The iconic Scion xB urban utility vehicle will continue to appeal to young consumers as it receives new standard and optional audio systems for the 2010 model year.
The new standard Pioneer audio system features iPod/USB connectivity, a programmable welcome message screen, and an RCA output for adding an external amplifier and subwoofer. An available Alpine Premium audio system takes the standard audio to the next level with several upgrades including a 4.3-inch color touch-screen monitor, HD Radio™ technology, and optional navigation. The boxy xB receives one new exterior color, Sizzling Crimson Mica, which replaces Blackberry Crush Metallic.
New and Upgraded Audio System
The xB truly focuses on youth with its new standard AM/FM/CD/USB 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system. New features for 2010 include an organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen, iPod/USB connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), and a subwoofer RCA output. The standard Pioneer system features a USB port and universal auxiliary (AUX) port located on the center console that allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the xB’s six Pioneer speakers.
Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the portable music player, including iPod and iPhone, into the USB or AUX port. The head unit’s screen displays the track number, track name, and artist information from select USB units. The audio system provides outstanding sound quality through the car’s stereo system and constant power to select iPods. Music is controlled through the head unit and the steering wheel audio control buttons for radio, CD, and certain USB devices. iPod users can also use an alphabetical speed search to find a specific artist or album.
The ASR function restores a wide, deep, and rich quality to MP3/WMA/AAC sound. Through the subwoofer RCA output, xB owners can add an external amp to drive one or more subwoofers. For easy operation, the system’s multi-selector allows for easy control of the head unit. Unique to the standard Pioneer audio system is the customizable welcome screen that also lets users create a personal message of up to 16 characters.
The optional Alpine Premium audio system has the same basic features as the standard Pioneer audio but adds a 4.3-inch color touch panel thin film transistor (TFT) screen, HD Radio™ technology, Media Expander (MX), and front and rear RCA outputs. Passengers can listen to HD Radio™ technology with the premium audio system and view text, song titles, albums, and artist names on the head unit. Alpine’s MX improves compressed audio sound often found in digital music. The RCA outputs allow for up to three amplifiers -- front, rear, and subwoofer. The optional audio system is also a backup camera and navigation ready.
Scion also offers an optional plug-in navigation unit for the Alpine Premium audio system. Navigation and audio functions utilize the head unit screen for display. Features include voice guidance; day and night screen modes; support in English, French, and Spanish; 200 available address book entries; map coverage across the U.S. and Canada including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hawaii; three map views (3-D, north up, and heading up); and, more than 6 million points of interest. Users can also program up to three destinations before arriving at their final programmed stop. Scion makes this navigation unit customizable by allowing the user to change the vehicle position icon from an arrow to an icon of the xB which can be customized in every xB exterior color.
Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility, and MP3, AAC, and WMA capability. In addition, both units adjust the volume control based on driving speed. The sound systems feature six speakers: a tweeter and a speaker in each front door panel, plus two full-range speakers in the rear.
