Although I have my '06 Civic hybrid on order, and scheduled for a late-May delivery, I am considering the Scion xB (box) instead. The xB would really suit my needs better, and be substantially cheaper, but I hate to give up many MPGs in the process.

The xB automatic is rated at 34 mpg highway, and I've found most xB owners in forums are getting 35-39 consistently.

So... here's my question: Do any hybrid owners here have REAL-world experience with xB gas mileage? I am wondering how an xB would do mileage-wise if driven by hyper-milers at 55 with 50 PSI in the tires, etc. So far, none of the posts I've found have had the MPG freaks (in the best sense) that we have on here.

Thanks!

Steve Villatoro
www.stevenvillatoro.com
“An enlightened guide to small business mastery.”

I have no personal experience with the xB.

I specutlate if I get 20% over EPA on a HCH1 and HCH2 I could get 20% over EPA in ANY car since I don't do any of those EV mode or lean-burn-hybrid-unique things.

Need fewer troops to support.
Drive a hybrid.
Best tank 71.65 MPG.

Before this car I spent two years learning hypermiling on my 2004 HCH1.

steven: get the Scion, the hybrid is not for you...

What I can't seem to understand is why a box on wheels is one of the highest mileage non-hybrid cars available... especially since air resistance is the major portion of gas consumption on the highway. I wonder what the same engine/tranny package could manage with a more aerodynamic body, or with some sort of aerodynamic body kit?

The xB's coefficient of drag (Cd) is .35. According to InsightCentral, a Honda Civic hatchback (prior generation) has a Cd of .36, and the '06 Hybrid's Cd is .28. The Insight's Cd is .25, for comparison. A VW Beetle can manage .38. Light trucks typically have a Cd from .40 to .45. So, although the xB looks very boxy, it seems to do fairly well in the wind tunnel.

Steve Villatoro
www.stevenvillatoro.com
“An enlightened guide to small business mastery.”

The xB is also not very wide, although it is pretty tall for a car. Still, total drag is the square feet of frontal area times the coefficient of drag. For comparison:

Width and height, in inches
2007 GM Tahoe: 79.0 x 76.9
2006 Ford 500: 74.5 x 61.5
2007 Toyo Camry: 71.7 x 57.5
2006 Honda Civic: 67.5 x 56.3
2006 Pont Vibe: 69.9 x 62.2
2007 Honda Fit: 66.2 x 60.0
2006 Scion xB: 66.5 x 64.6

Other than the Tahoe, the xB is the tallest. In fact, quite a lot taller than the Camry and Civic. I imagine that's part of what makes it popular though since all that height translates into tons of interior room when transporting tall, bulky items. Still, one would imagine the Honda Fit, being about 4.5 inches shorter and fractionally narrower with a likely lower cD has good reason to be listed as more fuel efficient. Seeing that both the xB and Fit have about a $14,000 base price and the Fit is EPA rated 15% more fuel efficient, I'd personally lean towards the Fit.

We came close enough to compare the Scion xB with a used Prius. We went with a used Prius. A used Civic hyrid would also be a fine purchase especially if you are doing a lot of highway miles.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Thanks for the calculations, Bob! I had previously worked those numbers out in my mind, and could see that it might take me 150,000 miles or so to justify the '06 Civic based on finances alone.

I've seen a huge diversity of ACTUAL mileage figures for the xB, however, ranging from LOW 20s on every tank (conservative drivers) to the mid-to-upper 30s.

If I started getting mileage in the 20s, I might slit my wrists! I can do that well with my other car, a V-8 with 300 hp.

Steve Villatoro
www.stevenvillatoro.com
“An enlightened guide to small business mastery.”

One thing good about the Scion xB is the double resale potential.
Years down the road one might could remove the engine and windscreen.
Amish might could buy it and connect a team of hoarses through the open window. A win-win.


(Sorry for the humor)

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Very funny, well done, now I know where Toyota got their inspiration. And people think the Insight is goofy looking (if it wasn't for the wheel covers it'd look like any of the other 20+ hatchbacks out there). Do people really use all that vertical space the xB has or is it one of things you buy in the way off chance you need to transport a pony some day?

All that rarely used space is similar to why I never buy 4-door cars. The once/year I may need four doors can't justify the purchase when 90% of the time I'm the sole passenger. I'd like a one seater with a big trunk - that's my ideal car It'd be much more useful - I mean most people use their car for commuting first, then on weekends it's errands so may be a week day mini car and then a bigger weekend car. (Probably not true for stay at home moms but for us dweebs who drudge the daily traffic to cubicle life.)

Deb