I might be a little biased on my review cause I drove an xB first.

My first impression is that I had less room up front. Less shoulder room, head room (not that it isn't enough), less legroom, etc. Also didn't like the dash layout as much, prefer the xb on that one.

I felt it rode nice. I drove an automatic. I knew the 1.5 doesn't make a lot of power, but at the same time it didn't feel anemic like i thought it would. I guess a lightweight car with the right gearing can make up for lack of power. The engine seems to rev very, very easily and the automatic downshifts without hesitation.

The steering wheel feels smaller than what I am use to, or maybe I am deceived. Is it smaller diameter?

I also felt the xA had a tiny bit more pep than the xB. I know the xA is lighter. Did anyone else notice that when driving both? or maybe its all in my head

Overall I liked driving the xA. When its time for me to buy it will be hard for me to pick and choose A or B.

 

I to went through the same thing you did. Over all, I picked door B. I found the little added headroom + legroom to be the good things. Also, it seems like the xB has more cargo area, but I think thats mostly because of it being more open inside.

 

Didn't test drove an xA but did examine it all around. The xA is good for a compact vehicle. The interior dimentsions is almost up to par with the Matrix and Corolla. Europeans will appreciate the xA's interior dimensions. The windshield is not right up in your face like the Camry and Avalon. I like the door handles since it is easier to pull and more common on modern cars. You do feel rather small in the xA. The xA should have came with adjustable front height seats for added headroom. For my needs, I needed cargo space. Also the standard VSC and TRAC, classification as a Van (lower insurance) iced the cake. You can fit more in a Box than an Egg.

If you can wait, maybe you should opt for Option C= possible 3-door, 5-door, and or sedan Toyota Vitz/Yaris (echo replacement). Looks better than the xA. Also has CVT (at least the JDM spec) instead of a 4-speed auto. Available VSC and TRAC as well (again JDM spec).

3-Door (possible Euro, Canada only since the market prefer 3-doors)

Where's the front passenger airbag?

 

Did the same thing in reverse order. Test drove the xA and then the xB. I liked the xA's styling better, and did notice a bit more pep from the xA. Wife was convinced that xB was the way to go, until we test drove both....we bought the '06 xA.

We're now a 2 Scion family. '05 tC and '06 xA

 

Do you have any pics of your xA, I'm really interested to see how the 06 looks in IIP.

 

My camera sucks, but maybe at least these will give you some idea.



Next to the '05 AP tC.



Yikes! Worse than I thought....I gotta get a new camera.

 

I had me heart set on an xA, but once I saw one in person, I knew that I would never fit in it comfortably. The xA had me at first because of the $1200 lower price. but when your 6'3" 260 LBS, you gotta buy what fits!

 

The xA does have a little more pep than the xB. I know because we own both.
<---- You really are comparing two very different vehicles. The xA (in my opinion) is not cramped at all. BUT, if you compare it to the xB, it will seem like it. The xB just has an unusual amount of space. If you compare the xA to other cars in it's class, it comes out way on top. You can't really go wrong with either one, but you need to decide which style of vehicle you want. Good luck!

 

well said my friend....

the xB is just unique and..well.. i cant find a car to compare with the xB...
u shud be comparing the xA with other hot hatches available there...

xA rox!
xB..box! hehhee.. i luv both of em!..both are head turners definitely! either one u choose...its the correct one!

 

The xB has a huge back seat, if you plan on having more than two people in the car on a regular basis. However, I got the xA over the xB for several reasons.

1. It is smaller-I like smaller cars. Easier to park, easier to dodge SUVs driven by stupid soccer moms talking on cell phones. This also means it's slightly faster.
2. Slightly cheaper.
3. The xA looks better, IMHO.
4. This cinched it for me: The xA has optional side air bags, which are not availible on the xB.

 

The xA has optional side air bags, which are not availible on the xB.-Good point!

 

Buy one of each...many of us do