See All Station Wagons

2010 Scion xB

Base MSRP: $15,850 to $18,320
Reviewed
June 2010
2010 Scion xB

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Top safety scores
  • Very roomy
  • Reputation for reliability
  • Retains value well
Cons
  • Costs more than newer rivals
  • Exterior styling has lost its edge
  • Fuel economy
  • Thick roof pillars impair visibility
  • Mixed reviews for performance, handling
Where to Buy
 
 

The five-passenger Scion xB invented the modern box-shaped wagon category, but critics now praise newer versions -- including the 2010 Nissan Cube (Base MSRP: $13,990 to $20,440) and top-rated 2010 Kia Soul (Base MSRP: $13,300 to $17,195) -- for being cheaper, edgier and more fuel-efficient. The 2010 xB carries over essentially unchanged from the 2009 model. For a detailed review of that vehicle, consult our page on the 2009 Scion xB (*Est. $15,750 to $16,700).

The 2011 Scion xB (Base MSRP: $16,000), just arriving in showrooms, gets refreshed exterior styling that parent company Toyota calls "more aggressive," as well as a redesigned cabin. Its base MSRP is $150 higher than the 2010 version.

Fuel economy for the 2010 Scion xB lags behind its Kia and Nissan rivals, at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined with either the five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. This carries over from 2009, along with the xB's 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive.

Standard safety features are on par with other wagons: front, front-side and curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction and stability control. Like its Kia and Nissan competitors, the xB is a Top Safety Pick at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with the highest rating of Good in all front, side, rear and rollover roof-strength tests. In government crash tests, the xB earns the highest 5-star ratings in side crashes and 4 stars for frontal-crash protection and rollover avoidance -- again, on par with its rivals.

Base MSRP for the 2010 Scion xB starts at $15,850, climbing to $18,320 for the limited-edition Release Series 7.0.
expand
collapse
Where To Buy

Free Price Quote for 2010 Scion xB
 

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Only the stereo has changed in the 2010 Scion xB, Edmunds.com says. Editors evaluate every major aspect of the xB. They like its practical passenger and cargo space, but note that it's not very fuel-efficient and "the unconventional styling isn't for everyone."

Review: 2010 Scion xB Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. FuelEconomy.gov

This chart makes it easy to compare the fuel economies of most 2010 small wagons. This website run by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy rates both the manual and automatic transmission versions of the Scion xB.

Review: 2010 Station Wagons, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

This chart shows how 28 small cars (including small wagons and hatchbacks) compare in terms of safety. The 2010 Scion xB wagon is named a Top Safety Pick, with good scores in every crash test at this nonprofit agency.

Review: Small Cars, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

4. SaferCar.gov

This government crash-test website lists the Scion xB under the Toyota name (Scion's parent company) in the SUV category. The xB rates on par with most wagons, with perfect 5-star side-crash ratings and 4-star ratings for frontal-crash protection and rollover resistance.

Review: 2010 Toyota Scion xB, Editors of SaferCar.gov

5. ConsumerSearch.com

Because the 2010 Scion xB carries over basically unchanged from 2009, our comprehensive review of that model still applies. It includes links to a variety of credible third-party sources for additional research.

Review: 2009 Scion xB, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, March 2009

6. Toyota

This Toyota press release details the new pricing and styling changes to the 2011 Scion xB, which is now arriving in showrooms.

Review: Scion Announces Pricing for Restyled 2011 xB, Toyota Public Relations, March 16, 2010

Back to top