Hey. I saw on the news today that they just came out with new tests to measure SUV's percentage of having a rollover if involved in an accident. Since the xB isnt really an SUV, I dont think they tested it. But, it got me thinking. Do any of you know how it does in this kind of test?

it has anti rollover stability control so i think that helps but i dont kno

Im on stock suspension and I dont fear rollover at all...ive tested it pretty well too :lol:

I think thats why xB has traction and stability control stock.

The way I see it, the xB is most like a minivan. Do you ever hear concerns about minivans rolling over? (Not that they don't sometimes, under extreme circumstances.)

What makes SUVs tippy is a high center of gravity. Even though the xB is tall, it's center of gravity is still lower than an SUV.

this is why there isn't a sun/moon roof option is because it would add alot of weight to the top of the car, raising the center of gravity. the roof of the xB doesn't weigh that much and the heavier stuff is down below, I take my turns crazy fast, like those 10mph on ramps that I take at 45-50.

So in short, the roof doesn't weigh that much and the car has a low center of gravity.

If you want to reduce the risk of roll over/make the car handle better, lower it, which will lower the center of gravity.

ohh yea and join Scion Evolution

this is why there isn't a sun/moon roof option is because it would add alot of weight to the top of the car, raising the center of gravity. the roof of the xB doesn't weigh that much and the heavier stuff is down below, I take my turns crazy fast, like those 10mph on ramps that I take at 45-50.

So in short, the roof doesn't weigh that much and the car has a low center of gravity.

If you want to reduce the risk of roll over/make the car handle better, lower it, which will lower the center of gravity.

ohh yea and join Scion Evolution

U may be wrong there with the option for sun/moon roof, my bB come with factory fitted sunroof and that was an option.

this is why there isn't a sun/moon roof option is because it would add alot of weight to the top of the car, raising the center of gravity. the roof of the xB doesn't weigh that much and the heavier stuff is down below, I take my turns crazy fast, like those 10mph on ramps that I take at 45-50.

So in short, the roof doesn't weigh that much and the car has a low center of gravity.

If you want to reduce the risk of roll over/make the car handle better, lower it, which will lower the center of gravity.

ohh yea and join Scion Evolution

U may be wrong there with the option for sun/moon roof, my bB come with factory fitted sunroof and that was an option.
Where did you buy your "xB"? I know that the xB here in the Pacific North (US) That It is not an option, but Dealers and the "port" will install them as an option. If you visit WWW.SCION.COM It'll list all Manufacturer options, Sun/moonroof, is not one of them.

"my bB come with factory fitted sunroof and that was an option."

Actually, it was probably a DISTRIBUTOR installed option. The cars come from the factory, and go from the port of entry to a distributor, who will sometimes add options to increase his profit before shipping them out to the dealers.

For example, my xB came with the 6 CD head unit which was listed on the far right of the window sticker as a distributor installed option. Check your sticker (if you still have it) and see if that's not the case with your sunroof.

Notice he said bB not xB. So it might be a option on bB. I just dont think they sale to many sun/moon roofs here in america because the demand is low or something. So that could be why its not a option.

Na, he's from Singapore. He has a REAL bB. There are many tried and trued options for the bB's overseas.

Just Lower it!

There is NO issues with rollover, unless acted upon by an outside force (ie another car). Remember that the xA/ist/xB/bB/Echo/Vitz/Yaris are all the same(similar) chassis.

xB/bB is actually a "Wagon", because the rear doors open outwards (instead of sliding).


Sunroof
---------
xB = No (maybe w/ RS3)
bB = Yes (on 2nd gen)



Dave.

When I bought mine I asked about a sunroof and he said they did not offer them because of the weight as mentioned before and it makes sense when you think about the coke can like metal used on the xB, he also said the same thing for side airbags and that also any dealer doing this is opening themselves up for a lawsuit should one ever rollover and that is looked into.


PErsonally I say screw it :) I still want one anyway but honestly I would be more careful going around sharp turns. Right now I think the xB takes offramps and sharp turns awesome, just as good as most cars I drive in so I feel very safe.

Now my dads expedition aka gas whore is a totally different story you really do not feel safe taking those turns unless you are really going the speed limit or less.. another reason I am really glad I did not take the expedition when he offered it to me and I did not pickup a 2002 explorer which was almost my next car if I did not drive my old beater another month till scions were available.

Do any of you know how it does in this kind of test?
Consumer Reports, Vol. 69, No. 8
August 2004 Issue, Pages 50 - 59

Scion xB: RECOMMENDED

"Handling is quite agile, with good steering response and well-contained body lean for a tall vehicle... steering provides good feedback... on [test] track xB was predictable and secure, thanks in part to its well-calibrated ESC..."

Routine Handling: Very Good
Emergency Handling: Good
Avoidance Maneuver Test, Max. Speed: 51.5 MPH

Conservative Consumer Reports carefully tests Roll-over Safety. The above excerpts indicate xB Roll-over is unlikely. :D RPM

The XB is tall compared to passenger cars but not to SUVs. The roof is just elevated. Everyone I've seen in one looks like a kid in daddy's car becuase of the incredible amount of headroom. If you brought the roof down to give the amount of headroom most cars provide, the overall vehicle height would probably be about average. Roofs don't weigh that much so the extra height doesn't make a large difference.

