Despite tiny proportions for a boxy four-door
with hatchback-style back door, the xA looks progressive,
even daring. It stands tall like a cubistic bubble
on wheels that seems to tip forward due to the
high tail and low nose united by the arching roofline.
Inside, the cabin floor dips low so you can step
aboard easily, and the ceiling bows high to fit
tall chair-like seats. Power comes from a 1.5-liter
four-cylinder engine that reaches 108 hp through
a manual five-speed shifter or optional four-speed
automatic. Toyota offers multiple components to
customize the exterior package - fog lamps, a
tail spoiler, a roof rack and sports parts from
Toyota Racing Development (TRD).
More fun comes
on the inside with a six-speaker audio system
by Pioneer with digital sound processing and a
CD deck capable of playing MP3 files. Custom goods
include a six-disc CD changer with audio display
illumination that changes among ten colors, subwoofer
by Bazooka Mobile Audio, LED light kit by Luxaura
and sport pedals by OBX Racing Sports. Also, the
xA Release Series 1.0 special edition, painted
in bright Absolutely Red, packs a sports grille,
moonroof and vehicle stability control (VSC) with
traction control (TRAC). |
Built on a platform used for the bB wagon sold
strictly in Japan, this low-slung and boxy panel
van resembles a cool California surfer's custom-crafted
wagon. Like the xA, the xB draws from a 1.5-liter
four-cylinder engine borrowed from Toyota's Echo.
It puts up 108 hp through a manual five-speed
or optional automatic four-speed and earns notable
fuel economy numbers above 30 mpg. Affordable
price points for well-equipped models is the big
idea behind the Scion badge, and the xB fits that
descriptive with standard equipment like air conditioning;
power for windows, door locks and mirrors; anti-lock
brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) and VSC; plus an audio kit
with CD deck that plays MP3 files. The xB wagon
also offers custom gear on the option sheet, as
well as side-impact air bags. There's a special
edition - the xB Release Series -- coated in vibrant
orange paint. |
This slick car resembles a slinky coupe although
there's a gate on the tail so it brings the versatility
of a hatchback. It has a monochromatic face as
flanks go flat but fenders emphasize wheel arches
with sculptured rims. And that roof -- it's virtually
all glass in the form of a panorama-style power
moonroof.
The cabin feels airy and spacious, despite
dimensions of a subcompact. Driver and a companion
sit on contoured buckets separated by a metal-tone
console swooping down from the center of the dashboard.
Rear seats recline and adjust to ten different
positions for comfort or fold down to increase
storage space in the back cargo bay. Power for
the tC flows from a lively 2.4-liter four-in-line
engine with dual cams. The plant produces 160
hp and links to a manual five-speed or electronically-controlled
four-speed automatic transmission.
For enthusiasts,
the tC offers a TRD supercharger kit to boost
the juice to 200 hp. Other TRD add-on gear ranges
from stiffer/shorter springs to a struts/shocks
kit, performance clutch and special wide-lip Racing
Hart wheels at 19 inches with high-performance
Pirelli P Zero tires. |