2011 scion xb review

2011 scion xb
Interested in buying a Scion xB? Don’t, however, expect any revolutionary changes. Cars.com says: “The most notable change is the jutting front bumper, which is similar to the original model’s chinlike protrusion. The headlights, taillights and front and rear bumpers also get restyled. Inside, the changes are also slight. “The cabin also receives a small amount of freshening, beginning with new front seats with larger bolsters,” reports Car and Driver. The 2011 Scion xB will feature the same 158-horspower, 2.4-liter four cylinder engine as this year’s model. If you're in the market for a new car, this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.

When a press release titled “Scion Announces Pricing for Restyled 2011 Scion xB hit our inbox, we thought to ourselves, what restyled Scion xB? Scion has revised the front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillights, and the grille. The front of the xB now sports a newly shrunken grille and larger mouth-like lower opening, as well as different—and better integrated–headlights. The 2011 xB will also be available in two new paint colors: Army Rock Metallic and Elusive Blue Metallic.

Scion changed some of the exterior features on the xB, but it’s still retaining its iconic boxy feel--The standard engine is a 158-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder--Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic--This four-door, wagon-style vehicle seats five.

Ease of entry and exit, alert close-quarters maneuvering capabilities, distinct looks, and loads of passenger and cargo space continue to characterize the 2011 Scion xB.
The 2011 xB's distinct looks aren’t for everyone, nor are its tepid mileage, poor rear visibility, bargain-basement interior materials, or still-confounding controls and gauges.

Still a refrigerator box on wheels, the 2011 Scion xB has, nonetheless, undergone a bit of modification inside and out. Only one trim level is available for the 2011 xB, with, therefore, the traditional single engine choice. Standing pat with its sprightly 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and standard five-speed manual transmission, the 2011 Scion xB puts out 158 hp at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. A four-speed auto-manual transmission is also available for an extra grand. To add insult to injury, one review claims only a 20 mpg average with the auto-manual transmission.

The 2011 Scion xB is noted as reasonably quick off the line, with one performance test claiming 0-60 in 8.6 seconds in an auto-manual-equipped version.

Additionally, 17-, 18-, or 19-inch alloy wheels are available for the xB, though data on ride improvement with the larger tires is scarce.

At highway speeds, the xB feels tolerably stable and controlled, according to most reviews, with its MacPherson front struts often mitigating what several reviewers claim is a somewhat vague steering feel.

Unusually well equipped for its appealing base price, the "2011 Scion xB" boasts such standard cabin amenities as cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, split-folding rear seats, remote power door locks, power windows and mirrors, new-for-2011 telescoping tilt-wheel steering with mounted audio and cruise controls, manual air conditioning, USB connection, and simulated alloy dash and steering-wheel accents. The focus of the updated xB’s cabin is, according to nearly all reviewers, its standard 160-watt Pioneer audio system with six premium speakers.

Not to be overlooked is the xB’s list of options, which includes the Scion touch-screen navigation system and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Furthermore, oversized rear roof pillars continue to plague drivers with visibility problems.

The 2011 Scion xB is no exception, and comes through with such standard passenger protection equipment as four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assist, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and turn-signal-integrated mirrors.

While no test data is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2011 Scion xB its highest rating of Good across the board.

Apparently, the xB’s looks will always be subjective. Controversial looks aside, owners laud the xB’s passenger and cargo room, safety, and driving kick, with the improved cabin ambiance, including somewhat more comfy seats and armrests, also coming in for a share of guarded owner optimism.

One of the xB’s biggest draws is its amazingly customizable interior, which seats five and has plenty of cargo room. Among the included safety features on the "Scion xB" are antilock brakes, stability control, traction control and airbags.

It’s hard to pin down the "Scion xB", which is part crossover, part wagon, part hatchback--If you want a car that helps you express your individuality, the Scion xB might be the car for you. With its excellent interior space, the Scion xB gives you the flexibility you need for both passengers and cargo.

2011 Scion tC Reviews

2011 Scion tC Reviews
An affordable sports coupe? No, not if the coupe in question is Scion's tC. Length, wheelbase, and height are unchanged, but the new car is 1.6 inches wider, allowing a wider track and larger wheels tires, and brakes.

