xB: Toyota's subversive anti-car
#1
xB: Toyota's subversive anti-car
Def Cab for Cutie
Toyota's subversive anti-car.
By Mickey Kaus
Updated Friday, July 2, 2004, at 4:48 AM PT
slate.msn.com "Gearbox Column"
Scroll down in article, past the bs, to the picture of the Element & xB (entitled, "Fake Panzer vs. Ghoul Box"). This is where the very interesting article really begins.
Read the whole article at:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2103009/
Enjoy. RPM
Toyota's subversive anti-car.
By Mickey Kaus
Updated Friday, July 2, 2004, at 4:48 AM PT
slate.msn.com "Gearbox Column"
Scroll down in article, past the bs, to the picture of the Element & xB (entitled, "Fake Panzer vs. Ghoul Box"). This is where the very interesting article really begins.
Originally Posted by Gearbox
Scion xB: You've probably noticed this thing on the road—seemingly about as square as a vehicle can be, with a sinister giant-shaver front end. It looks like an electrogothic cab of death! Even its name and creepy logo appear to be those of the villainous organization in a James Bond movie. "We have reports that SCION is really a front for a madman bent on world domination." It's not cute. When I first saw one, I thought it was coming to ferry me across the river Styx. Room for one more inside, sir!
Now I love it. Why? First, it completes the deconstruction of the SUV that began with the "cute ute" Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 answered the question, "what if you kept the SUV's tough, off-road image but subtracted the heavy chassis and gas-chugging V-8?" Then came the Honda Element, which (like the RAV4) had the guts of an economy car but (unlike the RAV4) managed to keep an SUV's cavernous interior volume. Now comes the Scion, which subtracts two more factors in the traditional SUV equation—pointlessly high ground clearance and four-wheel drive.
Now I love it. Why? First, it completes the deconstruction of the SUV that began with the "cute ute" Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 answered the question, "what if you kept the SUV's tough, off-road image but subtracted the heavy chassis and gas-chugging V-8?" Then came the Honda Element, which (like the RAV4) had the guts of an economy car but (unlike the RAV4) managed to keep an SUV's cavernous interior volume. Now comes the Scion, which subtracts two more factors in the traditional SUV equation—pointlessly high ground clearance and four-wheel drive.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2103009/
Enjoy. RPM
#3
I've always thought it was that way - a mini-SUV without all the fakiness of their "off-road" abilities.
I see alot of Cute-Ute drivers looking at it.
It's also struck me that it's what the lowered S-10 Blazer crowd and the like were striving for...
I see alot of Cute-Ute drivers looking at it.
It's also struck me that it's what the lowered S-10 Blazer crowd and the like were striving for...
#4
As much as I hate the "SUV" moniker, the xB is closer to being a Sport Utility vehicle than any of the sloppy handling 4x4's out there. Most of which have barely an inch or two more ground clearance (the xB has 6 inches)
There's nothing "sport" about a Chevy Tahoe.
The xB can keep pace with more than a couple of "sports" cars when it comes to handling and you want to talk about "utility"? Show me something with more utility than an xB for it's size and price.
There's nothing "sport" about a Chevy Tahoe.
The xB can keep pace with more than a couple of "sports" cars when it comes to handling and you want to talk about "utility"? Show me something with more utility than an xB for it's size and price.
#6
Originally Posted by nest
As much as I hate the "SUV" moniker, the xB is closer to being a Sport Utility vehicle than any of the sloppy handling 4x4's out there. Most of which have barely an inch or two more ground clearance (the xB has 6 inches)
Originally Posted by nest
There's nothing "sport" about a Chevy Tahoe.
The xB can keep pace with more than a couple of "sports" cars when it comes to handling and you want to talk about "utility"? Show me something with more utility than an xB for it's size and price.
The xB can keep pace with more than a couple of "sports" cars when it comes to handling and you want to talk about "utility"? Show me something with more utility than an xB for it's size and price.
However, do we really want our xBs thought of as SUVs?
I think that the Slate writer suffered from "blank page syndrome"!
George
#9
Originally Posted by icemilkcoffee
Great article! This guy is the most refreshing automotive writer I've ever come across. "Def cab for cutie"- I love that title
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