No, we weren't on a mission to see a Korean-made minivan. We left Phoenix in our 2008 Scion xB and headed north on Interstate 17 to Sedona, Arizona, otherwise known as red rock country. This freeway climbs up several grades, so we weren't expecting to set any fuel economy records.
But it did turn out to be a good test of the enlarged xB's 2.4-liter engine. In a word, it was great (in the dimminutive family-hauler sense of the word.) Even with 4 people and luggage stuffed into every nook, the Scion was able to blast up 6% grades at 75 mph, the speed limit for much of the way. Pulling out to pass semis was never an issue, and the Sport mode on the xB's automatic worked like a champ.
Luggage space seems to be OK for short trips like this, but the Scion would be too small for our annual Christmas trip. It'll hold 4 carry-on suitcases, my laptop case, my wife's bag of "products" and a couple of pillows, but not much else. The girls are used to surrounding themselves with a lot of stuff on trips like this, but Shelby, my oldest, said she felt cramped.
Still, the Scion xB is working out well for this trip.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 15,994 miles (Thursday, March 27)
redmaxx says:
12:51 AM, 03/29/08
Did you get to try out the cruise control? If it's anything like my Vibe (Toyota cruise) it's very nice. I drove that stretch not too long ago, set the cruise for 80-85 and it had no problem downshifting for grade changes. It was also smart enough not to kick back up the minute things started to level out.
tlcruz says:
05:57 AM, 03/29/08
This post reminds me when my mom took me && my brother on the 16-hour drive (every year until we were 15&16) to Frisco, Colorado, we always took her 91 Blazer, folded down the seat and had tons of room. Granted, we were 5 & 6 when we started doing this but we never complained about space! And once my mom got married to my step-dad, we got a Suburban ('97 and 00') and then in 03, she got a Yukon and now that no one is living at home except my brother whose hardly home, It barely moves because of rising gas prices!!! She walks & rides her bike everywhere :) I keep telling to get rid of it and get something smaller like a Equinox or something like that. I really think the Xb would be good for her but she's all about american cars, lol
texases says:
12:31 PM, 03/29/08
Great example of where the new xB works where the old xB wouldn't. Doubt you could manage the grades or pass very easily with that load and a 1.5l.
echobravo says:
03:39 PM, 03/29/08
I just picked up my xB .. in the same color Edmunds chose. It's great to see a post like this. I love my l'il go cart and still can't believe how roomy it is on the inside.
With $4+ a gallon gas on the way, I ditched my Chevy Tahoe for the xB. So far, I'm wanting for nothing. The Gen 2 xB's MPG may be apalling considering what the 1st Gen machine got, but coming from a Tahoe, it's pretty great!
Keep the xB posts coming, as this great read was instrumental in helping me make up my mind before I signed on the dotted line.
dougtheeng says:
07:45 AM, 03/31/08
I think the color is starting to grow on me.
estreka says:
08:49 AM, 03/31/08
"I think the color is starting to grow on me."
That makes one of us.