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2009 Scion xB Safety Review

November 12, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, front impact protection and rollover resistance; five stars, side impact protection
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset and side impacts; "good," rear crash protection
IIHS

One downside to the new design is reduced visibility
MyRide.com

Except for frontal-impact crash protection, the 2009 Scion xB earns high marks in government impact and rollover resistance tests.

In government and independent crash tests, the xB Scion performs remarkably well for a compact car, scoring either the highest or second-highest ratings in all major crash-test categories. NHTSA gives the 2009 Scion xB four out of five stars for front impact occupant protection, and a perfect five stars for side impacts. The IIHS also awards the 2009 Scion xB its highest score of "good" for frontal offset, side, and rear collisions.

Toyota has decided that Scion should offer great safety value for the money, and the xB is a shining example. Edmunds approves of the xB Scion's "impressive array of standard safety features including antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." ForbesAutos feels "braking is secure" thanks, in part, to "electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist functions." However, in some regards, they may have gone a little overboard on the 2009 Scion xB. In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, many reviewers feel that the stability control system on the Scion xB is too eager to intervene, with Automobile Magazine warning that "if extreme yaw angles are detected, the system will rain on your parade even after you've switched it off." The system re-engages once vehicle speed reaches 35 mph. The 2008 Scion xB (essentially the same as the 2009 model) was awarded as a "Top Ten Safe Vehicle for Less Than $25,000" by Car and Driver.

Visibility in the 2009 xB gets fair marks in various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Kelley Blue Book notes that the wide "pillars at the back end of the car create a bit of a blind spot that some drivers may not like," with ConsumerGuide saying that the "pillars complicate rear visibility." On the other hand, Edmunds is confident daily commuters will find the xB Scion offers "good visibility...for everyday driving." AutoWeek reports that the "much wider rear pillar...didn't bother us at all" and praises "the visibility through all that glass."

Conclusion

The 2009 Scion xB includes many high-end standard safety features and good occupant protection, and considering its price, it puts many higher-cost vehicles to shame.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, front impact protection and rollover resistance; five stars, side impact protectionNHTSAGood," frontal offset and side impacts; "good," rear crash protectionIIHSOne downside to the new design is reduced visibilityMyRide.com Except for frontal-impact crash protection, the 2009 Scion xB earns high marks in government impact and rollover resistance tests. In government and independent crash tests, the xB Scion performs remarkably well for a compact car, scoring either the highest or second-highest ratings in all major crash-test categories. NHTSA gives the 2009 Scion xB four out of five stars for front impact occupant protection, and a perfect five stars for side impacts. The IIHS also awards the 2009 Scion xB its highest score of "good" for frontal offset, side, and rear collisions. Toyota has decided that Scion should offer great safety value for the money, and the xB is a shining example. Edmunds approves of the xB Scion's "impressive array of standard safety features including antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags." ForbesAutos feels "braking is secure" thanks, in part, to "electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist functions." However, in some regards, they may have gone a little overboard on the 2009 Scion xB. In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, many reviewers feel that the stability control system on the Scion xB is too eager to intervene, with Automobile Magazine warning that "if extreme yaw angles are detected, the system will rain on your parade even after you've switched it off." The system re-engages once vehicle speed reaches 35 mph. The 2008 Scion xB (essentially the same as the 2009 model) was awarded as a "Top Ten Safe Vehicle for Less Than $25,000" by Car and Driver. Visibility in the 2009 xB gets fair marks in various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Kelley Blue Book notes that the wide "pillars at the back end of the car create a bit of a blind spot that some drivers may not like," with ConsumerGuide saying that the "pillars complicate rear visibility." On the other hand, Edmunds is confident daily commuters will find the xB Scion offers "good visibility...for everyday driving." AutoWeek reports that the "much wider rear pillar...didn't bother us at all" and praises "the visibility through all that glass." ConclusionThe 2009 Scion xB includes many high-end standard safety features and good occupant protection, and considering its price, it puts many higher-cost vehicles to shame.  2009 SCION XB STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "unchanged for 2009" Kelley Blue Book: "noticeably rounder and larger" Car and Driver: "just not very cool" After its 2008 redesign, the Scion xB is unchanged for 2009 except for one new color choice. The styling of the Scion-brand ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Not much has changed for the Chrysler PT Cruiser in nearly a decade, and while that retro-flavored wagon is sorely outdated, it still has design appeal to some and has found a cult following in high-school parking lots. Though the xB is only offered in a single model, the PT still comes with choice of four-cylinder and turbo-four powertrains, plus a convertible model. The Chevrolet HHR takes the same formula and gives it nearly identical powertrains, plus a little crisper styling. The new MINI Cooper Clubman is considerably more expensive than the others, but it has a third half-sized door on the passenger side and cargo doors to make loading and unloading easier. The Clubman also has an on-the-road character that’s a lot sportier, for those who enjoy twisty paths.

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See the Scion xB in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (4 total)

  1. By jack #1, Posted: 3/21/2009

    Sicon xb for family?

    Look very interesting... Is it good for a family of 4?

  2. By jack #2, Posted: 3/21/2009

    Sicon xb for family?

    Look very interesting... Is it good for a family of 4?

  3. By Mr.Charles Anthony #3, Posted: 8/23/2009

    Readers: I own-and love- my 06 Scion. In the view of this owner, I would not take the New Generation xB for free-with 10years worth of petrol! They killed the MPG(I get 38mpg on the highway, with my 06). Then they cut down the roof, and removed two rear quarter windows. That darkens the interior, and looses some visibility. And why, pray, only one back up light? If they want to improve it, make the center instrument cluster gimbled; better front seats, more steering wheel positions, but leave the basic alone. That was the success of the Old VW Beetle. Once they compromized that, the Bug went away; to return as a "Speedy Gonzales" Bug, and the death of the true VW Beetle. Wake Up Toyota!you had a good thing going; with the New Generation xB you will have a 'dust catcher' on the showroom floor.

  4. By Joe #4, Posted: 11/22/2009

    Electric steering sounds wonderful, but I am concerned whether there is a backup means of steering in case of any electrical or component electrical failure.
    Steering ranks right up there in priority with brakes to stop the car as critical safety items.
    I'd hate to think that something as routine as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker could result in total loss of steering control.
    So I need to know what the backup plan is for the unlikely eventuality of any failure in the electrical steering system.
    I would hate to think that the electrical steering system is "blue sky" and has not considered the contingency of failure in the primary electical steering system.
    Regards,
    Joe

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