When Toyota launched its Scion brand in 2003, it promised surprises. The 2008 Scion xB delivers on that promise, but not in the way fans might have expected. [This story originally appeared in the July 2007 issue of MotorTrend with the headline “Trick in a Box.”] Step 1: Cut a whole new box.
Bigger Box, Bigger Engine
The second-generation xB is a substantial upgrade. It’s longer, wider, and 600 pounds heavier than its predecessor, gaining a foot in overall length, with 4.0 inches added between the wheels. Overall width increases by 2.8 inches, while height remains nearly unchanged, rising only 0.1 inch. The 2.4-liter engine, borrowed from the Scion tC, delivers 158 horsepower—a 55-horsepower jump, along with a 61 pound-feet increase in torque to 162 pound-feet.
Despite the added weight, Toyota claims only a 10% drop in fuel economy. The interior has grown too, offering 10.7 cubic feet more space for passengers.
American Influence, Japanese Engineering
Designed in collaboration with Toyota’s CALTY studio in California and Kanto Auto Works in Japan, the new xB blends American styling with Japanese engineering. The result is a vehicle that looks and feels more substantial, with a wide, low stance and sculpted wheel arches. Its supersized dimensions and added weight give it a more menacing appearance, supported by its increased visual mass.
The driving experience has improved as well. The five-speed manual transmission is more precise, relocated to the dash with a shorter lever, making it feel more responsive. The optional four-speed automatic with sequential shifting is a first for Toyota. The Electric Power Steering system, similar to the one in the Toyota RAV4, is seamless and integrates effortlessly into the road manners.
Scion’s target audience has always been young buyers, and the brand’s success is evident. In 2006, Scion sold 173,034 vehicles, outperforming Volvo by 50,000 units and Suzuki by 70,000 over the same period. The average age of Scion tC buyers is just 30, the lowest in the industry, highlighting the brand’s appeal to younger demographics.
The 2008 xB starts at $16,230, a price that’s hard to argue with, even for the most discerning JDM enthusiast.
Engineering and Performance Enhancements
The 2008 Scion xB’s engineering focuses on balancing comfort and performance. Toyota’s engineers prioritized a quiet cabin, using tight panel fits and sound-deadening materials to minimize wind noise and road vibration. The MacPherson strut front and rear-beam axle suspension system is tuned for ride quality, though it still handles corners adequately. For those seeking more aggressive handling, accessory manufacturers offer modifications to enhance the xB’s cornering capabilities.
The Scion xD: A New Contender
Scion introduces the xD as a replacement for the xA, addressing previous sales estimates. Developed in partnership with Toyota’s Daihatsu subsidiary, the xD features sharper styling, a wider stance, and tighter wheel-to-fender clearance, eliminating the jellybean comparisons that plagued the xA. Its exterior dimensions are closer to the first-generation xB, but the interior, particularly the rear, offers less headroom, necessitating sliding and reclining rear seats.
The xD’s 2ZR-FE 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine incorporates dual variable valve timing, a first for Toyota in a compact car. The EPA estimates combined fuel economy for the xD at 30 mpg with the five-speed manual. A four-speed automatic also is available. New model, new look, but same Scion message: Buy it cheap and make it your own via a wide range of accessories. When it comes out in August, the 2008 xD should be somewhere in the $14,000 range.
Unlike the xB, the xD gets a more traditional driver-centered dash layout, though it features a trick concentric gauge cluster that shows speed and rpm on one dial, with their respective needles fluttering independently.
