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2009
Scion xB

Starts at:
$15,750
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 5dr Wgn Man (Natl)
    Starts at
    $15,750
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr Wgn Auto (Natl)
    Starts at
    $16,700
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 2009 Scion xB review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Bill Jackson
Full article
our expert's take

Editor’s note: This review was written in August 2009 about the 2008 Scion xB. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2009, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Where once the Scion xB was alone, the field of small, boxy cars has grown to include the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube. To be competitive, cars like these need to carry people and stuff easily and comfortably, and they must be reliable. These are the worker bees of the automotive world. Now, the xB has one major flaw and a few other issues, but overall, it’s an easy car to live with. I also think it’s a decent car for young drivers. Despite the fact that it’s not the newest car in the field, it still sets the standard. It gets the job done.

Scion redesigned the xB in 2008, but precious little has changed since then. (See a comparison of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 models here.) So new- and used-car shoppers for those model years can read the same review and get a sense of the car, no matter the year.

Interior
For starters, the boxy xB is small on the outside but massive on the inside. I did a lot of carpool duty in the xB, all of my friends are tall, and none of us felt claustrophobic. The xB is a natural pick for road trips.

Still, the seating isn’t perfect. By far, the biggest flaw of the car as a whole is that the steering-wheel position is about the worst I’ve experienced in any car. Other reviewers didn’t react as negatively, but no matter how I adjusted my seat, the steering wheel sat way too low in the dashboard, even when tilted upward. It didn’t brush my legs, but it felt as if the steering wheel was sitting on top of them. It was also too far away for comfort, and there’s no telescoping adjustment, either, so I was stuck.

The bad seating wasn’t limited to the driver: All of my front-seat passengers were unhappy that the xB didn’t have an armrest for them. If you carpool, expect to hear about the lack of an armrest — a lot.

On a positive note, when you fold the rear seats flat, you get a massive cargo area: The xB carried a bike and camping gear pretty well. The cargo area was easy to get to, thanks to a rear hatch — as opposed to a swing-out refrigerator-style door. It’s also easy to fold the second-row seats, so it’s no bother to carry a lot of cargo in the xB. Note, however, there is a lack of covered storage space in the xB. Many open bins, yes, but only the small glove box and tiny center console area are covered.

All the switches and dials for things such as the door locks, windows and heating/cooling all feel good. They won’t be confused with a luxury car’s, but you also won’t get the feeling that whatever you’re tugging, pressing or sliding is going to snap off in your hands. They’re also well laid out, so that you can find what you need quickly and use it intuitively.

Finally, visibility is what I’d call a “partial” flaw. There is a decent-sized blind spot over the driver’s right shoulder because of a large rear-roof pillar. It’s one of those things that can be an issue on the highway and in some parking situations. If you’re thinking of buying an xB, I think the one thing you must do on your test drive is include some highway driving/passing/merging and see if the blind spot is an issue for you. The rest of the visibility in the xB — out front, to the sides — was fine.

Driving Around
The steering is good for this class. In some cars, the steering is so light, you feel as if you’re playing a video game — the car reacts almost too quickly. The xB doesn’t have that problem.

While the xB is not a sports car, it moves away from the light nicely and has enough oomph for passing and merging on the highway. Our test model came with a manual five-speed transmission. First and 2nd gear are what car reviewers call “short,” which means two things: One, you have to shift from 1st into 2nd gear sooner than you would in some other cars; and two, 2nd-gear starts are really easy. In winter, a 2nd-gear start can come in handy, so to me, that’s a good trait. On the flip side, this suggests that 1st gear is lower than it needs to be, and having taller gears could improve the xB’s mileage, which is an EPA-estimated 22/28 mpg city/highway. Because of its large, 2.4-liter engine, it probably couldn’t match competitors like the Soul and Cube, but the xB could have better mileage.

What helps all of this is that the clutch is light and picks up nicely. The gearshift also moves well between the gears.

Yet, the manual transmission highlights another xB flaw: You can’t see/use the tachometer. The Scion has center-mounted gauges, which some people don’t like, but that’s not the issue. The issue is the tachometer is the same size and color as the temperature gauge and fuel gauge that sit right beside it in the instrument cluster. It also lacks an actual red line — just a filled-in section of the gauge. I never used the tach, preferring to shift by the sound of the engine or by feeling when the engine was running out of torque. That’s not ideal.

You say you don’t drive a manual? First, shame on you, but second, given that all the gauges are the same color, you’ll find it’s also hard to differentiate between, say, the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge.

