Here is a small list of things I could wish for in the xB.

Maybe a possible redesign of the dash some. The round Air out lets dont let much air flow from them.

Steering wheel mounted controls, its a little odd to lean forward to adjust the volume.

A better gear spacing in the tranny or the echo final drive.

A suggestion (why not mount the jack in that little cubby hole in the back floor, instead of under the driver seat?)

Maybe a way to lower the rear seating a litte, so when the seats are folded, its flat.

A Armrest stock.

Not having the rear wiper or making it a little better then it is.

Maybe a pick in interior color or color match it all ie: all black or beige not both at 1 time.

HID as a option, the bB has it, so why dont we

Maybe a real coolant gauge instead of just a light.

There is more I would like to see changed / added, but the above listed things are all easy to do + would not really jack up the cost much, if any.

 

I am with you 200% on moving the jack, fold flat seats and adding a coolant gauge.

Echo final drive or a taller 5th would make the cars too slow and unresponsive at highway speeds IMO. There is a method to their madness. I don't like 4000 rpm at 80 mph either but the gearing that would make it 3000 rpm at 80 would mean it would take 45 minutes to get to 80 mph and then you'd have to shift into 4th gear to maintain 80 up a slight incline. A 6th speed would be nice, but the R&D for a new tranny would add enormous costs. I think they made an acceptable compromise all things considered there isn't much else they could have done.