The 2,265-pound xD is understandably slower than the larger and more powerful xB and tC putting up a 10.5 second 0-60 mph run, but the car is far from underpowered. Whether taking off from a dead start or merging into interstate traffic, the xD’s 128-horsepower 1.8-liter inline four cylinder is ready for the challenge. The tangible advantage to the xD’s smaller stature is its impressive fuel economy with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Our test car came with only a few additional options, but it felt very well equipped. Vehicle stability control, a premium audio system and carpet and cargo mats were the only option boxes that were checked, which raised the base MSRP from $15,350 to $17,291.

2008 Scion xD Pictures and Wallpapers

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

2008 Scion xB Review | New xB Reviews | Scion Wagon Review

Jeffrey Ross — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:50:00 GMT

The 2008 Scion xB is the easily recognizable and stylish compact wagon offered by Toyota’s youth-oriented division. Scion’s main draw is the high level of customization it offers to all of its vehicles, and the 2008 xB is no different. From stereo head units to wheels and everything in between, customers can choose from a generous number of options to create a truly unique ride. Keep reading below for a full review on the Scion xB.

One of my very first memories of driving, that didn’t involve my best friend rear ending or broadsiding my car, happened on a trip to visit my aunt one fall day. As I got out of the car, she asked me why I didn’t wear my hat backwards like my brother. My response to her was simple: “My car isn’t cool enough!”

After a only a week behind the wheel, it was perfectly clear that unlike my first car, a ten-year old Chevrolet Celebrity, the 2008 Scion xB is cool enough. If the Toyota Prius is the poster child for “green” drivers, the xB fully represents the perfect car to bridge the gap from high school to college.

The xB is probably Scion’s most iconic vehicle and defines the brand image of Scion. When it came time to design a second-generation xB, designers were able maintain the tall, boxy look that made the original so popular while stretching the car’s dimensions to make it more practical. The chopped and lowered look of the xB emits a sensation of youth. No offense to Nirvana, but if there was any car that actually smelled like teen spirit, the 2008 Scion xB would be it.

Available with only one trim level, the xB gives its owners the ability to drive a car that can be individually catered to their specific preferences. As a starting point, the xB comes with standard features such as cruise control, power windows and power door locks with keyless entry. From there, Scion offers a laundry list of optional accessories to produce a custom look to the interior. This test car was equipped with an upgraded Pioneer stereo that featured the ability to change, and even download, different background skins on the digital display. Standard iPod connectivity allows the driver to navigate throughout the iPod using only the stereo’s head unit.

While the targeted consumers of the xB may not be getting the space they deserve living with the ‘rents, the 2008 Scion xB offers up plenty of interior space. Thanks to the 2008 model using the same platform as the Toyota Corolla, this second-generation xB has grown in just about every dimension. Interior room is almost unexpected with the capability of seating five tall adults comfortably thanks to an overall length that is a foot longer than the outgoing xB and a three-inch wider girth.

The larger and heavier xB needed a more powerful engine for work detail, so the Scion tC’s 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) four-cylinder engine was a perfect candidate to add power and torque. The engine, also shared with the base Toyota Camry, produces 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque to help 3,020-pound Scion xB muster a 0-60 mph run in 8.9 seconds. The four-speed automatic transmission could use an extra gear (or two), but it still provided high-revving shifts when needed.

At first glance, I had my doubts as to how well the xB would handle because of its tall stance. To my surprise, the car was very nimble in tight turns and provided a comfortable ride on long highway jaunts.

For performance enhancements, Scion tapped into Toyota’s performance division, TRD, to provide more than enough options to create a tailor-made driving experience. From sport-tuned and lowered suspension to performance drivetrain and exhaust components, the xB can be fully tuned straight off the assembly line rather than going through aftermarket outlets that may affect Scion’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

A major disadvantage of the xB’s stance was annoyingly obvious when pulling into a driveway or parking spot. When pulling into a driveway at anything over a crawl or pulling up too far in a parking space with a curb or concrete block, the ensuing loud scraping noise of the lower front fascia is a reminder of just how low the car sits. Speaking of parking, the windowless D-pillars are a great look on the xB but make backing out of some parking spots rather difficult.

