Bigger xB Is Better

[nsxt2000]

The feature car in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution is the 2008 Scion xB and includes a full color large photo as well. The reviewer likes the more powerful engine - up a full 55 ponies! The limo-like legroom and headroom are impressive too. It says -"The Scion xB has the roominess of a clown car", and I guess that is a complement. The free oil changes at 5,000 and 10,000 miles is a nice touch.

On the down side are poor rear visibility due to the much thicker C-pillar and smaller rear windows, and lack of a long list of options.

It says that the competition for this market segment is fairly small, which will help Scion.

The conlusion - "Bigger xB Is Better!"
-Mike S.

[Greg]

Mike:

GREAT INFO! I took a gander at the new xB several weeks ago while waiting for the 1st of my 3 free oil changes on my tC, and I was pretty intrigued with it. I like the "multiple metrics in one gauge" approach, and the smoother body lines are starting to show up more frequently on the street. I think Scion has a winner in the 2008 xB!!

Greg

[Bill]

The 2008 xB should be their best seller to date. They really did a great redesign and I know customers will love it.

- Bill

[burstaneurysm]

That makes me a sad panda.

It's going to sell well because it's nothing more than your average crossover suv now.
Soccer moms are going to buy the hell out of it because it's cheap.
The new xB is barely a Scion and should never have been named 'xB'.

Most of the 1st gen xB owners would agree that Toyota did a disservice to the entire idea of the Scion brand. The whole idea of the youthful 'underground sub-culture' that they were trying to create with Scion went out the window when they designed a car that everyone is going to want to buy.

A while back, Scion stated that they wanted to limit production of their cars to retain a sense of exclusivity of the brand. And now, they do this.

Toyota vehicles are known for their resiliance, not their looks. Scion was trying to change that and create reliable cars with more extreme stying cues. The heart is Toyota, but the exterior is something much different. The 2008 xB looks like another Toyota.

[karburn]

Also, is it true that the '08 will likely get about 25% LESS mpg than the previous models? Who needs another PT Cruiser? Don't get me wrong, they are still great cars and will sell well, BUT - last Friday I put an 06 and an 08 side by side and the dealership and bought the 06. I used to make fun of the xB's and now I'm a believer.

[burstaneurysm]

Yea, I didn't like them when they first came out in '04, but yea, they're truly a great car.

[captainlaziness]

While it's true that the new 'B has been designed to be more appealing to a larger audience, I think it's still a somewhat polarizing vehicle. It doesn't stand out like the original 'B, but I believe there are still many people who will look at and say "damn that thing is ugly," or "what the heck is that?"

The new 'B just plays to a larger grey area than the first 'B.

[burstaneurysm]

It's true... the new 'B just doesn't have the same charm.