2005 SCION XB NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Scion xB?
All 2005 Scion xBs are now equipped with a new 160-watt, six-speaker Pioneer sound system prepped for XM satellite radio. The new stereo includes Scion Sound Processing with three pre-set equalizer settings, a customizable screen, and Sound Retouch digital equalization for clearer MP3-CD sound quality. After the first of the year, a new Scion xB Release Series 2.0 became available, painted Solar Yellow and including several exterior and interior trim differences. The Release Series 2.0 includes side mirrors with integrated turn signals, a rear spoiler, a mesh front grille, a sport muffler, special interior trim, and a special numbered plaque. Scion will sell 2,500 examples of this unique xB, which adds $1,375 to the base price.

Advantages of the 2005 Scion xB:

• Full load of standard equipment
• Myriad ways to customize to the buyer's tastes
• Reliability is expected to mirror products by parent company Toyota
• Tremendous interior utility with more room for people and things than you might expect
• Funky design proves just the canvass for Gen Y'ers needing to express their individuality

Objections to the 2005 Scion xB:

• Engine could use a can or two of Red Bull
• Adding dealer-installed accessories causes the price to rise dramatically

Editor's Advice:
Generation Y Californians were the guinea pigs for an entire auto producing and marketing industry that wanted to see if Toyota's new Scion brand would successfully convince younger consumers to visit Scion showrooms and buy Scion automobiles. Scion dealer environment? Enticing. Music played at Scion events? Thumping. Sneaky, underground subculture marketing campaign? Fascinating. But it is and always will be about the product. Scion cars? Pretty good to drive. Appropriately funky design. Impressive predicted reliability. And it's not just the kids that like 'em. But with just a few dealer-installed accessories, the xB's price rises dangerously close to the larger, more powerful and equally useful Honda Element.