Safety and Reliability
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives this generation of xB the highest rating — Good — for both the frontal- and side-impact crash tests. See the list of standard safety features here.

Consumer Reports predicts the xB’s reliability will be much better than average.

In the Market
I’ve driven all of the small, boxy cars, and the Scion is the most capable one in my book. It lacks the new, standout styling of either the Cube or the Soul, but in terms of driving, it’s the best. It’s also the most practical on the inside, offering the most usable space. It’s plenty capable on the highway with the manual transmission, its visibility is mostly good and it doesn’t demand a lot of compromises (assuming you can fit in the driver’s seat, of course).

Send Bill an email  
2009 Scion xB review: Our expert's take
By Bill Jackson

Editor’s note: This review was written in August 2009 about the 2008 Scion xB. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. To see what’s new for 2009, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

Where once the Scion xB was alone, the field of small, boxy cars has grown to include the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube. To be competitive, cars like these need to carry people and stuff easily and comfortably, and they must be reliable. These are the worker bees of the automotive world. Now, the xB has one major flaw and a few other issues, but overall, it’s an easy car to live with. I also think it’s a decent car for young drivers. Despite the fact that it’s not the newest car in the field, it still sets the standard. It gets the job done.

Scion redesigned the xB in 2008, but precious little has changed since then. (See a comparison of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 models here.) So new- and used-car shoppers for those model years can read the same review and get a sense of the car, no matter the year.

Interior
For starters, the boxy xB is small on the outside but massive on the inside. I did a lot of carpool duty in the xB, all of my friends are tall, and none of us felt claustrophobic. The xB is a natural pick for road trips.

Still, the seating isn’t perfect. By far, the biggest flaw of the car as a whole is that the steering-wheel position is about the worst I’ve experienced in any car. Other reviewers didn’t react as negatively, but no matter how I adjusted my seat, the steering wheel sat way too low in the dashboard, even when tilted upward. It didn’t brush my legs, but it felt as if the steering wheel was sitting on top of them. It was also too far away for comfort, and there’s no telescoping adjustment, either, so I was stuck.

The bad seating wasn’t limited to the driver: All of my front-seat passengers were unhappy that the xB didn’t have an armrest for them. If you carpool, expect to hear about the lack of an armrest — a lot.

On a positive note, when you fold the rear seats flat, you get a massive cargo area: The xB carried a bike and camping gear pretty well. The cargo area was easy to get to, thanks to a rear hatch — as opposed to a swing-out refrigerator-style door. It’s also easy to fold the second-row seats, so it’s no bother to carry a lot of cargo in the xB. Note, however, there is a lack of covered storage space in the xB. Many open bins, yes, but only the small glove box and tiny center console area are covered.

All the switches and dials for things such as the door locks, windows and heating/cooling all feel good. They won’t be confused with a luxury car’s, but you also won’t get the feeling that whatever you’re tugging, pressing or sliding is going to snap off in your hands. They’re also well laid out, so that you can find what you need quickly and use it intuitively.

Finally, visibility is what I’d call a “partial” flaw. There is a decent-sized blind spot over the driver’s right shoulder because of a large rear-roof pillar. It’s one of those things that can be an issue on the highway and in some parking situations. If you’re thinking of buying an xB, I think the one thing you must do on your test drive is include some highway driving/passing/merging and see if the blind spot is an issue for you. The rest of the visibility in the xB — out front, to the sides — was fine.

Driving Around
The steering is good for this class. In some cars, the steering is so light, you feel as if you’re playing a video game — the car reacts almost too quickly. The xB doesn’t have that problem.

While the xB is not a sports car, it moves away from the light nicely and has enough oomph for passing and merging on the highway. Our test model came with a manual five-speed transmission. First and 2nd gear are what car reviewers call “short,” which means two things: One, you have to shift from 1st into 2nd gear sooner than you would in some other cars; and two, 2nd-gear starts are really easy. In winter, a 2nd-gear start can come in handy, so to me, that’s a good trait. On the flip side, this suggests that 1st gear is lower than it needs to be, and having taller gears could improve the xB’s mileage, which is an EPA-estimated 22/28 mpg city/highway. Because of its large, 2.4-liter engine, it probably couldn’t match competitors like the Soul and Cube, but the xB could have better mileage.

What helps all of this is that the clutch is light and picks up nicely. The gearshift also moves well between the gears.