The car also has a sport suspension so it keeps the vehicle from rolling excessively which reduces the chance of rollover.

I have seen two xBs with fulllength sun roofs in Albuquerque. The dealers out here charge 2 Gs for the locally installed option. I think I can do it for a G or so. It changes the whole toaster.

I wish people would understand that dealers will say anything to make a sale or explain why they can't make something happen. Really - these people have near zero credibility on any subject.

For those of you who live in the Santa Monica area, If you have aver been on the 10 fwy east to the 405 Fwy North You know about the interchange ramp im talking about Im prety sure its listed aa a 25 to 30 mph ramp and I go hooking through the curve at 60 mph on a regular basis and I know if I beefed up the suspension I could go a bit faster if I so desired!!! So I dont know about any roll ovr issues!!

Keep in mind that the xb is only about 80 to 90 pounds heavier than the xA. And, the xA handles like crazy even though it has a softer suspension. I don't drive too crazy, but the biggest limitation seems to be tread width of the stock tires and the intial roll of the body which comes quickly but stops--I haven't gotten used to that yet.

interesting info people........

My TRD Springs, shocks and 17" enkeis came in yesterday, I'm getting them installed, so I'll let you guys know the diff between trd and stock. I'm really happy with the handling of the stock suspension, much better than what I traded in on my xB (a 02 PT Limited).

I would like to comment on the amazing effect of the traction control system. I was driving down the highway at about 65 when some guy to my left realized he was missing his exit and jammed on the brakes and swerved in front of me to cut across two lanes. I hit my brakes and cut very hard (at that speed) to avoid hitting him by only a few inches, but the maneuver was extreme. My back end started to come around which I would have tried to counter steer out of, but I didnt have to. The dash started beeping, what felt like the hand of God, pushed my back end back in line, and there I was going straight down the road. It happened so fast I never had a chance to react to the pending fishtail. It was REALLY amazing.

I am one of those people that believes in knowing the limitations of your vehicle. I will go to an empty parking lot in the rain and stand on the brakes to see what the vehicle will do. I had tested the ABS several times, but never the traction control. I was up in the mountains a week ago on a wide gravel road and tested the traction control. It works incredibly well. On several corners I sped up and cut very hard and caused the rear to begin to fishtail. Each time the light in the dash beeped and the same predictable "push" in the rear straightened the car out.

It makes me feel really great to know that my wife is also driving a box.

someone who i refered to our dealer had said something about a new RS version becoming available? Bright red with a Factory OEM moon roof? supposedly 10,000 of these units will be made but not sure if the story is being told correctly, it was 2nd source so. IDNO it would make an attractive option. but i'm not one for glass roofs

I would like to comment on the amazing effect of the traction control system. I was driving down the highway at about 65 when some guy to my left realized he was missing his exit and jammed on the brakes and swerved in front of me to cut across two lanes. I hit my brakes and cut very hard (at that speed) to avoid hitting him by only a few inches, but the maneuver was extreme. My back end started to come around which I would have tried to counter steer out of, but I didnt have to. The dash started beeping, what felt like the hand of God, pushed my back end back in line, and there I was going straight down the road. It happened so fast I never had a chance to react to the pending fishtail. It was REALLY amazing.

I am one of those people that believes in knowing the limitations of your vehicle. I will go to an empty parking lot in the rain and stand on the brakes to see what the vehicle will do. I had tested the ABS several times, but never the traction control. I was up in the mountains a week ago on a wide gravel road and tested the traction control. It works incredibly well. On several corners I sped up and cut very hard and caused the rear to begin to fishtail. Each time the light in the dash beeped and the same predictable "push" in the rear straightened the car out.

It makes me feel really great to know that my wife is also driving a box.
I think you're refering to the VSC or Vehicle Stability Control. The "Traction Control" is when you're drive wheels spin at a different rpm from each other. when the Traction control senses slip of a drive wheel, it applies the break to that wheel. it feels a lot like ABS.

I have stock steelies and tires but the Hotchkis strut and sway bars Gabe of Precision Muffler installed make my XB really steady. I have almost no body lean and even in crosswinds the ride is incredibly steady. If you feel like your XB is going to tip or you want a really leanless ride adding sway bars works great.

I have stock steelies and tires but the Hotchkis strut and sway bars Gabe of Precision Muffler installed make my XB really steady. I have almost no body lean and even in crosswinds the ride is incredibly steady. If you feel like your XB is going to tip or you want a really leanless ride adding sway bars works great. :D

And yes, the VSC really can not play any part in keeping the vehicle from rolling over. But it is really cool - I know the VSC system on the Carrera 911 can create a rotation point by braking the correct wheel - I'm not sure what the xB's system is capable of.

I spent last weekend up at the buttonwillow race track - 3 miles of fast turns, elevation changes, and 100mph straights - it handled great. I have only minor suspension mods (Eibach Pro-Kit) and it was doin great - keeping up with, and even passing other cars. The braking was good, my rotora rotors probably helped some, but very little brake fade even after several hard laps, and no hint of any chance of rollovers, and that's pushing the box just about as hard as you can push it. I was very impressed how well it handled out there.