What is it? The 2008 xB is the second generation of the boxy, funky vehicle that helped establish the Scion brand. This tougher-looking version is a foot longer and two inches wider, though it is about 2.5 inches shorter in height.
The miserly 103-hp, 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four, again with a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. This time, the auto has sequential manual shifting.
Inside, the gauges are again centered on the dash. An information center provides clock, temperature, and trip computer functions. Rear 60/40-split seats fold flat to aid cargo loading. Among the abundant storage nooks is a hidden bin under the rear seat.
What is new or notable: In fitting with its youthful target, the new xB comes with an iPod-friendly, 160-watt Pioneer stereo. The head unit can display iPod tracks, charge an iPod through a connector, play MP3 and WMA files, and receive signals from other players via microplug. Rear output ports make it easier to upgrade the system with aftermarket amplifiers. The system is satellite radio compatible, and it has a customizable graphic interface that can be personalized with images and video.
CR’s take: The original xB had an amazing amount of interior room but was underpowered, stiff riding, and noisy. The increased power is a welcome move but we wonder if it will compromise the excellent fuel economy that we measured with the original—30 and 32 mpg overall with an automatic and manual transmission, respectively. (A Scion tC with a similar engine and manual transmission got only 26 mpg overall in our testing.) Doing away with the rear quarter window is bound to hurt visibility, a high point of the original car.
