Chicago Auto Show: Scion xB and xD info leaked early
In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion's redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car's are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn't discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it.
First up is the new xB, which has grown in size thanks to leaving the platform it shared with the now defunct xA. Gone is the toaster-esque styling as well, replaced with a design that's still a box, though one with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a thick C/D-pillar. It's also reported that the interior has been upgraded along with losing the not-loved center-mounted gauge pod. The xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque will be on tap to send power through a five-speed manual or four-seed automatic.
The xD is the new kid in the Scion camp, replacing the less well-received xA. It rides on the same platform as the Yaris, but is powered by the 128-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder found in the Corolla and Matrix. The xD will feature the same transmission choices as the new xB and send power to the front wheels only. The xD's styling shares the same thick C/D-pillar seen on the new xB, which appears to be a new Scion trademark styling cue. We'll leave judgment of the car's overall design to you, but will just say that it looks like a cross between a Camry and a JDM-market Mazda Verisa.
[Source: ScionLife]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
wheelsee 10:30AM (2/07/2007)
I like!
and for the haters....don't judge the xB by pics alone...the general consensus of the Miami people is that it is a step up from the 1st Gen...
-wC
Reply
highlander 10:33AM (2/07/2007)
Look at the bloated Rav4!
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_news070207_2008_toyota_highlander
Reply
akintz 10:36AM (2/07/2007)
Ya, I don't know. As a tC owner, I'm kind of worried about next years potential redesign of my baby (you know, 3-4 yr model cycle?). But I'm going to be patient with these changes. It took me a while to warm up to the first gen of each one anyways.
Though after riding in a few "first gen" boxes, it's nice to see them get a power bump. Especially if it means a broader range of parts for my engine-sharing baby.
Reply
J B 10:41AM (2/07/2007)
I really don't care for the way either vehicle looks. They both look rather bloated and look like toyota was trying too hard to make the vehicles "cool". I think the previous shoebox looks better than the new.
Reply
Phil L. 10:45AM (2/07/2007)
Hmmm - Is the Scion xD/Toyota Yaris platform sharing a hint of Toyota getting too close to badge engineering?
Reply
KT 10:48AM (2/07/2007)
Still ugly.
Still don't see what people like about these other than they are dirt cheap.
Reply
starlightmica 10:53AM (2/07/2007)
xD looks like a Yaris 5-door hatch with a new nose and bigger butt - door skins look the same.
With the bigger engines I see a price increase, which is in line with Scion not trying to sell any more cars than they already do.
Reply
Conor 12:08PM (2/07/2007)
god, C&D does it again!!!! gotta update my angry letter!
Reply
FLR 11:00AM (2/07/2007)
I realize that Scion is trying to be "hip" and all...but their naming is ridiculous. TC, XB, XD???? To quote Jerry Seinfeld "What's up with that?"
Now Pontiac is using G6 and G8. Arrggggh!!! For example....Lexus and the 'IS'...haven't they noticed that I-S spells 'is'. That is just a silly name!
I wish the manufacturers would use real names on cars again. Everyone wants to be like the Germans.
Reply
Robert 11:02AM (2/07/2007)
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Reply
Bill McHale 11:06AM (2/07/2007)
I think they generally are a step in the right direction. Not sure why they didn't just call the xD the xA, as it definitely fills the same niche. Its good that they get more power though. Definitely, a little more pep will make them more popular with the intended audience. Did the xD also dump the center mounted guage cluster?
Finally, one thought, Toyota might want to make use of that xB platform for a mini-MPV. Its mostly that already anyway :).
Reply
DKB_SATX 11:11AM (2/07/2007)
A Yaris-sized car (and a 5-door to boot!) with the bigger Corolla engine is a good combination. I like the proportion of the xD much more than the 3-door Yaris, but it'll probably still have that stupid centered instrument panel.
Reply
mehugtree 12:14PM (2/07/2007)
rather disappointing, initially. I loved the small box. That was the whole point! But can agree with the increase in engine size.
KT, can't speak for everyone who likes them, but for me I like the simple, clean design (what's simpler than a square?), the small size, the huge interior space and the great gas mileage. No other vehicle, at any price, has that (specifically, interior room and gas mileage).
Reply
ssgtakeo 11:55AM (2/07/2007)
I wonder how long it'll be before Springfield Armory sues them over the xD trademark?
Reply
C. McFeeny 11:21AM (2/07/2007)
It was smart for Toyota to redesign these vehicles to appeal more to the American audience who favor larger sized transportation. I find the xA to be an excellent car with a generous amount of cabin room for such a small car. I hope this doesn't impact the price point too severely as that certainly has a factor in the brands appeal.
Reply
mj 11:29AM (2/07/2007)
Well, I think they look much blander than the old ones.
The xb is bigger and has a REAL engine, so it will probably stay popular, at least for the first year.
But they're not great, daring designs like the last gen (which were, after all, old Japanese market cars). And why change the xA to xD, when it's basically the same car - then keep the xB name for a vastly different design?
The xB looks like a 4 door golf (rabbit?) that someone stepped on. It's like Toyota thought, "Well, all those blue-haired teachers haven't had an ugly car to rally around since the Forester was gussied up. Let's fill that niche."
That nose looked 700% better on the concept car/van/thing. The Miami people were star-struck delusional fans.
Being vastly better on gas (the major selling point?) and better-looking, I predict the xD to be the more popular car now.
Here's my ugly cars that old liberal teachers mysteriously loved list:
80's: saabs, volkswagen fox, brown volvos
90's: subaru justy, corolla wagon 4wd, mazda hatch
00-05:Subaru Forester
Reply
TDIMeister 11:46AM (2/07/2007)
I wonder if Scion would be hit with trademark infringement for having a product with the same name as a digital memory format.
Reply
ruggels 11:49AM (2/07/2007)
"
Still don't see what people like about these other than they are dirt cheap. "
That's it, honestly. I've got a friend on a tight budget, and while the xA doesn't offer cruise control, it does offer some interresting things standard like ABS and can be had for around 14,000 with auto which is hella-hecka-uber cheap :)
Reply
Jim 11:50AM (2/07/2007)
Seems like with the new xB that Scion is kind of getting away from what I thought was their original niche. I liked the original xB for it's simple solution to the problem of cheap, practical, roomy transportation, and damn the 'styling' issues. Kind of an anti-style that became it's own style.
I don't own one, although have driven several and seriously considered it. But now... I don't think so. Now it's trying too hard to be cool looking, but it's not pretty. Not trying at all and almost succeeding is much cooler than trying hard and not quite making it .
Mostly I think it's that high beltline that I don't like, kind of looks like it's trying to look chopped. And what's with the 2.4L engine? So much for economy and all that. This should have a 1.8, or 2.0 at the most.
Of course I turn 40 tomorrow so I'm not their target audiance anyway...
Reply
Jim 11:53AM (2/07/2007)
But at least they've added side airbags. Now maybe cruise control, too?
Reply