TFTR Car Reviews
Scion’s xB grows up
 Bill says:
I doubt I’ll ever forget my first test drive of the xB in 2004 when I was feeling just a bit foolish as a group of young people were getting a pretty good chuckle at the Boomer driving the “box”. They quickly put me at ease when they commented on how cool the little car was. There was no doubt that the xB was developed with the Millennial’s in mind but I’ve been amazed at how many Boomer’s I’ve seen driving this car.
The redesigned xB is wider and longer and the new 2.4-liter four-cylinder has more punch, yet the ride has improved and handling is surprisingly responsive. The gauges are still centered on the dash, something I’m not a big fan of, the interior space and particularly the rear seat is enormous and there is plenty cargo space in the back.
Performance gets a huge boost up from 103hp from the 1.5 liter, to 158hp in the 2.4 liter engine that comes in the peppy tC coupe. With 162 lb-ft of torque, up over 60 lb-ft, the xB is much more responsive and when mated to a five-speed manual, the xB is actually quick off the line. A four-speed automatic with sequential shifting is also available.
 I have to admit that I like the new iteration of the xB much better than the original. It’s sleeker, with much better lines, roomier inside and much more comfortable, and the increase in power was much needed. Interestingly as I questioned xB owners about the new styling I received pretty much mixed reviews. Some I talked with really didn’t like the new rounded styling and preferred the more angular look of the earlier models.
All in all though, I think it will be well received and be very successful because it has an even better fun quotient and certainly is functional, just check out all the “wrapped” xB’s you see running around town. So, if you’re in the market for a really fun little grocery getter, the xB from Scion may be just what you’re looking for.
Cathy says:
 As much as the xB has made some changes/improvements, I think it’s lost the uniqueness of having someone yelling out to you, “how do you like driving a toaster?” The xB was loved by a unique audience of young, open minded, gen x and Y’s that saw the fun in ordering their cars in a type of underground cult fashion. If a boomer owned one it was for the great gas mileage or an ageless Toyota loyalist. For sure they had to have a mantra of “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me”.
Today’s ’08 is more appealing to the masses of consumers. Of course it’s been supersized; like everything else these days. They’ve added a foot in overall length and the overall width is up 2.8 inches. The exterior has a wide and low stance and sculpted wheel arches for a new look. I guess the long front overhang is supposed to give a more massive impression. It should, they added 600 pounds to the toaster on wheels.
 The “growth” of the xB has added interior room and an optional 4-speed automatic with sequential shifting and an electric power steering system like the RAV4. These are all good things and probably have been customer requests for improvements since 2004. Anything made by Toyota will always be top quality and based on what the people want.
The ’08 xB opens doors to an older unique, odd and trendy buyer as well as keeping the first generation xB lovers in a very special place.
Bill Z and Cathy D are automotive journalists with over 40 years of diverse automotive experience. You can listen to them every Saturday afternoon at 2PM on KKNT 960AM.
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