2008 Scion xB Review | Buyer Guide
The Box Gets Bigger
Scion’s quirky xB van has grown up. Owners said they wanted a “bigger box,” according to Mark Templin, Scion vice president. So, a bigger box is what they get for 2008. The xB is now a foot longer and three inches wider. It also rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, up four inches from last year. The main benefit of all this is increased passenger space—it’s10.7 cu.-ft. larger now.
However, besides being bigger this year, the xB sports new styling. Some I spoke with thought the new design looked more mature, while others said it lacked the distinctiveness of the original. The designers softened the shape by eliminating the sharp creases in the sheet metal. However, the front end is still rather blunt, and prone to collecting bugs. On the other end, an offset backup light shows that the xB hasn’t totally gone mainstream.
On the inside, the xB seams less funky than before. The speedometer is no longer tacked on to the top of the dash. Instead, it resides with other gauges in a center-mounted receptacle. The gearshift now sprouts from an extension of the lower dash and is easier to reach. The charcoal interior gets a bit more brushed-silver trim.
Passengers sit in chair-like comfort and enjoy a fine view of the road. Head and legroom are good for the most part, except that tall drivers could stand a bit more seat travel. However, rear passengers should have no complaint, they have loads of room. A high-opening liftgate and a low-mounted floor make loading cargo easy. Concealed storage compartments for valuables are located under the floor, and the rear seat.
Standard equipment on the xB includes a 160-watt Pioneer sound system with iPod connectivity. A mini-jack port enables users to listen to their music through the car’s speakers. A premium audio system, as well as satellite radio, are also available at extra cost. In fact, there are a total of 38 options by which buyers can customize their xBs to suit their taste. Surprisingly, you can even outfit your xB with a navigation system or a DVD entertainment system with headrest monitors— features you usually only find on more expensive cars.
The revamped 2008 xB is a lot heavier vehicle. It weighs 600 pounds more than last years model. To cope with this, Toyota installed the 2.4-liter engine from the Scion tC sports coupe. This motor produces 158 horsepower, 50 more than the original car could generate. Acceleration is brisk, and the ’08 is much better climbing hills, even with the four-speed automatic. The automatic, by the way, comes with a sport mode enabling drivers to change gears for themselves. Of course, for those who prefer to shift all the time, there’s the standard five-speed manual.
On the road, the xB handles much like its predecessor. It leans a bit in corners, but overall, it feels very predictable. Toyota equips this car with its electronic anti-skid system, a feature I really appreciated when I had to make a sudden lane change on the freeway. The ride quality has improved this year, thanks to the longer wheelbase. The choppiness that you use to feel has been substantially reduced.
The 2008 Scion xB is better in just about every way, except gas mileage. I got 27 mpg on the old version, and just 24.9 on the new one. The base price is also slightly higher at $16,270.
Snapshot Review
Bigger and Heavier Now
Softer Styling
More Power
Upscale Options
