2004 Scion xB Review
Fuel Economy
28 - 29 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
The 2004 Scion xB looks like nothing else on the market and it can haul serious amounts of people and cargo. A must-drive if you're light on cash but don't travel light.
Pros
Massive interior for its size, unusual mini-truck styling, long list of standard equipment, comes with stability control, handles well for a budget-priced vehicle.
Cons
The cool stuff costs extra, modest passing power with automatic transmission, can't get xA's side airbags, no cruise control.
What's New for 2004
In an effort to get buyers under 30 into its dealerships, Toyota launches an all-new division called Scion. The brand will eventually grow to three models, but for now two are offered, one of these a boxy, attention-getting vehicle called the xB. Scion will use a no-haggle sales strategy and give buyers ample opportunity to customize their xBs, drawing upon a list of over three dozen dealer-installed options.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
I still love it!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I loved this car the first time I sat in it. The placement of the instruments, the amazing interior room, the outstanding visibility is great. I am 6'7" and have 6" head clearance as the driver and my 6'9" son can sit behind me without having his knees in my back or his head on the ceiling. I've been in quite a few different SUVs, and NONE have had as much room for 5 adults as the xB. My only gripe is the steering wheel does impinge on the leg room a bit, but that happens with virtually every car I've driven except large luxury cars. It handles well, and has a great feel for the road, though can be a bit of a rough ride if you are used to luxury rides. The storage space is minimal.
Favorite Features
There are many, but the great visibility, sensible, but unusual instrument display and headroom are probably the top 3. Love the 30 mpg as well.
Suggested Improvements
My biggest suggestion is to go back to the original design. the new ones seem to have lost some of the best features, though the storage room is improved.
140K Upright Go-Kart
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
140K and still tight! Handling is very nimble. Vehicle stability control works great in the snow when driving on snow and anybody spins out in front of you (or when deer shoot out from nowhere on dark rural wet roads like where I live. VSC compliments the ABS, EBD & TRAC control. The shape makes it look lower than what it actually is (measure it!). It has the same ground clearance as my Corolla). VERY good in snow I run all season tires all the way around and if the snow is substantial I'll lower the tire pressure on the front tires to 26lbs and it's super stable and tracks great. I'm impressed and I live in a very rural area with many hills (ski resort area in northern NJ).
Favorite Features
Lots of room & handling. RELIABLE!!!
Suggested Improvements
Improve it by bringing it back! I wish I had another one :(
Crash Worthy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Just totaled my XB (04/19/08) with a head-on crash with a Dodge Dakota P-up (airbags deployed). The drivers area was in perfect shape. The front end was crushed to the base of the windshield. Crumple zones worked as advertised. I walked away as did my 4 year old son who was strapped in his child seat in the back passenger side. I'm back in the market to buy another one(2004-2006). 2008 XB's look like they were designed by the Michelin Man...Yuck!
Favorite Features
Survivability! 32 MPG on the highway/30MPH around town. Large back seat. Great brakes even though the rears are drums.
Suggested Improvements
Factory cruise control(I had dealer installed/after market). Rear cargo dome light. Side airbags(on 2008 models)
Just Crashed my 2004 Scion XB
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I wrecked my 2004 XB 4/18/08. Front head-on crash with a midsize Dodge pick-up. Air bags popped. My XB is a right-off! Crumple zones worked as designed. There was no intrusion into the passenger area at all. I walked away with only seat belt marks and a bump on my right shin. My 4 year old son was in the back seat in his child seat and only had a shoulder belt mark and was okay. I'm a 41 year old commercial pilot and liked the styling (in Japan a lot) with a practical Corolla drive line. I'm looking for another 2004/05 XB ASAP.
Favorite Features
I got 31 MPG on the highway at 75 MPH. Fantastic front/backseat and interior passenger room. Everything you need and nothing you have to pay for that you don't want. Very little highway wind noise. Crash survivability!
Suggested Improvements
Another a/c power jack up front, and one in the rear. Rear dick breaks. Hate the new 2008 XB's. The front end looks like it was designed by the Michelin man and mileage dropped(The biggest plus in the first generation XB)
The ultimate city car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is by far the best car I've ever owned. Low maintenance and very simple in it's layouts, technical features and style. I bough it in the sates cuz you can't buy them in Canada, and it had 80K mil on the meter and I noticed that the engine had been over worked by the looks of it but still it has excellent go and acceleration. If you live in a big city with narrow streets and don't drive on the high way or the freeway allot nothing over 120 km...um 70 mph I think, then this car will be perfect even as a family car but if you commute to work and drive allot on the highway then this car is not for you.
Favorite Features
Very roomy, the gauges and the rest of the operation panel is simple and stylish and it works excellent. Very good factory sound system.
Suggested Improvements
Bad on Highways, though that is not an improvement.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2010 Scion xB
- 2009 Scion xB
- 2008 Scion xB
- 2006 Scion xB
- 2005 Scion xB
- 2004 Scion xB
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