A year after its introduction, the Scion xB changed little for the 2005 model year. It was powered by a 1.5-liter, double-overhead-cam inline four-cylinder engine that produced 108 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while a four-speed automatic was available as an option.

The xB was surprisingly well-equipped for its price. Standard features included stability control, traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, air conditioning, front bucket seats, power steering, power door locks with keyless entry, power exterior mirrors, dual front airbags, a tilt steering wheel, a rear window defogger, and a Pioneer AM/FM stereo system with a CD player and  MP3 compatibility.

Customization options included a subwoofer, back-lighting kits, satellite radio, spoilers and body moldings, sport pedals and various shift knobs.

Owners and reviewers agreed that although the xB was quite affordable, the impact of Toyota, which builds the Scion, was very evident in the car's engineering, build quality, efficiency, and comfort. Drivers and reviewers also responded favorably to the xB's reliability and interior flexibility. However, they also pointed out that because of the car's high center of gravity, care must be taken when negotiating corners at speed.