Grand openings—Hatchback road test and videos

For our test group in the June 2008 issue, we drove small hatchbacks. These vehicles provide good fuel economy, practicality, and versatility. And one has all-wheel drive.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our staff auto experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus they demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

"Grand Openings" features the Mini Cooper Clubman, Saturn Astra, Scion xD, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, Toyota Matrix, and Volkswagen Rabbit. Ratings for all small cars we have tested can be found with our dynamic New Car Selector tool.

Check out the video of the Mini Cooper Clubman, plus see the rest of our hatchback videos.

Who revived the electric car?

A special report from the EVS23 Electric Vehicle Symposium

The trend is clear: All the electric vehicles (EV) that emerged in the last decade and a half have vanished. The Ford Ranger EV, General Motors EV1, Toyota RAV4 EV, and others are all gone. The disappearance of such promising vehicles inspired the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Well, they're not dead, yet.

At the EVS23 Electric Vehicle Symposium I attended in Anaheim, CA in early December, I drove a few upcoming electric cars. Some were clunky, slow and vulnerable and didn't seem more advanced than other attempts we sampled a decade ago. However, two of them really stood out as viable vehicles in terms of performance and practicality. The price, however, could prove prohibitive.

The eBox by AC propulsion
The eBox is a previous-generation Scion xB that's gutted to rid itself of the original engine and transmission. It's converted by a company called AC Propulsion and uses the same technology found in the Tesla roadster. The eBox uses an electric direct-drive system, so there's no need for a shifter. Instead, there's a controller that interfaces with a special display on top of the steering column. Regenerative braking - the capture of braking energy that is channeled through the motor to recharge the batteries - can be adjusted.  Under the front seats resides a 400-volt lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery pack. It has a 120-mile range and takes two hours to charge through a 220-volt outlet; hooking it up to a regular household 110-volt outlet doubles the charge time.

On the road, the eBox feels quick and quiet. The company says it will reach 60 mph in seven seconds and has a top speed of 100 mph. In the most aggressive regenerative braking setting, decelerating takes place by lifting off the throttle, which I found to be quite abrupt. With practice, you can actually drive the car without using the brakes. With the conversion adding a whopping 600 pounds to the vehicle, you'd think that the ride and handling might be somewhat challenged. AC Propulsion President Tom Gage says that spacers have been added to the springs and the tire pressure was increased, but acknowledges that even with two passengers on board, the load exceeds the gross vehicle weight limit of the xB (a mere 825 pounds). However, the xB's stiff suspension seems to pull it off. The eBox costs $55,000, not including the Scion xB.

Phoenix SUT
This odd-looking compact pickup is actually a Korean model called the Ssanyong Actyon that's sold outside of North America. It's roughly the size of a Toyota Tacoma and will be offered for sale here starting in spring 2008 through a company called Phoenix Motorcars that converts it into electrical vehicle. It's intended for fleet buyers. Another version, converted by a company called Boshart Electric Vehicles, is intended only for low-speed use, such as patrolling malls and the like.

Under the Phoenix's truck bed resides a tray that contains a 435-volt lithium-titanate battery. This type is the next generation of the Li-Ion and is said to be more advanced, especially in withstanding cold and hot temperatures. It will be warranted for 250,000 miles or 12 years. It has a claimed range of 130 miles. The claimed consumption is 320 watts per mile. A full recharge takes 12 hours through a regular household 110V outlet, but there's a ten minute rapid recharge capability using a special industrial charger.

On the road, this truck felt very responsive and quiet. The 405 ft-lb of torque launches the 4,600-pound truck decisively; it seems like it could lend itself to towing. I did not experience the truck's claimed 95 mph top speed. The truck will be offered with a 268 hp electric motor. The company intends to use the four-wheel-drive version of the truck minus the live rear axle and propshaft to better utilize the space between the frame rails and the bed for the battery tray. This gives the vehicle front-wheel-drive as well as the electric powertrain - most unique combination for a pickup.

