It's been a good many months and at least 8,000 miles since we last gave an update on our Scion xB's long-term fuel economy. I have to report that we haven't improved our numbers. In fact, we've done a little worse than our last reported figures. Lifetime average is now at 23.5 mpg (down from 23.9), just half a point below the EPA combined estimate of 24...
Not great, not bad, just what's expected.
I also wanted to take a moment to praise the xB's air conditioning/heating vents on the dash. They’ve won my HVAC heart for the following reasons:
> They can be closed completely.
> They can rotate 360 degrees, making directional airflow fantastically adjustable.
> Operation is smooth and the plastic feels high-quality.
It's a seemingly small thing, but getting the cold or hot air blowing in just the right direction can be the difference between a comfortable, road-focused driver and a road-weary grouch. Plus it's fun to spin the vents 'round and 'round at stoplights to pass the time. Like a record, baby...
Bryn MacKinnon @ 19,120 miles
2002blksle says:
10:34 AM, 06/ 6/08
My 98 Grand Am and 03 Mazda6 had similar vents. I agree.. these designs are the best.
jriz says:
10:49 AM, 06/ 6/08
Thanks for getting that song stuck in my head. Jerk.
tomslick2 says:
11:22 AM, 06/ 6/08
I have them on my Pontiac Vibe and agree, they are simple, easy to use and look nice.
alpha01 says:
11:29 AM, 06/ 6/08
It's a bit disappointing that the lifetime avg so far for the xB is lower than for Edmunds.com's much quicker Long Term Camry V6, which was in 25MPG range. Due to lots of long distance, yes, but still very impressive.
Has anyone seen any updates on Toyota's upcoming 2.7L 4, which is supposed to be more efficient than this unit (as well as more powerful)? And the xB would probably be helped by another cog in the tranny.
SnakeDoctor says:
11:31 AM, 06/ 6/08
HRH Bryn -
Dead or Alive: The 80's music will live forever.
Regards,
Snake Doc
skisupreme says:
11:39 AM, 06/ 6/08
I've got simlar vents on my 05 Mustang GT vert...best vents I've ever had in a car. I wonder if we see a trend towards vents like these...I remember seeing them on 90's Grand Ams too. I don't think BMW will change their design any time soon, but still.
06scooby says:
12:09 PM, 06/ 6/08
they are handy... but there are a lot of dashes where they would look out of place... like audi's or VW come to mind
desmolicious says:
01:07 PM, 06/ 6/08
Well yeah, apart from the fact that the Audi TT has circular vents.
compliance says:
01:37 PM, 06/ 6/08
Add the Mazda RX8 (my car) and Lamborghini Gallardo to the list of cars with these vents. I think the old Acura RSX had them too.
cx7lover says:
02:29 PM, 06/ 6/08
Almost all Mazda's have this because it's cost effective and a very good design, the CX-9 is the only one that doesn't have this, because it would be cheap looking.
billt9 says:
02:52 PM, 06/ 6/08
Round doesn't look cheap to me.
Round looks sporty, non-elegant.
Rectangular is more elegant, luxurious.
cartester16 says:
03:33 PM, 06/ 6/08
Jeez, I the same MPG from my BMW 325 wagon! I have just as much utility, and obviously, it's so much quicker and more fun to drive. Also, it doesn't look like an old shoebox.
neatnick79 says:
11:45 AM, 06/ 7/08
My Yaris liftback has the same vents (go figure--I'm sure they reach into the same parts bin for all of the cheaper cars... I really like them too. What I like about them on the Yaris is they are the defrost vents for the side windows too... you just change the direction--and you get tons of defrosting airflow!
elbee says:
10:44 PM, 06/ 7/08
These are on everything from the Celica to Gallardos. They suck. You cant turn them off without losing their position.
carmizvi says:
09:03 PM, 06/ 8/08
The only think "cheap" or "non-luxurious" is having vents that don't make it easy to direct cool air on a hot day or warm air on a cool one. Function should always take precedence over form - if only more auto manufacturers would get the message.
Or not...there are only so many ways to dress up a cheap chassis and charge twice as much for it. Focus/Mazda3/S40, anyone?
cx7lover says:
10:29 PM, 06/ 8/08
LOL, If you we're to ever drive an S40 you would know why they charge more.
I've owned an S40, And I've extensively been in a Mazda3, they don't compare in the slightest, The Volvo has the best seats, and safety tech, the Mazda 3 is safe, but not as safe as the S40, nor is it as nearly refined as the S40
texases says:
09:15 AM, 06/ 9/08
Cartester- Of course, the other way to think of it is the xB gets the same mileage and has the same utility as your 325 wagon for half the price!
desmolicious says:
05:59 PM, 06/ 9/08
It also has half the performance and build quality for half the price!
estreka says:
04:57 AM, 06/10/08
I think all Fords use this style. The first time I ever saw these was in a classic Alfa Romeo.