The first of the boxy/funky/quirky wagons to be unleashed on an unsuspecting but ultimately receptive public, Scion’s xB 5-seat people hauler sports few changes for 2014. That doesn’t mean, however, that this refrigerator box on wheels hasn’t improved itself since its debut nearly a decade ago. The sleek-ish, marginally swoopier look of this generation’s xB is the result of Toyota-sponsored Scion’s distancing itself from the now-passé retro-isms of its introductory generation, but many in the automotive biz nevertheless consider a comprehensive reworking overdue.
In any case inside, the 2014 xB will never be mistaken for a Bentley, however, its single Base trim comes with a plethora of passenger room, while cargo area remains some 69.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additionally, a fold-flat front passenger seatback adds a few more cubes to the toting total, with rear seat room and comfort still described by virtually all reviewers as better than average. Alas, competitors like the Nissan Cube and Kia’s well-wrought Soul, though relative latecomers to the squared-off wagon wave, have garnered the lion's share of the market.
Nevertheless, returning in the 2014 xB is the surprisingly peppy 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that’s touted to get 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque when mated with either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or the available 4-speed shiftable automatic. Unfortunately, despite variable valve timing (VVT), the xB’s mileage numbers aren’t as up-to-snuff at 22 mpg city/28 highway as those of some others in its segment. Furthermore, the standard electric power steering won’t do much for getting a feel for the road, but then this is a family-oriented car, not a track star.
Delivered appearance and cabin amenities, meantime, should remain 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, simulated alloy dashboard trim and full power accessories, complemented by cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Air conditioning, of course, is expected to return in the 2014 xB iteration, as is Bluetooth hands-free calling, while a 160-watt Pioneer premium audio system with 6 speakers and auxiliary iPod/iPhone integration ought to keep trip-taking toes tapping.
Options again are expected to be a little overwhelming in detail, with TRD (Toyota Racing Division) wheels, brakes and suspension components taking star billing, backed by such available add-ons as a rear spoiler, BeSpoke upgraded audio (new for 2014), satellite and Internet radio, and Aha smartphone apps. Along with the upgraded stereo system comes a hard-drive-based navigation system that plays well with the BeSpoke’s larger color touchscreen display, also improved for this year.
Standard safety equipment, finally, should once more include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. The standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors can be complemented by available front fog/driving lights, with the Scion Security System, boasting a panic mode, remote door-locking functions and a glass breakage sensor, also optional.
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Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Pioneer · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 26 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Pioneer · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent