VIDEO: 2007 Scion xB In the Autoblog Garage
by Dan Roth on Feb 5th 2008 at 12:03PM 
click above to watch video
Here's a little something we've been cooking up for a while. We've seen your cries for more video reviews, and it's on our minds, too. We've been trying to bring you more video in a lot of ways lately; Chris Shunk recently walked us through the new Grand Caravan, and Damon and Sam shot some video when they went to visit Tesla to drive the Roadster. You can visit our YouTube Channel to see just how many videos we've been producing lately.
We decided to try our hand at producing an In the Autoblog Garage new car review on video, and you'll find our results after the jump. Let us know what you think of our first video review, which stars the 2007 Scion xB, as we hope to make it a regular feature. Also check out Sam Abuelsamid's review of the 2007 Scion xB in written form.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John R 12:14PM (2/05/2008)
Hey, that was pretty cool, not the car, but the video. You guys should keep this up.
BTW, what happened to the reader rides?
Reply
El Stigõ 12:29PM (2/05/2008)
So that's where the box of Kleenex went.
Here in Mexico, we call that thing "El Box de Gay."
Reply
Talis 12:33PM (2/05/2008)
YAY!!! NJ PLATES!!!!
Reply
calebe 12:43PM (2/05/2008)
Pretty good. only a few times did it sound like he was reading cue cards. We own a gen1 and what he said pretty much sums up what we feel about the gen2.
Reply
Seoultrain 12:37PM (2/05/2008)
I like the video review, and cinematography's good.
A more conversational tone would go a long way. I got the feeling you guys wrote something that works in text, but feels a little awkward in speech. Obviously we don't want podcast-type banter in a review, but rather some balance between the two. Maybe include some shots of the driver talking while driving the car. That might give some personality to the review, but done poorly, would ruin it.
Less-obtrusive, slower-paced BG music would also help
All in all enjoyable, though. Good job, AB.
As an aside, how long until we can see a comparison review from you guys?
Reply
John Johnson 12:37PM (2/05/2008)
Better than the minivan, I suppose.
Reply
dskinner 12:45PM (2/05/2008)
I'm not trying to be rude, but I feel that it is a bit inappropriate, not to mention unprofessional to call the vehicle a 2007, when Scion skipped the '07 model and released the second-generation xB as a 2008. Two minutes of research would show this. This type of ignorance speaks a lot about the up-and-coming site that attracts tons of loyalists.
When it comes to the review, I think it was a tad harsh, though much of it I agree with, having sat and driven the new model. The new xB lost its uniqueness in search of a money-making dime-a-dozen class. Nice try Scion, but you should have given America second-generation Toyota bB instead!
Reply
Biff Baxter 12:49PM (2/05/2008)
I don't think I'm allowed to drive this.
I still have both of my testicles.
Reply
Tom F 12:53PM (2/05/2008)
Great review guys! I like the video format... much more professional then earlier shots at this.
Reply
tuna 1:29PM (2/05/2008)
The fast talking narrator made me nervous.
Reply
LMBVette 2:01PM (2/05/2008)
Nice job on the video review, it's very cool feature. I agree with what's been said here, just try to slow down a little bit on your reading. Keep practicing, you'll get better.
As for the car, I think you're review is spot on with pretty much everything else I've read. On your highway trip where you got 30 mpg, how fast would you say you were going?
Just curious. I had my cruise set at 80 mph for 200 miles this past weekend in my z51 manual Vette, and I got right at 29 mpg on the highway with over twice the displacement. Reading the mileage on this car would really make me think twice if I was in the market for a such a car. I'd probably buy a Fit over this Scion.
Reply
Dan Roth 5:10PM (2/05/2008)
The highway trip was from Central MA to Cape Cod and back - 200+ miles, and it was mostly highway. Speeds ranged between 45-75. I didn't beat it up, and the 2.4 liter engine has beefy torque delivery, I just expected more. My Volvo S60 T5 would have returned 28-29mpg at least for the same trip, with a lot more power and comfort. I know Recaros are a little ridiculous to ask for, but if the first-gen GTI could do it, why not the xB?
AK 2:03PM (2/05/2008)
Video's OK, but I actually prefer to read the reviews. Plus, people who check Autoblog at work (which isn't me ironically) might prefer text to a video with audio.
Reply
vLane 2:08PM (2/05/2008)
The story of xB:
Toyota whimsically lobs over a leftover product that's expected to fail, stumbles upon an incredibly devoted youth market following instead, then completely neglects to incorporate the reason for its success (clue: looks) into the next version.
It'll be pretty funny in five years when Scion's average buyer age shoots past 57.
Reply
Rick 2:51PM (2/05/2008)
Quick, the xB is pulling up, close the garage door!!
Reply
Patrick Starling 2:30PM (2/05/2008)
Yes, I'd like the text as I'm usually reading at work. I'll come back and watch videos in the evenings at times, or on the weekends, but text works best for me. Could you do both?
Reply
LMBVette 2:45PM (2/05/2008)
I'm at work.....Shhhhhh!!!! ;-)
Reply
All American Dude XX 3:13PM (2/05/2008)
...they let you keep them after the operation?
anyways...you can clearly tell the review was somewhat biased from the beginning (add recaros to an econobox??)...c'mon autoblog, "fire" this geek and get better reviewer
Reply
All American Dude XX 3:14PM (2/05/2008)
Doh!
Reply
MarcT 11:12PM (2/05/2008)
Nice video format, but overly harsh review. Course thats to be expected on AB, and as noted by the comments, AB knows its target audience when it creates these reviews. I liked the link to YouTube which had the Edmunds review right beside the AB review. Much kinder, less editorializing, and more focus on the actual quality features of this car. Scion listened to its consumers when it created gen2. The consumers asked or more room and power, and thats what they got. And they are selling plenty of the new model. I dont believe any of the posters here liked the original xB, so why should they like this one. Furthermore, it is only gonna get better when they change the 2.4 for the 2.7L engines, my guess is in the 2010 model year. I also like the fact that its dramatic changes really make the first xB even more unique, maybe it'll be a collectors item in 20 years.
Reply