The price starts at $47,500 for the truck, or $49,000 for the SUV version that will follow. So far, the company has orders from Pacific Gas, the City of Sacramento, and the Port of Los Angeles.

After seemingly reaching a dead end, EVs might be making a comeback... albeit in very limited numbers and at enormous cost. For now, it looks like these vehicles will be sold mostly for commercial and fleet purposes, where the vehicles follow a prescribed route and can be charged overnight. Still, it's nice to see the technology evolving. Such development could benefit all who hope for cleaner air, sustained mobility, and less dependence on foreign oil.

Updated 12/14/07

—Gabe Shenhar

Discuss alternative-fuel vehicles in the forums.

Personal Picks: Small, economical cars

While the "PeeWee Sports" sporty cars in the October 2007 may have elicited the most water-cooler conversation among the staff, the all-new and redesigned models in our "Small Wonders" test group warrant a closer look.

View video reviews of the small cars.

Here the staff shares their personal insights with picks, and sometimes pans:

Eric Evarts: I'll start with a confession: I'm not a big fan of small sedans (though we have one in the family that my wife loves). It seems to me if you want a small car to save gas or money, you'll benefit by maximizing the car's interior space. Uncool though it may be, that means buying a wagon or a hatchback.

But that's not the only reason my personal pick among this month's Small Wonders is the Scion xB. The main reason is that it feels more grown up than the other cars here, despite its youthful target audience. The xB strikes me as a car I could consider as a substitute for the much more expensive Toyota RAV4. It has a huge back seat, plenty of room for cargo, and lots of room up front. I especially love all the handy storage nooks and crannies for road trip gear and the iPod adapter that lets you control it through the xB's radio or steering wheel. There's plenty of power, and cornering is relatively lively.

Unlike the old xB, the engine remains subdued on the highway, and the doors don't feel like they'll bend every time you slam them shut.

Like the old xB, the new one looks hip and youthful. And your neighbors don't have to know you only spent $18,000.

Jeff Bartlett: Be careful what you wish for. The manufacturers do listen closely to owners and auto show goers, as well as monitor online forum banter. The original xB was funky, affordable, and frugal, giving Scion an instant hit to grow the fledgling, youth-targeted division.

The public, at least certain hipster and hip-replacement segments, loved the original, but there was a desire for a little more power, refinement, and safety. (However, the 2004-2006 models earned a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test.) With the new xB, Scion delivered what buyers wanted, but in this ever-changing world, the timing was a little off. The second-gen went on sale this year amid elevated gas prices, right when the country really needed another high-mileage choice. The new xB only gets 23 mpg overall in our tests, down from 30 mpg in the last one.

The latest xB feels much different than the original, which had great visibility and feather weight. Now, the xB feels solid, with small, Hummer H3-like side glass and perceived heft. The larger engine does give the car appropriate verve, and the Dr. Who Tardis effect of an impossibly roomy interior continues.

In a segment where the competition is a variety of typical c-a-r-s, albeit with more refinement and features than ever before, the xB stands out as a buck-the-mainstream choice. The basic package provides more rear-seat space than just about anything within a yard of its length, and it just feels fun to drive a vehicle that seems like the off-spring of an armored bank truck and an urban dance club mix CD.

Once again, the xB succeeds in being a distinct alternative, without exacting a price penalty. But, I sure would welcome a couple more miles per gallon, and I suspect Scion hears other voicing similar desires. Maybe with the next generation... And if the next model launches when gas prices go down, I won't complain.

Cliff Weathers: My wife coos at our Mini Cooper the way she would a tiny puppy. Yes, she may think it's so cute and adorable now, but wait until she tries to work the radio or the confounding switchgear while driving. And the Mini's torque steer would yank her around a bit too much. She'd end up denouncing this wide-eyed little buggy faster than you can say "high-strung Chihuahua."

Unfortunately, she's always found the Scion xB to be unlovable and ugly. But if she gave it a home, she'd find that it to be a loyal companion. First of all, it plays well with the kids. Our nine- and ten-year olds barely fit in the back of our Subaru Forester these days, yet they're plenty comfortable in the back of the xB.

