click the picture to view the 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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John R @ Feb 5th 2008 12:14PM
Hey, that was pretty cool, not the car, but the video. You guys should keep this up.
BTW, what happened to the reader rides?
El Stigõ @ Feb 5th 2008 12:29PM
So that's where the box of Kleenex went.
Here in Mexico, we call that thing "El Box de Gay."
Talis @ Feb 5th 2008 12:33PM
YAY!!! NJ PLATES!!!!
Seoultrain @ Feb 5th 2008 12:37PM
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?
John Johnson @ Feb 5th 2008 12:37PM
Better than the minivan, I suppose.
calebe @ Feb 5th 2008 12:43PM
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.
dskinner @ Feb 5th 2008 12:45PM
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!
Biff Baxter @ Feb 5th 2008 12:49PM
I don't think I'm allowed to drive this.
I still have both of my testicles.
Tom F @ Feb 5th 2008 12:53PM
Great review guys! I like the video format... much more professional then earlier shots at this.
tuna @ Feb 5th 2008 1:29PM
The fast talking narrator made me nervous.
LMBVette @ Feb 5th 2008 2:01PM
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.
Dan Roth @ Feb 5th 2008 5:10PM
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 @ Feb 5th 2008 2:03PM
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.
vLane @ Feb 5th 2008 2:08PM
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.
Patrick Starling @ Feb 5th 2008 2:30PM
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?
LMBVette @ Feb 5th 2008 2:45PM
I'm at work.....Shhhhhh!!!! ;-)
Rick @ Feb 5th 2008 2:51PM
Quick, the xB is pulling up, close the garage door!!
All American Dude XX @ Feb 5th 2008 3:13PM
...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
All American Dude XX @ Feb 5th 2008 3:14PM
Doh!
Dan Roth @ Feb 5th 2008 4:57PM
Actually - the biggest problem with the script is just my lack of professional voiceover talent. I've written for broadcast for a few years, but my forte is on the other side of the glass, in front of the gear, not the microphones.
Thanks for all the constructive criticism, we'll smooth it out in future reviews - watch this space!