Used 2012 Scion xB for sale 

The Scion xB was offered in just single trim until 2011, the Base variant. This year there’s a new limited edition called the Release Series 9.0, of which only 1,500 will be produced. Both the versions come with some standard features like keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a six-speaker Pioneer sound system.

We Recommend

Although there are two trims offered, the Limited edition gets some additional features like new paint color and faux suede upholstery, while the powertrain remains the same. If these features mean a lot to you and you can get a hand on one of the limited 1,500 cars, you’ll want to buy the 9.0. Else, go with the base variant.

The 2012 Scion xB houses a 2.4-liter inline 4 engine that makes 158 horses of power and 162 lb.-ft of torque. It’s mated to a five-speed manual transmission by default and a four-speed automatic transmission can be availed for some extra bucks.

It comes mated to a front-wheel-drivetrain. In terms of performance, the Scion xB with the 2.4-liter L4 engine can reach 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, while its quarter-mile performance is not known. In the top speed test, the 2012 Scion xB records 123 MPH.

In comparison, both the Kia Soul and Hyundai Tucson are equipped with a 1.6 and 2.0-liter L4 engine with 138 and 165 horses of power, respectively. All cars in the segment are mated as front-wheel-drive variants only. The Kia Soul takes 9.2 seconds to hit 60 mph and 16.4 seconds for the quarter-mile, while the Tucson clocks 9.7 seconds and 17.1 seconds respectively in the acceleration test and quarter-mile run.

The gas mileage of Scion xB is disappointing when compared with other contemporaries. It offers a mileage of 22 mpg on the city roads and 28 mpg on the highway with a combined mileage of 24 mpg. It features a fuel tank of 14 gallons capacity, which is about average in this segment. With full tank capacity, the Scion xB can run for 308 miles in the city and 392 miles on the highway.

When compared, the Kia Soul is most efficient, averaging 27 MPG. The Hyundai Tucson offers 22 mpg combined. The Kia Soul and Hyundai Tucson don a fuel tank of 12.7 and 14.5 gallons, respectively, which is about average in this segment. In terms of range, both cars perform similar to that of the Scion xB.

The 2012 Scion xB has a spacious and well-designed interior that gets complex with digital controls. It has a center-mounted speedometer that's a bit baffled. The gauge cluster sits on a black shade that increases the visibility. The interior is straightforward, but the misplaced gauge cluster is a setback that elderly people can’t get used to instantly.

Behind the wheel, we get to sit in well-composed seats that are made with leather upholstery and can be optioned up to faux-suede upholstery. And yeah, we get a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel that is well balanced and feels premium. It offers generous legroom that can seat 5 large adults with ease. It offers a cargo space of 21 cu.-ft with rear seats in place and 70 cu.-ft when the rear seats were folded. 

In comparison, the Kia Soul and Hyundai Tucson can also seat 5 people. The Soul offers ample cargo space of 23.7 cu.ft. whereas the Tucson offers 25.7 cu.-ft of cargo space, which is the largest in this segment. When comparing the legroom in the second row, Kia Soul offers the most at 39 inches. Some salient interior features of Scion xB include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Standard upholstery leather seats
• Cruise control
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls

2012 Scion xB’s infotainment system

The infotainment system in the 2012 Scion xB is not so intuitive at first sight, but as we dig deeper, we get to understand the motive of the controls and knobs. The infotainment system is designed especially for the younger generation who are well aware of tech. It features a six-speaker pioneer sound system with a CD player, HD Radio, and an auxiliary audio jack. Some other salient features include:

• Six-speaker pioneer sound system
• Bluetooth Connectivity for phone and audio streaming
• CD Player
• HD Radio
• iPod connectivity and MP3 jack
• USB audio input

The Scion xB has seen a second-generation design outing in 2011. The 2012 model regains the same design that looks boxy with soft-cornered edges. The sides are flat that bulge up at the middle that's covered by a long, flat roof.

The front fascia wears a honeycomb grille and headlamps at the edges. The Scion xB has a total curb weight of 3,027 lbs. It is 167.3 inches long and sports a wheelbase of 102.4 inches. It is 69.3 inches wide, which is pretty compact in this segment. While its ground clearance is 5.1 inches, the Scion xB stands at a total height of 63.4 inches.

In the competition, the Hyundai Tucson is the heaviest car in the segment, while the Kia Soul is the lightest, weighing 3,366 and 2,800 lbs, respectively. The Hyundai Tucson is 173.2 inches long, and it holds the best wheelbase in the competition at 103.9 inches. The Soul is 161.6 inches long with a wheelbase of 100.4 inches. Some standout exterior features of the Scion xB include:

• 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
• Chrome exhaust tip
• Auto-dimming mirror
• Side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• All-season tires

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has given a “Good” rating for all the crash tests of 2012 Scion xB. All the variants of Scion xB come equipped with some standard features like traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. In the deceleration test, the Scion xB came to halt from 60 mph in 124 feet. Some other safety specifications include:

• Stability control & traction control
• Anti-lock brakes
• Adaptive headlights
• Anti-theft Alarm System
• Front-seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags

The 2012 Scion xB with its unconventional styling may not appeal to a large set of audiences, but it delivers a pleasant drive experience with some premium audio options that make it a better choice than its rivals. When comparing performance with the rivals, the Scion xB has decent performance figures to give hefty competition. In the end, if you are looking for a car with practicality glued to it, Scion xB will be a great choice in the segment.