Also, the xB from the "Small Wonders" test group does some pretty cool tricks, especially with an iPod. If she attached hers to the wagon's dedicated jack, she'd discover that the car's audio system integrates seamlessly with Apple's media player, letting her control it through the steering wheel and radio controls.

And last, nobody wants a vehicle that's difficult to control. My wife would find that the xB is obedient on the road and only emits the slightest growl from its 4-cylinder powerplant. And at 23 mpg overall, it doesn't have much of a gas problem.

I'm always lecturing my wife when it comes to dogs cars: Make sure that you can find one that you can live with; don't take home the first one that you find adorable. Maybe next time she'll listen.

Just in: Scion xB

As my esteemed colleague Jim Travers blogged on last month, we've recently picked up our 2008 Scion xB (available to online subscribers) and have been racking up break-in miles. To put the new car into perspective, think of the thin, trim cheeky previous xB graduating from high school and gaining its "freshman 15" in college. The new xB has grown considerably in size and weight; it's now 12 inches longer and 650 pounds heavier than the last xB automatic we tested.

But unlike a student, who only has an expanding waistline to show for binging at the buffet, the xB gained some benefits from this growth. The new xB is a considerably more refined traveling companion, with less noise and a better ride. Plus, with 50 more horsepower, the xB is now much zippier, even with the automatic. New curtain air bags and standard stability control--which the old xB had as well--add up to a rather complete safety package at a starting price of $16,230.

At first glance, though, not everything has improved. Picture the old xB being squashed under a giant foot, a la Monty Python. It got wider and longer, and the windows all got shorter. The old xB used to be like driving in a greenhouse, with huge windows and thin pillars. This xB is a bit like a shrunken FJ Cruiser; it's depressingly dark inside with a compromised view.

Making things worse, we're still looking for the check box on the order form for "Rear third-quarter window delete" that we seemed to have checked off. There is a huge C-pillar, even though the interior wall trim is contoured to accommodate a window cutout. (Maybe that space is intended to allow customizers to install half-moon windows like they did in groovy 1970s custom vans.)

For now, staff opinions are split on the xB. Some could drive it everyday as cheap wheels, enjoying the small surprise-and-delight touches like lighted door sills and the funky green paint. Others aren't swayed, citing driving position and visibility shortcomings. We'll see how it all sorts out in our testing, with the final report scheduled for the October issue.

--Tom Mutchler

Scion's virtual customers

Scion customers are nothing if not a wired bunch. To plug into these virtual Web denizens, the company's Web site, scion.com, offers all kinds of social opportunities, including links to forums, Scion-sponsored concert schedules, and a whole section devoted to "culture."

If all that isn't enough to keep their keyboard-happy audience entertained, Scion recently announced a new Web site, want2Bsquare.com. The site offers cool graphics, interactive Flash playthings, and a game where players can win prizes like flat-screen TVs. The buzz-driven site has been such a runaway success that Scion says they're getting a 15 percent increase in visitors every week.

The only problem is that some visitors apparently want to be square so badly that they're spending up to 20 hours a week on the site in an area ironically labeled "Wasteland." I'm no marketing whiz, but one would think that would leave little time to shop for--or earn the money to pay for--actual, real-life Scions.   

--Jim Travers

Scion - Marketing outside the box

When it comes to marketing its Scion brand, Toyota does things a little differently. For one thing, the brand itself is what gets marketed, not individual models. The idea is for the target audience of 20-somethings to discover the brand, and then decide which model they want. To that end, traditional mediums for car advertising like television and radio are eschewed in favor of the Internet, and by planting Scions at outdoor concerts and festivals where they can be more easily discovered.

The hipster automotive division likes outdoor events so much, they throw their own. Their Web site lists a calendar of Scion-sponsored car shows, concerts, contests, and some festivals that are combinations of all three. These events also provide an opportunity for owners to purchase branded schwag and accessories--something they go for in a big way. More than half of Scion buyers customize their cars.

