2004 Scion xB Consumer Reviews

Fabulous 40,000 Miles So Far

Written by: Charlie SJC on 01/26/2007

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The Scion xB has more head and leg room for four tall people than most SUVs. The gas mileage with the stick shift has improved from year to year. I never get less that 32 mpg now and sometimes get 35 mpg.

Favorite Features

We are retired so trips to hilly San Francisco, the nursery, Costco and the hardware store are the order of the day. The xB is perfect for short trips with four people wearing hats.

Suggested Improvements

Smooth roads are very comfortable, but rough roads will beat you to death. There is no option for softer shocks. The front seats have no thigh support. I stacked an inch and a half of washers on longer front seat bolts in order to raise the front of the seat. What were they thinking?

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Pierre's xB

Written by: Pierre on 11/29/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car is fun to drive and turns heads in town. Although it is marketed to the young crowd it is a great car for people over 50 because it is very easy to get in and out. The legs room in the back is outstanding even for tall people. My father-in-law is 8' tall and he still has room before in knees. When the back seats are down the cargo volume is huge for a car this size.

Favorite Features

ABS / Traction control are great in the snow. The sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Add an intermittent wiper for the rear window. A 6th gear would be nice on the manual stick version. It also needs a map light on the rear view mirror and a 12V power outlet in the back.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Coot Scoot

Written by: xB Coot on 10/23/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I wanted a van w/o the huge size so I bought an xB. It fits me to a "T." It is fairly comfy for long trips, not too noisy and easy to drive. It fits my dog and two passengers plus our luggage, or me plus 3 HS Football players and their equipment with legroom to spare. I hope it'll last at least 16 more years!

Favorite Features

The high seating, comfort for four, small price and size but big on interior, great gas mileage - 33 mpg with an automatic transmission, easy to read gages, and bright exterior lighting.

Suggested Improvements

Add lumbar support, move the hI-beam indicator to the speedometer pod, add more rake adjustment to the steering wheel, add cruise Control, and give it a larger gas tank.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Over 40? Easy Entry, Easy Exit

Written by: Smitty on 09/27/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My Thundercloud Blue Metallic 'B' was the first one ordered and delivered to the MIDWEST via Molle Toyota, KC, Mo. Ordered it with AEM, H-strut, security system, amber footlights, and chrome doorsills. I added an armrest this past year, it wasn't available in 2003. It gets between 29 (summer heat) and 36 MPG. I only drive 5 miles to work, but it will double next year to 10. I use it weekends for short trips, chores, jaunts under 200 miles; drive it roundtrip once a month to St. Joe MO. My wife loves it - after I got the armrest. I expect to drive it as a commuter until I retire next decade... unless a better 'B' comes along! My only problem with it was a broken driver's door latch, which was fixed under warranty.

Favorite Features

The remote security / locks, 4 electric windows, easy-check fluids, and how it sits high but not like an SUV or truck. I recommend getting one with the black interior, the same way I outfitted mine, since at night you need to see the floor (amber). I expect to get 175,000 miles on the engine due to AEM cold-air induction.

Suggested Improvements

108 horsepower gets you to 60 mph in about 13½ seconds with the full 850 lb. load, but I wouldn't drive the 'B' cross-country without stopping every 200 miles. There is too jolting in its ride for more than three hours straight. The B's for intra-suburban hopping, not coast- to-coast driving. Add side airbags for the rear?

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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No One Knew

Written by: SCION on 07/09/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Whwn we bought our Scion xB in 2003, most people had not even heard of a Scion. We took a trip cross country in our "Little Baby Boots," we had the best drive. It is great on gas and confort, and easy for my handicaped wife to get in and out of. We could not have asked for any better car. The funny thing was, the further East we got the less people knew what a Scion was, even a Highway Patrol officer pulled us over to ask what it was, so not only did we have a great ride, we had a lot of fun.

Favorite Features

We love hos this car is so easy to get into, GREAT on gas, and had great style and comfort.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing, leave it just like it is...

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best of Two worlds

Written by: paulcat on 07/06/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have a 2004 Scion xB A/T. I recently took a 2,000 mile trip through the east, averaging 34.8 mpg at about 75 mph with the AC on. It rides according to the road surface, meaning, a good road = a good ride...jarring bumps, you get the picture. I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs. and find it to be an easy drive. My mate is 5'0" and 135 pounds, and she gets excellent thigh support, but the pedals are far away, with the steering wheel very close, and the proximity of the A pillar and the outside mirror blocks her line of sight. I chose the xB because it was the BEST compromise between a van and a compact car, that suited my style.

Favorite Features

All of the standard goodies, plus heated sideview mirrors. great gas mileage, a low cost, and functionality for my gal, pooch and self. The seating position and general ergonomics are great other than the radio. It has front/rear space for 5 real sized people and good seating comfort and seat height.

Suggested Improvements

It needs cruise control, adjustable pedals and/or a telescoping steering wheel, thinner A pillars, better cup holders, and functional fog lights.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Unbelievable

Written by: mark qualls on 06/30/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my xB knowing it lacked brute horsepower, but have not yet been in a situation where I needed it. It seems to have enough power and I can't believe the high speed cornering this car is capable of. It handles like a sports car, a good one. I'm going to buy another new car soon and it will be eityher a Corvette or an xB, probably the xB because "I can afford it".

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Give it more power.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Splendid little box

Written by: professor on 05/07/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The xBox is a testament to "less is more" school. It's small on the outside but big on the inside. You must sit in it to believe it. I can take three friends to lunch in comfort and still fit in the tightest parking space with ease. The xB is splendid in its simplicity, and simply splendid. It's fun to drive and gets 30 mpg. It is a great around town car, which is what I use it for.

Favorite Features

The massive amounts of interior room - all my tall friends fit right in. Panaramic view all around. Great mpg.

Suggested Improvements

It needs a telescoping steering wheel. More power is not what this car is about - if you want more power get a Civic. The xBox is also not about freeway cruising so I don't see the need for cruise control or an armrest. There are other cars better able to do that.

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Cowmuting Cube

Written by: dulcimoo on 04/30/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Purchased the box for cowmuting. (It’s “painted” in a black and white “cow” pattern) Even with four full grown men the box does well with the auto. Passing up hill is no problem if you lock out the overdrive. It deals well with the traffic on I15 and I5. I have had only two minor problems (the inside fan was making a “ticking” noise – free warranty repair, rear air dam was tweaked after some road trash – self repaired.). The MP3 CD player does well. Luggage space is a little tight when we are all off to work with all our junk, but we manage. The rear window wiper is almost useless. It goes, stops, and rocks, what more cud you want!

Favorite Features

It gets lots of looks from the heffers.

Suggested Improvements

It needs a better rear wiper. Also, it could use stronger cownections for the luggage flap so I can use it as a shelf! A factory Turbo would be cool!

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30,000 miles and counting

Written by: Chuckie on 04/18/2006

Vehicle

2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My xB's only downside is the choppy ride. I love the fact that all four tall adults can ride with their hats on and not be cramped. With the rear seats folded down, trips to Costco or the nursery are easier than in any sedan. The noise level at high speeds is about the same as in my new Odyssey.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

I had to replace the front seat bolts and stack 29 mm of washers under all four front seat supports in order to lift the seats high enough for the thigh support I needed. Adjustable seats would be a nice improvement.

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