One place the xB won’t be parking at very often are gas stations. The EPA estimates for fuel economy are rated at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, but this test model did slightly better averaging close to 24 mpg in the city and just over 30 mpg on the highway. Even when the xB got thirsty, filling up the 14-gallon fuel tank was not too hard on the wallet.

Review written by: Jeffrey Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

2008 Scion lineup introduced at Chicago

Jeffrey Ross — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:47:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

When Toyota created Scion in 2003, the entry-level marque targeted youthful customers and created a personalized buying environment . Scion’s main draw was its highly customizable cars that are uniquely styled and blend adequate performance with stellar fuel economy.

Scion will use the 2007 Chicago Auto Show to showcase its 2008 model year vehicles – the completely redesigned and unmistakable xB, the all-new xD (which replaces the xA) and a slightly updated tC. All Scion models continue being produced in one trim level, giving all customers the opportunity to make their cars as unique as the drivers themselves. For improved safety, all 2008 Scion models now come standard with dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted front side airbags and roof-mounted side curtain airbags in addition to tire pressure monitoring systems.

The 2008 Scion xD will replace the ugly duckling of Scion’s lineup, the xA. The new Scion is improved both inside and out on many levels. The standard 16-inch wheels are pushed far out to the corners to give the xD a wide, aggressive stance. The horizontal headlights offer a peering look and flow back into the flared wheel arches giving a more athletic look. Performance numbers should be increased with the more powerful 1.8-liter four cylinder - increasing horsepower to 128. With over an inch added to the width and three inches added to the wheelbase compared to the outgoing xA, the xD should be a better handling car in addition to being more comfortable.

The 60/40 split rear seats can slide fore and aft up to six inches for improved legroom as well as being able to recline both improving passenger comfort and cargo capacities. Behind the rear seats, a large storage tray lies hidden beneath the rear cargo area. For the driver, an all-new and much less-radical instrument panel not only allows the gauges to be directly in the driver’s line of sight but also increased ergonomics and storage space. The speedometer and tachometer are cleverly combined into a single unit with the warning lights and indicators flanked on each side. Dual glove boxes optimize empty space that was present on the xA for added storage area.

Much like the xD, the all-new 2008 Scion xB is completely different from its predecessor. Looking less like a toaster, the new xB is longer and wider which should help improve the ride and comfort for passengers. The rounded edges and massive C-pillars help to create a clean and modern look to the xB’s distinct shape as well as allowing for an additional eight cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. An increase of 12 inches in length (four inches to the wheelbase) and almost three inches in width will give a sportier more confident feeling to drivers in addition to the more powerful 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder now shared with the tC.

The updated looks are complimented by an all-new interior. Similar to the previous xB, the instrument cluster remains centrally located on the dash and houses the circular gauges and a combination meter. The combination meter allows the driver to toggle through useful data such as the outside temperature, instantaneous and average MPG, distance to empty and the average speed. The wider body and multitude of standard airbags should help improve passenger safety in the xB, which received a poor rating for the 2006 model year in side impact collisions by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Scion’s sportiest car, the tC, will receive minor updates for 2008. A new front fascia, revised projector-beam headlights and clear-lensed taillights will keep the 2008 Scion tC looking fresh and up to date. The new tC also receives a new 160-watt Pioneer stereo with Apple iPod connectivity that will be shared across Scion’s lineup. The rear seat offers increased safety and comfort to passengers with three-point seatbelts for all rear occupants who will appreciate the ability to recline up to 45 degrees. The 60/40 split seat folds flat to allow of almost nine feet worth of cargo length.

For added convenience, all Scions will 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 and a standard five year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.