So far, the marketing approach appears to be working. Sales have increased every year since the brand was introduced, with some 170,000 units sold in 2006. (Admittedly, part of the expansion is attributable to an expanding dealer network.) And Scion claims to have the youngest buyers of any car brand, with an average age of 30, despite healthy sales to gray-haired buyers drawn to the easy xB ingress/egress and pension-friendly pricing.

For all ages, a big part of the appeal has been the prices. Starting under $13,000, Scions have stickered low enough to be within reach of many budget-limited and value-conscious buyers. A low price is especially helpful if you’ve got your eye on some custom tires, wheels, interior trinkets, booming stereo, and maybe a dashboard-mounted flat screen TV or two. (At least owners don’t have to worry about having to watch Scion ads.)

In addition to myriad aftermarket options, Scion is only too happy to help out with an extensive offering of its own custom bits. More than 40 different items from shift knobs to superchargers can be ordered on the newly redesigned xB, and these extras can quickly add thousands to both the cost of the car and pad dealer profits.

The new xB is also $1,620 more expensive than the model it replaces, with a base price of $15,650. That’s with an extensive list of standard equipment including air-conditioning, power windows and locks, and a 160-watt stereo that buyers can always rip out and replace with something beefier--say a couple of thousand watts with a subwoofer roughly the size of a clothes dryer. But that assumes these buyers can afford the $1,620 increase and still have money left over for accessories. Odds are the xB will still be a good enough value to succeed at the lower end of the car-buying spectrum. If it’s too expensive for first-time car buyers, well, they aren’t the only ones who value a good deal.

The real payoff for Toyota may not come from outright xB unit sales, but how well their Scion marketing effort pays off in the long term by bringing young buyers into the corporate family. The Scion nameplate is still so new that many buyers have yet to trade in, but of those who have, 45 percent have purchased either another Scion, Toyota, or Lexus. Interestingly, of that 45 percent, only seventeen percent have gone for another Scion. The rest are probably moving up to Toyotas as they start having families. Or maybe they just need room for a bigger subwoofer.

We just purchased the 2008 Scion xB for $18,360 in a color called "Hypnotic Teal Mica".  Check out this blog and ConsumerReports.org for our thoughts and tests on this redesigned model.

--Jim Travers

Scion encourages us to get a Second Life

The countdown is on to the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, with our coverage scheduled to begin on February 7th--the first media preview day. In covering the major auto shows, we give you an early look at future production models and concept vehicles. This online experience is the next best thing to sneaking you in with a media badge.

For Chicago, Scion is taking the "virtual" show experience concept a step further, into the metaverse. Scion will introduce the second-generation xB and the all-new xD on Thursday, the 8th, to the attending media and remotely, through Second Life, a three-dimensional online world with almost three million registered users. The first 500 Second Life members who register for this media-only event will be able to participate in the virtual press conference. Scion enthusiasts will be able to view footage from the event on the scion.com site the following day.

Scion is among the first automakers to use the rapidly expanding Second Life realm as a marketing tool, with its own island, called Scion City. Scion has sold over 500 virtual vehicles in SL since
the launch of Scion City last November. Cost for an xA, xB, or tC is 300 Lindens, the virtual currency. Translation: about $1.20 in the real world, depending on the current exchange rate.

The youth-targeted brand has succeeded by generating buzz through this effort, and numerous other marketing endeavors. However, this seems like a near-miss opportunity to reach Scion enthusiasts, rather than what may be a small number of media who would use Second Life to view the press conference.

We have driven cars in Second Life, and, of course, they do not compare against real cars, or even those in console-based video games. However, the online interaction can provide some insights, and the automakers realize that the experience will generate interest and potentially affinity.

Ultimately, we know that the auto show insights you expect, and deserve, require us to see, touch, and experience the vehicles themselves. As the parody site getafirstlife.com conveys, there is nothing better than the real thing. Look for our real impressions live from the show, in February.

Scion City and Pontiac's Motorati City can be found in Second Life through the Search function.

--Jeff Bartlett