Given the brief glance that was allowed, the fit and finish of the interior components were up to Toyota's standards. Although, I just didn't like the center-mounted black-on-white speedometer and white-on-black odometer on the xA. They are not where the eye naturally falls (behind the steering wheel), and it made me feel that Toyota couldn't figure out what color they wanted the gauges to be.
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| The boxy 2003 xB is Scion's answer to providing its buyers with a vehicle that looks somewhat like a cross between a sport utility vehicle and a van. With very little tumblehome on the sides or from this side angle, it looks like a box on wheels, yet features a lot of room inside. (Photo: Toyota) |
The xB has a big, fat circular instrument cluster that is slightly off center with the steering wheel with the black-on-white speedometer and a smaller rpm gauge (odometer) tucked into it. This was a bit better looking.
For those who like to have additional storage room, not only does the rear seat fold flat, but so does the front passenger seat. Now this is a decent feature, although the Scion models aren't the first on the market with this level of flexibility.
The radio and heating and cooling controls are easy to reach and pretty straight forward. And, the seats were fairly comfy and offered good legroom in the front and back.
Both the xA and the xB had an excellent turning radius, able to make tight, low speed turns. You can do a U-turn on a narrow side street without having to stop, backup and move forward again.