2008 Scion xB Review

PROS
Plenty of passenger and cargo room, Fuel efficient, Lots of standard safety features

CONS
Unique dashboard design, Little grip from skinny tires, Too much tire noise

Toyota introduced Scion in 2002. The Asian automaker promised the new brand's vehicles would be unusual, affordable, and aimed at the youth market. Initially, just two vehicles were offered for sale at select Toyota dealerships, the xA and xB. The xA was an affordable subcompact and the xB an unusual box on wheels.

Both were offered with a host of custom trim and convenience items designed to let buyers customize their purchase while still at the dealership. They also carried an MSRP of less than $14,000 and featured Scion's unique new "Pure Price" strategy.

Pure Price is Toyota's name for a one-price strategy, similar to the one Saturn has employed since its inception. After doing "extensive" research, Toyota determined that younger buyers didn't want to haggle for their new vehicle and preferred a vehicle with a reasonable price. Toyota claimed that is would ensure a simpler and shorter purchase and eliminate all negotiation.

Of the two, the unconventional xB was the best seller. It seemed to better appeal to younger buyers, with its eccentric styling, roomy interior, and versatile cargo hold.

At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, Scion introduced the second-generation of the xB. The new car finally arrived in dealerships this fall as a 2008 model. Compared to the previous model, it rode a wheelbase that was four inches longer, was 12 inches longer overall, and had gained 600 pounds. The slab-sided body was softened but was still only offered in four-door wagon style.

Front-drive was retained, but the '08 xB featured a considerably more powerful engine. Though still a four-cylinder, displacement grew from 1.5-liters to 2.4 and horsepower jumped from 103 to 158. Transmission choices remained either five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Safety equipment was bolstered as well. Now standard were antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and front, front-side, and curtain side airbags. Also standard were air conditioning, tilt steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, front bucket seats, center console, split-folding rear seat, power mirrors with turn signals, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, rear privacy glass, and 16-inch wheels.

There are no factory-installed options, but there are a host of dealer installed accessories, including a navigation system, DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system, satellite radio iPod adaptor, remote engine starter, theft-deterrent system, and alloy wheels. In addition, dealers offer a number of interior and exterior dress-up items to suit buyers tastes.

The single model has a base price of $15,650 with manual transmission and $16,600 with automatic transmission. Destination charge is $580. xB is built in Japan.

Get up and Go
The larger and more powerful engine easily offsets xB's 600-pound weight gain. Acceleration is good from a stop and midrange passing punch is more than acceptable. The engine feels a little winded in highway passing situations where a little more zip might make driver's more comfortable in two-lane overtaking.

Scion kept the four-speed automatic, while others in the class are stepping up to more fuel-efficient five-speed or CVT designs. That hurts xB's passing response and also leads to lurching downshifts in certain situations.

Scion claims that traction control is standard. While that may be the case, it's easy to get the front wheels spinning for a brief second in slippery conditions. On the other hand, the standard stability control is very welcome at such a low price point. While somewhat intrusive, it works well to help keep drivers on the road in the snow and ice.

With automatic the '08 xB is EPA rated at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Those numbers are slightly better than most compact SUVs, but also slightly worse than compact wagons like the Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix. In routine driving, expect to average about 25 mpg. If your commute includes a fair amount of highway driving, don't be surprised if you nudge past 27 mpg. Scion says that xB will run fine on regular-grade gasoline.

On the Road
Thanks to a longer wheelbase and more compliant suspension, xB rides like a grown-up car. All but the largest bumps are softened and bouncing on rough road, is modest. While xB doesn't ride as smoothly as a compact sedan, it easily matches the ride comfort of any compact SUV.

Even though the xB really is a box on wheels, it drives more like a compact car than an SUV. Body lean is moderate in quick turns and the steering is direct--though highway on-center feel could be improved. The tires don't have much grip though and xB will understeer at the first hint of hard cornering. That's not unusual for vehicles at this price point, but might be a disappointment for "younger" buyers. The brakes are adequate and the pedal is easy to modulate for smooth, drama-free stops.

Given its low price and open interior design, you wouldn't expect the Scion xB to be whisper quiet on the highway, and it isn't. But the xB is surprisingly quiet around town and quieter overall than most compact SUVs. The engine groans in hard acceleration but quiets nicely once cruising.

Behind the Wheel
Scion crafted xB's interior with an eye toward attracting younger buyers, so it is a little unconventional. There are no traditional gauges behind the steering wheel. Instead there's a large digital speedometer above and to the left of the center console. Next to that are traditional analog gauges for engine speed, temperature and fuel level. The design takes some getting used to, and the large digital speedo is sure to keep back-seat passengers entertained.

Radio and climate controls couldn't be simpler or more clearly marked. In addition, there are buttons for volume and channel/track on the steering wheel. Window, lock, and mirror controls are to the left of the steering wheel. They are easy to operate, but could use better illumination.

Materials are befitting of the low price, meaning mostly hard plastics. However, the padded driver arm rest is a nice comfort touch.

Though they aren't very contoured, the front seats are soft and supportive and should be a good fit for just about any size adult. The driver seat is height adjustable, though even tall drivers won't be lacking for headroom. Leg room is adequate and no more. Outward visibility is fair, but blocked by narrow window openings to the front and a smalish rear window. The driving position is slightly higher than a traditional sedan, but lower than that of a compact SUV.

Rear bench seat is flat but nicely padded. It offers adult size head and leg room, even if the front seats are all the way back. Doors open wide, making entry/exit a breeze. Though sitting three across will scrunch everyone, the xB truly is a four-adult car, something that can't be said for a lot of compact SUVs.

Space behind the rear seat is generous, and folding the rear seats is a snap. xB is rated at a touch below 70 cubic feet, which matches many compact SUVs and blows away some larger car-based wagons. Interior storage is fair. The small glove box and map pockets are offset by an under-floor cargo bin and a cubby beneath the rear seat.

Bottom Line
Version 2.0 of the box-on-wheels is all grown up, featuring a larger and more powerful engine, more interior room, and lots of additional safety features. Sadly, with a base price north of $15,000 the xB isn't the roomy bargain it once was.

The higher price doesn't make it any less of a value. It's still less expensive than compact wagons or compact SUVs, yet offers more room and power this year. No it doesn't offer all-wheel drive, but most buyers don't really need that anyway. Sure Scion vehicles are aimed at the youth market, but that doesn't mean they won't appeal to a broader market. In addition, the vehicle is easily customizable at the dealership and comes with a no-haggle sticker that should appeal to many.