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Younger is better, right? We all want to look younger, feel younger, be thought of as younger (unless we are younger, in which case the opposite applies). The 2009 Scion xB could qualify as instant youth potion for baby boomers. With a base price of $16,7000 ($17,944 as tested), the 2009 Scion xB arrives with a 3 year/36,000 miles basic warranty, a 6 year/60,000 miles powertrain warranty and EPA fuel economy estimates of 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Saddle up for the Fountain of Youth.
First Glance: Bigger is better
The first generation xB started the Scion craze in 2004. A 2,399 lb box with unbelievable interior space, the original xB made a big splash with its low price and high fuel efficiency (26 mpg city/31 highway). The kids loved it, and relished the opportunity to customize their xBs with a long list of factory-approved accessories and a robust aftermarket.
For 2008, Toyota (Scion’s parent company) messed with success by giving xB a major makeover, adding 12” in length and 5” in width to the tiny terror and bumping the engine from 1.5 liters to 2.4 liters. In the process, the xB gained 631 lbs to a curb weight of 3,026 lbs, and lost 4 mpg city/3 mpg highway. But, as Aaron Gold mentioned in his review of the 2008 Scion xB, “With its new-found size, the xB has moved into the realm of proper family cars.”
xB still looks like xB, despite the increase in size. It looks like someone applied <BOLD> and <ITALIC> to the old design, beefing up the details and adding some panache. The assertive front, with incised halogen projector headlamps, eccentric drilled grille and racy lower fascia, is clean and expressive. The flat hood leads directly into the shoulder line, and the thin, flat roof takes up very little visual space in profile. Blacked-out B-pillars give the illusion of one long daylight opening ("DLO" in designer-speak), which makes me wish for a convertible xB – wouldn’t that be cool? The 16” steel wheels wear plastic hubcaps, and would be my first target for customization. The Scion accessory catalog lists wheels up to 19” for fitment to xB, so that’s what I’d get.
In the Driver’s Seat: Uh-oh, it's magic
Stepping inside the xB is like a David Copperfield illusion – so much space hiding behind such a tiny exterior. With its high roofline, the cabin feels like a cathedral. Seating is rather upright, more dining room chair than low-slung racer. I had no problem getting comfortable and into a good driving position with the tilt adjustable (no telescope) steering wheel and height-adjustable driver’s seat. One place where xB’s low cost betrays itself is in thin seat cushioning and cloth-only seat cover material. On longer drives, I craved more support and a suppler surface. Another cost control feature is the centrally-mounted instrument panel. Instead of manufacturing a left-hand drive, US-style dash and a right-hand drive, Japan-style dashboard, Scion mounts the instrument panel in the center of the dash, probably saving millions of yen. I was able to adjust to the gauge location, but I never really liked it. I felt like my eyes were off the road longer reading the xB’s central gauge cluster than they would have been with a conventional, above-the-wheel cluster. At freeway speeds, every millisecond counts.
The xB’s back seat benefits from the vehicle’s increased length and wheelbase. In the old xB, it felt like you were sitting directly on the rear axle, with every bump telegraphed to your spine. The current xB provides a more comfortable perch, and the increased width gives more elbow room for two or three passengers. The xB is now a legitimate family car, especially when you factor in the 21.7 cubic feet of luggage space behind the seats.
On the Road: Floggable
I have to admit, I’ll trade a few miles per gallon for more driving excitement almost every time. xB has got a pretty good balance going on right out of the box. With a double-overhead cam 2.4 liter in-line 4-cylinder engine, xB produces 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. That doesn’t sound like much in these days of 300 hp sedans, but it’s good enough to make xB plenty of fun to drive, even with a 4-speed automatic transmission (a 5-speed manual is also available). Even though the roofline is relatively high, the xB feels like it has a low center of gravity during cornering maneuvers. I’d explore some of the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) suspension and chassis enhancements to make the drive even sportier. I might even dip into my IRA to put some of the TRD engine and transmission parts on my xB – who needs retirement funds when you’ve got a supercharger and a quick shifter on your whip?
I drove my test vehicle all over the place during its week in my care, and it responded to my flogging by returning 20.8 mpg – lower than the EPA estimates, but pretty respectable considering how much I was enjoying its performance.
I also enjoyed xB’s standard Pioneer 160-watt stereo system with iPod integration. A supplied iPod cable allowed me to control my tunes via the multi-function steering wheel buttons and read text information on the Pioneer’s display screen – exactly the kind of functionality that I want from my iPod and car stereo. The sound quality is quite good, too.
Journey’s End: Car or CUV?
My usual beat is SUVs, and I’m tempted to lobby for xB to be classified as a crossover sport utility vehicle rather than as a car. xB certainly qualifies in terms of utility, with its big hatchback, generous luggage capacity and 60/40 split folding second row. I’m content to call it a wagon, like Scion does, even though that term has lost its meaning. If I were shopping for a small SUV or family wagon, I’d certainly consider the xB as an affordable, stylish choice.
I’d measure the xB against other box-shaped vehicles: The Nissan Cube, Kia Soul and Honda Element in particular. I’d also measure it against other fun-to-drive hatchbacks, like the Mazda3, Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Rabbit. I’d even measure it against small crossover vehicles like the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Considering its low price and great list of standard features, Scion’s xB represents a very good value. I’m not at all surprised that young drivers and first-time new car buyers flock to Scion showrooms, and that many older drivers have discovered xB as well.
Despite the fact that many xBs are in the hands of baby boomers, I still think that driving an xB made me look younger. I even turned my baseball cap to the side and wore a big gold medallion, until my wife told me I looked like an idiot. I guess the car can only do so much. -- Jason Fogelson
