NurSpec

http://www.c16mag.com/GARAGE_item.aspx?cid=1844 Pics inside!

Long Live the Box!

Scion, the company, launched less than four short years ago with the xB— basically a re-badged Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Toyota bB mini-car. The xB/bB's iconic box shape immediately gave Scion identity and essentially launched the brand. Though not Scion's best seller (that would be the tC which some would argue has filled the void left by Honda's Civic moving upmarket), the xB is probably the company's most important car. Scion brass recognizes this, so when it came to making a new box car, they listened to their customers. And they wanted a bigger box—the car you see here is the result of their feedback. Unlike its predecessor, this car was engineered for the US market and will sell here first. While this may leave the JDM faithful howling, it will undoubtedly keep the majority of xB owners, old and new, happy and in the fold.

The 2008 xB is bigger everywhere. It's a foot longer with four inches more wheelbase and an extra three inches in width. Stock wheels are 16 inchers (up an inch) covering bigger and now all-disk brakes. Most importantly, the inline-four motor grows 50% from 1.6 liters to 2.4—with a corresponding increase to 158 horsepower. It's actually the tC's motor with VVT-I valve train. There's the option of five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions. The box shape of course continues but with softer edges, a more aggressive stance and more modern look. We dig the design and feel it already makes the outgoing car look dated.

Though all Scions come in “mono-spec,” this doesn't mean the xB's a stripper. That bigger interior is well thought out to meet the “lifestyle needs” of the owner, including 60/40 fold-flat rear seats trimmed in charcoal cloth, and a bunch of cubbies and storage options. The switchgear, surfaces and materials all have a look and feel of quality well above that of the outgoing model, including a few nice metal-tone trim accents to make you feel good about spending your hard-earned dough. We particularly like the uniquely designed array of circular gauges centered on the dash. There's even a multi information display you can toggle through MPG, temperature, etc.—something you wouldn't see on an “economy” car even a year or two back. Keeping in line the target audience, the standard sound system pumps out 160 watts and features all important proper iPod connectivity with actual control and information at the head unit—something we're only just seeing at much higher price points. So what does this all add up to?

We got to sample the xB at its long lead launch in exotic downtown Hollywood —exactly two blocks from the plush C16 offices! The test route included our commute home on Mulholland—for real—and then shot us onto a stretch of the infamous 405 freeway for some of LA's worst traffic. Not exactly inspiring but probably in line with the majority of use xBs are going to get. Driving the car, immediately there's a solid feel with well damped comfortable suspension and confident handling. Though it's not going to win any drag races, the motor is more than up to the task of moving this bigger and heavier box around. The five-speed shifter is slightly vague—though that could have been down to the fact this was a pre-production prototype.

We definitely would steer you away from the TRD short shifter we sampled in one car—not a good option! It's one of many aftermarket upgrades available to personalize your xB over its monospec. Options available include everything from suspension and wheel packages to shift ***** to a full supercharger kit, and all can be wrapped into the financing and installed at the dealer upon purchase. Word is that some past xB buyers have specced their new cars to double the base price. Looking at the parts sheet we can definitely see how, though even given our love of the aftermarket we're not sure why you'd go quite so far. Our advice would be to carefully consider the options. We tried an xB on 19s with low profile tires and the stock 16s gave much better ride and handling. Though, as you can see in our photos, the almost-dubs are a good look!

We seem to keep using this term on the new entry-level vehicles being introduced this year, but the xB definitely punches above its class with its overall quality. Its fresh, unique, boxcar look, along with the ability to personalize before leaving the showroom floor makes it a very attractive package. Though not a performance car typical of our usual taste, if we needed a solid commuter car with personality, even more so than the outgoing car, we could definitely see ourselves buying into the Scion lifestyle with the new xB. The '08 xB certainly warrants a spot in the C16 Garage.


--Sorry if repost

Matrixv01

That article pretty much nails how I feel about the new xB. Long live the Box! indeed.

It also doesn't hurt that the xB they drove looks just like my Hypnotic Teal w/TRD's, minus the spoiler.

uberspeed

Interesting mag.

Sciond

ugly rally xb....