Used 2005 Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
Used xB for sale
long lasting toyota product
Pat, Lewiston, ID, 01/21/2017
updated 10/28/2022
Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful
Bought this car brand new in 2005. has about 260,000 on it now. bought it because I have three sons over 6 feet tall and this seemed to be the only car at the time that could easily accommodate the height of all us in both the front and rear seats without being crowded. repairs on this car are extremely minimum...I have replaced the water pump, rear wheel bearing, climate control selector cable, and drivers window motor. The belts systems on these cars seem to be a week point, I can never seem to keep them tight enough to avoid squealing in cold weather. The climate control selector is also a weak point, as it always seems to be a bit loose and inaccurate. The paint chips easily and due to the upright position of the windshield it also tends to attract rock chips. The engine is underpowered and on hills on my way to work it has to work hard and turns 4,000 rpm just to keep up to speed. This is a great in-town car, but is not a great highway/trip car. The XBs do not come with cruise control (really, electric windows, but no cruise control?). They also do not come with a center arm rest, which is needed. Road noise is deafening, which is a shame because the stereo system is pretty good...just can't hear it much on the open road. Driving comfort is grueling for anything more than short jaunts around town. Ride is harsh. Don't get me wrong, this is a very well constructed car, and long lasting. It is by far needs the least maintenance of any car I have owned. UPDATE: 8-4-19 - I hit 345,000 this summer, still running strong. Uses about a quart of oil between oil changes (changed every 4,000 miles) inside materials are holding up well...no rips tears in the seats and they show very little wear. Decided to replace it with a Toyota Rav 4 and gave the XB to my son. will see how many more miles it will last while in the family. UPDATE 8-27-20 - my son is still driving...is creeping up on the 350,000 mark. Still runs and drives well with no major repairs needed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
250,000 miles and still going.
bigtbronco951, 05/29/2012
Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
I bought my 05 xb used toward the end of 05 with 23,000 miles on it. Mine is the bright yellow release series. Since i`ve owned it i have driven the crap out of it! Taken it to Las Vegas countless number of times and on several oyher road trips since 05 and it has never let me down. Car averages around 31 mpg hwy so long as i put super in it. Have done a few aftermarket upgrades to it and by far the best one was the Magnaflow exhaust system.Woke the little box up like you would not beleive! As far as reliability...awesome! still on the original clutch. Change oil regularly. gonna try and see if it`ll go 500,000 with no major work.
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2005 SCION XB
05XBINSC, 03/06/2010
Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought my XB new in 2005 because I got tired of working on my previous car a Ford/Mazda Probe GT. Big change in terms of power and handling but I adjusted fairly easy. I find myself driving the XB HARD so I can't really complain about 28MPG, that being said, after 58K miles I have had not one single mechanical problem! I had a small chip in the windshield in the first month, used a "repair kit" and did not have to replace that until Jan of 2009. Getting ready to replace my 2nd set of tires. Lots of interior room, poor interior lighting, good seating position, good (not great) stereo. Buzzy on the highway, could use an extra gear, or "taller" 5th. Great value for the money! Paid 13,750.
Swiss army knife of cars, the XB Utility vehicle
Randy Lahey, Battle Creek, MI, 08/01/2017
Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I've daily driven my Scion for over 40,000 miles so you better know I'm an expert on it. In short for potential buyers: The XB is as reliable as the sunrise and more practical than a minivan for daily operation and frequent trips. It's not fast, 0-60 happens in 9 seconds flat, with the manual, which isn't as bad as you think considering the weed wacker under the hood. Seats 5- 'comfortable with each other' individuals, or four NBA STARS. Headroom and rear storage space is unmatched and un-believable in a car that can get 40mpg while remaining fun, stylish, (if you're into the look) and reliable. It takes turns like any other fun small car would despite the high seating position but low clearance, and throttle response is instantaneous. Oh yeah, AND it does snow fine. Here's MY experience with the xB. In my years, it's never broken down or failed to start once, basic maintenance, original engine and 5 speed manual after 277,000 miles and it STILL does not feel like it's worn out. Think about that for a second. This car has gone to Saturn's rings and back, and has had over $14,000 worth of fuel dumped into it and to my knowledge has shown no trouble. I'm not trying to be dramatic, just think about that. Mine, and another I've driven both have the same acceleration and fuel economy. About that, this car may not be fast, in fact it's so slow my 2nd gen Honda Odyssey would gap it in seconds like dog launching off a deck after a squirrel. Even so, the 5 speed makes it FEEL fast or at least fun. It was my first stick and set the standard for literally every other car I will ever own, I mean I'm never owning another automatic besides my Astro and Odyssey. This car is a gem, a gem like you would never know unless you've been with it for 50,000 miles and across half the world pretty much. This car is like a '90s Honda Civic for people who need to haul more stuff or people, both of which this comically shaped car does great. You might not think a box on wheels sounds like a good idea, but think of it as a sub compact van that works in urban areas and returns great economy. With the rear seats removed, which can be done fairly easily, it's eerie how much you can fit in the back, when you step back and look at the car's size and height. Speaking of a car this size, gas mileage is what you would expect; 30 city, done deal, even if you drive it like I drive it. 35 highway, and chill out and don't pass everyone and you're over 40, easy. Also easy is this car, which being my first manual made it real easy. Clutch is forgiving and simple, but tight and can be difficult not to squeal the wheels when in traffic on a hill, especially since it's so light. The car itself, is also very light, it feels like it's 2,000lbs even but it's actually 2,600lbs with me inside it. I'm 5'11" 200lbs by the way, and my neighbor is 6'6" and fits in the BACK SEAT with room to spare. I wasn't joking about NBA stars. What have I put into it? Less than $500 for about three minor repairs. Rear hatch latch is an electronic button that opens the door, and it WILL break and you will need to replace that. My car having 270k on it with original suspension buckles and bounds whenever I turn in, so replace those shocks, it drives SO much better and more planted. Even with my off road suspension, I feel safe and secure driving it. The worst part about the car is also my favorite part about the car, the manual transmission. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's here, but it's nothing to write home about. It's not a Honda gearbox and it never will be. It's clunky and doesn't like to be shifted hard and rough like a Honda would. This may not be a 'car enthusiast' car but it can be a car guy car, or a utility car, or a first car, up to you, and considering you can get all this for like $1-4 grand, it's one of my all time favorite cars ever made, and it really is a shame it got publicity over it's appearance rather than it's utility and fun. It's not perfect, but in a world of ticky tacky crossovers all the same, there are worse cars you could buy.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My Box
mwj12487, 03/02/2009
Scion xB 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I financed this car with less than 23k miles on it, and so far have about 54k on it. In that time I haven't had to replace anything but a blown tire and a headlight bulb. Scion, although marketed towards those of us in the younger generations, I find to be majorly consumed by those of you in your early to late 50's. The Toyota reliability is completely apparent. If you are searching for a great commuter car that slowly sips on the gas, the Scion xB might just be your heaven-sent. If you are looking for a speed-demon, a luxury soaked dream cruise, look someplace else. Although I adore my "foxy box", it doesn't ever trick you into believing it's anywhere above an economy car.