Yet, the manual transmission highlights another xB flaw: You can’t see/use the tachometer. The Scion has center-mounted gauges, which some people don’t like, but that’s not the issue. The issue is the tachometer is the same size and color as the temperature gauge and fuel gauge that sit right beside it in the instrument cluster. It also lacks an actual red line — just a filled-in section of the gauge. I never used the tach, preferring to shift by the sound of the engine or by feeling when the engine was running out of torque. That’s not ideal.

You say you don’t drive a manual? First, shame on you, but second, given that all the gauges are the same color, you’ll find it’s also hard to differentiate between, say, the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge.

Safety and Reliability
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives this generation of xB the highest rating — Good — for both the frontal- and side-impact crash tests. See the list of standard safety features here.

Consumer Reports predicts the xB’s reliability will be much better than average.

In the Market
I’ve driven all of the small, boxy cars, and the Scion is the most capable one in my book. It lacks the new, standout styling of either the Cube or the Soul, but in terms of driving, it’s the best. It’s also the most practical on the inside, offering the most usable space. It’s plenty capable on the highway with the manual transmission, its visibility is mostly good and it doesn’t demand a lot of compromises (assuming you can fit in the driver’s seat, of course).

Send Bill an email  

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2009 Scion xB base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
5/5
Side rear passenger
5/5

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

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  • 2005
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Consumer reviews

4.4 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.3
Interior 4.1
Performance 4.3
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.4
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • Cute and useful

    I've had this car for 2 years with my dealer and only had one issue replacing the throttle body. Big expense but worth it. Easy to maintain car. Mostly electric is some areas but I love the worker bee approach for the car. Small but roomy. I still prefer the Nissan cube but this one is close. I'm on the plus size side so roominess is important. There just aren't enough cup holders lol.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • RELIABLE CAR

    THE CAR MET MY NEEDS AND WAS BEYOND WHAT I EXPECTED FOR A USED CAR. VERY ECONOMIC CAR IN GAS USES VERY SPACY FOR THE FAMILY.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Gets me where I need to go don’t have problems

    The car met all my needs and has plenty of leg room don’t have major problems just keep up with the maintenance long rd trip the seats do get uncomfortable
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The Fantastic Scion xB

    The Scion xB is an underrated vehicle. This vehicle offers a lot of car and utility for the money. Drive one and you will be convinced.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great reliable car

    This car was great for me for years and highly reliable. Way more spacious then you'd think. Just got to small for a larger family.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • May be the best vehicle I've ever owned

    152k miles, no major repairs. Since I have a lead foot that's pretty amazing. After 10 years I still enjoy driving it. One of the few cars I'd buy again.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most Reliable Car I've Ever Owned.

    Impeccable Reliability. Drives like a motorcycle its so peppy... I LOVE THIS CAR. I am 5'8 and uncomfortable in the seating. This is my only complaint and I simply can not get it right for comfort. The car is so amazing in its performance and reliability that I continue to put up with the discomfort.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 10 years and 150K+ miles stile runs great.

    When I first bought my car I was switching from a n SUV to a car. The surprising thing was the seats did not set as low a normal car which I liked since I just switched from a bigger vehicle. The scion has been very reliable and gets great gas mileage and looks cool too.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very Economic and Dependable

    I love this car! Reliable, Dependable, Economical. Downside, front windshield frame on driver's side is obstructing, also the noise levels are a bit loud. Overall I am very HAPPY with the Scion XB.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Cool looking car

    This car was a great example of a starter car. It transformed itself into whatever I needed, space for friends/family, space for luggage/trees/boards. And was relatively fuel efficient and cool looking.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Recently purchased and loving it

    I'm really enjoying driving a manual transmission again. Bought this car for a roomier family car and it fits the bill. The back seat is spacious and the trunk holds the stroller and more. I plan to add a roof rack soon so we can take the Scion on road trips and camping.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Love this Car!

    This was my first car I ever purchased. I love everything about it. It has been extremely reliable and functional. When people sit in the back seat of my car, they always comment on how roomy the back seat is! It's an awesome first car!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2009 Scion xB?

The 2009 Scion xB is available in 1 trim level:

  • (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2009 Scion xB?

The 2009 Scion xB offers up to 22 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2009 Scion xB?

The 2009 Scion xB compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2009 Scion xB reliable?

The 2009 Scion xB has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2009 Scion xB owners.

Is the 2009 Scion xB a good Wagon?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2009 Scion xB. 93.6% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.3
  • Interior: 4.1
  • Performance: 4.3
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.4
  • Reliability: 4.7

Scion xB history

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