Heat from Engine Compartment
 

Today was a mild day (about 80 degrees F). We drove home (10 miles) with the windows down a bit and the fan on (no A/C). When I got into the garage I touched the passenger front fender and it was extremely hot. So was the drivers side front fender. The doors were much much cooler to the touch. Having had the xB for about eight years, I had never noticed this before. Is this typical? All fine with our, coolant, temp gauge etc.

absolutely normal....no insulation between the engine compartment and the fenders....

the xb2 also vents a lot of air from the engine compartment out the back of the front wheel wells. it helps prevent a pressurized up force under the vehicle. so yes it will get fricken hot. remember that with your cold air intake system. insulate it from engine bay air.