The new Scion tC is designed around the driver, but passengers, even rear-seat passengers, are also given lots to like. -- The 2011 Scion tC uses Toyota's Star Safety System, a combination of antilock brakes (four-wheel disc in this case), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA), traction control, and vehicle stability control (VSC). VSC can be switched off for high-performance driving. Win-win! Thanks to the engine's lovely torque, it works very well, and showcases the "Scion tC" gentler side.

Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand is growing up, ever so slightly, refining its popular flagship Scion tC model for 2011. Currently the Scion tC boasts the youngest buyer in the industry with an average age of just 26 years old, and while Scion wants to maintain that core group of younger buyers, they’re also looking to bring in some slightly older customers (including second-time buyers) with a long list of small but important improvements.
Closer inspection, however, reveals the new model’s design appears longer with more of a true coupe profile. Surprisingly, the new Scion tC is actually identical in length to the old model, and it shares the same overall height.

Along with the power-bump, the sporty driving experience has been enhanced thanks to the wider track, an upgraded suspension and larger 18-inch wheels with wider 225 tires. One pleasant surprise is the electric power steering system. In the performance (and safety) category, Scion also upgraded the brakes on the "2011 Scion tC " . A final performance note is the mostly irrelevant traction control system.

The setup reminds us of the Volkswagen GTI and speaks to the slightly higher demographic Scion is after with the second-gen Scion tC .

Features include eight airbags, the aforementioned traction control and vehicle stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system as well as a brake override system--In all ways the 2011 Scion tC is a fitting sequel to a car that put Scion on the map.
No, you don’t have to love discordant music played at ear splitting levels to love the new Scion tC .

Scion has improved a sound package in every way, from engine, to suspension, to appearance. Part of the improvement is attributable to the fact that both the manual and automatic gearboxes now contain 6 speeds, instead of 5 for the stick and 4 for the automatic in the earlier version Scion tC
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2011 Scion tC show with option TRD package
First trip, in a Black coupe equipped with automatic gearbox (Base Price $19,275) and uprated Alpine stereo, proved the new engine’s torque characteristics are well mated to the sequential shift transmission. The automatic Scion tC is a lively combo, with decent handling, comfortable ride, low wind noise, and excellent cockpit ergonomics. The new flat-bottom, fat-rimmed steering wheel is a pleasure to use, the driver-angled center instrument stack is easy to read and operate, thanks to 3 large, knurled knobs for the HVAC system. If sporting inclinations are foremost, you’ll love the Scion tC we drove next. This manual transmission model (Base Price $18,275), finished in a newly available shade called Magnetic Gray Metallic, had optional TRD sway bars front and rear, plus a TRD “performance” muffler. Whereas the black tC was shod with very noisy Toyo Proxes A20 tires, the Granite coupe rode on vastly quieter Yokohama Avid S34 tires. There’s no reason why Release 2 of the Scion tC won’t handily outsell Release 1.

New Scion xD RS 2.0: Final Special Edition Model for 2009 Goes All Green

Toyota's seemingly youthful Scion brand has cranked out more limited/special edition models than we can remember, but it all it comes to an end for this year with the market launch of the new xD Release Series 2.0 that's due to arrive at dealer showrooms later this month. Scion said that it will only build 1,600 units of the xD RS 2.0 that is offered exclusively in what the firm calls 'Electric Wasabi' green exterior paint. More like 'washed out green' if you ask us, but whatev.

The same color accents the xD's interior that also features four-in-one interior lights, and "RS 2.0" door sills illuminated with white back lighting. Silver accented seat fabric and individually numbered badging complete the looks.

The car's standard equipment includes a 5.8-inch touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with flash memory, voice recognition, and Bluetooth. Pioneer's unit is also satellite radio, rear view camera and HD Radio ready and will play iPod videos just as long as the driver engages the parking brake.

The xD RS 2.0 carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,270 over the standard car, at $14,650 for the XD with a manual gearbox and $15,450 with an automatic transmission. Add to that a delivery, processing and handling fee of $670 and you're all set.