2008 Scion xB
By: Juan G. Robbin
Next Generation: Bigger, More Capable, Without Loosing the Original xB Style
Scion XB (2008)
The second generation Scion XB is all grown up! It’s larger, more powerful and better equipped than before.
The XB is definitely a polarizing design, some love it some hate it. There seems to be no middle ground. This dilemma is easy to resolve: Drive it!
After spending a week and several hundred miles driving this car, I was pleasantly surprised at how capable, comfortable and versatile the XB is. It’s a variable combination of compact car, small mini-van and utility vehicle all wrapped into one. There is plenty of room in front for the driver and passenger, with seating position being comfortable and upright, which makes it easy to get in and out of. Need to carry something? The XB is able to swallow copious amounts of any thing you want to transport by simply flipping the rear seats down. With the seats up, the second row is comfortable for two, tight for three and yet still gets the job done in a pinch.
The dash layout is unique, with all the instruments located at high dash-center. It took a bit to get used to look in that direction, but once you got that figured, it was easy to scan the instruments’ location. We drove the manual transmission version which turned out to be a nice experience, going through the gears is a smooth affair, clutch is light and easy to live with, even in a congested urban setting.
We loved the miserly fuel consumption and the practicality of the XB’s size. The newest version of the XB has lost a bit of the simple, boxy design of the 1st generation yet it is still distinctive and easy to live with. Driving the XB is straight forward, brakes and steering are good, and acceleration is pretty typical for a four cylinder. This is to say, it won’t win any quarter mile races, yet it’s exactly what you expect from a car like this.
The 2nd generation Scion XB: Simple, comfortable and versatile. An excellent vehicle for any lifestyle.
The Essentials
MSRP: $16,600.00 As tested: $18,339.00
Fuel Economy (Observed): 26.9 MPG
Engine: 2.4 liter 4 cylinder 158 HP
Popular options: Premium Audio, carpet mats, keyless entry
Visit: www.scion.com