Some call it box, owners call it a toaster, and critics say its an “angry washing machine”. Love it or Loathe it, the xB is definitely a conversation starter. Based on the Toyota Corolla Rumion, the 2009 Scion xB represents modern Japanese styling with a surprisingly American twist.

Design

The exterior of the xB is identifiable from blocks away. Where the first xB had more of “cut” look to it, this new xB has rounded corners and sculpted edges, making it look more like a brave little toaster than a bento box. There have been many improvements to the exterior, with upgrades including projector headlamps for greater visibility, larger wheels for a smoother ride, and a lower, more aggressive stance. The new xB is about a foot a longer, two inches shorter and three inches wider; all of which help the driving dynamics.

Looking at the profile of the vehicle, one will notice that there is a very thick c-pillar, and though other sites have complained that this reduces rear visibility, I found no problem backing this vehicle into tight parking spaces. You will also notice that the windshield is raked slightly more rearward to improve aerodynamics and makes it less vulnerable to cracking when hit by stones.

Scion is all about customization offering over 35 different accessories to personalize your ride. Our tester featured 19” smoked TRD rims, a rear spoiler, and a Razo shift knob.  I also must mention, the new xB’s accessories are more consistent with the xB’s DNA than that of first, neither looking cheap nor overly pretentious.

Our vehicle was painted in “Hypnotic Teal Mica” which I didn’t favor at first, but quickly became my favorite color as seemed to fit with vehicle’s unique aesthetic. However, I do wish Scion offered more color choices as the palette is skewed towards darker colors.

Performance & Handling

The suspension of the xB has softened a bit, to better cope with some of our rougher roads. Other sites complained that ride it too cushy, but it is the right blend of sporty and comfort. Owners who desire a more connected ride, can always add stiffer shocks and lowering springs. The xB is powered by the same 158hp 2.4 liter engine as the Toyota Camry.  This extra horsepower is the best improvement over the first xB’s whiny 103 hp engine, giving you the much-needed confidence when merging onto highways. Unfortunately, the bump in power combined with an extra 650 pounds of weight, gives the car an upsetting fuel economy rating of 22 city 28 highway.

Interior

On the inside, I can only describe the interior as a black canvas, scrubbed with graphite, then draped in grey. The only thing that seems to stand out are the center mounted gages and center console that is painted in silver. The orange back-lit gages gages are a nice touch, and reflect more of modern feel than previous generation’s contemporary feel. Scion also added temperature gage, which replaces the the outgoing temperature lights.

The xB’s dimensions have improved cargo space and versatility. The higher beltline also gives the vehicle a safer feel when driving.   The seats are firmly padded which is great for short trips but longer hauls will leave you searching for a more comfortable position.

As far as versatility is concerned, the xB was well thought out with cubbyholes placed under the rear seats. I found that these provide generous storage for two to four textbooks and your MacBook Pro. The rear seats also fold flat, giving you enough space to move one dorm rooms worth of stuff back home in the summer. Our favorite feature about the xB is that it has 8 cup holders, even though it only has seating for 5. When we loaded the vehicle with 5 students we discovered that they were well placed, in that no one had to reach over anyone.

Oddities

Scion is a unique brand, which means that these vehicles do have some quirks to them, but some I can’t explain. One being, there is only one reverse light and it is on the driver side. I admit that having two of them would clutter the design of the rear bumper, but the light could be a little brighter. The front sun visors are only effective when the car is pointed directly at sun. Flip the visor to side window and you will realize that they aren’t long enough to block you from anything. For those opting for overhead console Scion has left a space for you put a picture of yourself.

The CD’s take: Overall an excellent car that is unique while still being practical. Though it is not as economical as it once was, the improvements and styling are what move you. The Scion xB is like hottest club; you may have to pay a little extra but you feel a lot better once you are inside.