2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Scion xB gets Second Life

I'm certainly not part of the market demographic for Scion, but I think this new xB and the new xD are among some of the best styled vehicles Toyota has ever come out with.
 
It goes to show you that Toyota's design department is not in a coma, and that there is indeed life there.

Will be interested to see where FE lands. The Scion tC posts poor EPA figures, but Consumer Reports (and most owners) seem to average in the 26 MPG range with stick.
 
~alpha

The appeal of the original (for me) was price, fuel efficiency, and interior space.
 
This thing has increased everything -- overall size, engine output, features... I hope they didn't ruin the price or fe.
 
I was secretly hoping for a hybrid version.

Other photos of the headlights seem to indicate a xenon-look. Are those HIDs? Are they really putting HIDs in a Scion?

I don't think so. From what I read, they're actually integrating the fog lights in the same compartment as the headlights.
 
I like it. Design for Scion is WAY better than Toyota. It's not so vanilla. I don't like that thick c-pillar a la FJ. I liked the windows the current xB has, but other than that, I'm liking it. If it wasn't for the three car seats that I have to have in the minivan, this would be something I'd drive.

Actually, HIDs will be a factory option. And stability control has been standard even for the previous model. Not bad.
 
Those instruments still aren't as conventional as I'd like, though. I may check one out. Hope they put the glass roof from the tC in one.
 
I also see a double-DIN stereo opening. Very aftermarket friendly.

I really like this new xB, I also liked the outgoing one too, but this one is so much better, I hope it keeps the same price.

I"m on Second Life but I'm still lost near the entrance. But my avatar is cool. ;-)

I'm not a big fan of center stack instrumentation, but I do like the quad gauge arrangement. The utilitarian and segregated look of the dash is perfect for this car, though to me very reminiscent of earlier Wranglers, if that makes sense...
 
~alpha

The center-mounted instruments work well in the 1st gen. xB because they're offset to the left. I find it's easier on the eyes, less refocusing necessary.
 
I like the way this one looks, but I really don't think Scions would've taken off with their target market if not for the $15,000 price tag (non-negotiable). This car's bigger, faster, better, but so much so that it's not the xB anymore. They should've renamed this one, and kept the xA name for the xD (which, imo, is more similar to the original).

I disagree with you that its not an xB anymore. Its not an xB simply because its bigger and more powerful? The last gen was smallish and undeniably slow, especially with an automatic. .... The 2.4L is a HUGE step up... and can be very efficient, as in the 3300 lb Camry, where the 5M gets 34 Highway....
 
I would expect a price increase, but not a huge one - I'd bet on less than a grand, which would be reasonable, given that previously unavailable side curtains (a very worthwhile feature... IMO) are now standard....and on other Toyotas, they've cost $650
~alpha

Driver legroom seems to be lacking. Why is the center console so close?
 
This should be quite competitive to the HHR.

Ugly exteriors (stock anyway), nasty interior center-pod instrument display, stronger (but still somewhat weak engines overall, especially given that the vehicles *have to have gotten heavier too*), and *ONLY* four speeds in the automatic option? Uh-huh. I can see the justification for buying one of these over any of the stated competition..
 
On the other hand, the customized versions are fairly attractive looking. Fix the parts that make them go to match and my assessment goes from negative to positive very quickly.

I just hope the xB has cruise control. Reportedly, the xD does not and the old xB didn't either.

Visited the scion site and info for 08 models says the lights are halogen. Bummer.

This comes from Wardsauto.com:
"The ’08 xB bears a slight resemblance to the new Toyota bB, which went on sale in Japan last year. Both have a wide, tall front end, but the bB has a flatter hood and unique grille and front bumper. The xB’s fog lights are integrated into the headlights while the bB’s fog lights are mounted on the lower bumper."
That's why I said that the HID-looking pods are really the headlights with the foglights integrated.

I disagree that if you liked the first one you will like the new one. I loved the original xB and this version has lost all of my favorite things.
 
The proportions are much more conventional now and it has lost some of its "lowered miniature cargo van" look.
 
What made the xB the xB was that it was square, and so what did they do? rounded all of the edges!? The windscreen is raked more than it used to be and they added the fender flares off the of the xA(my least favorite part of that car) on to it.
 
I like the increas in cargo capacity but it will no doubt come at the cost of FE, one of the major selling points of the original model. I could see them offering the 2.4L engine as an option, but as the only available engine I think they will lose a lot of buyers.
 
No doubt the price will increase as well.
 
I would describe the original xB as "cheap, small, fuel efficient and looks like nothing else on the road", those are all of the things they changed!

Good Lord, that thing is ugly!!! I suppose I am one of those that Scion is marketing towards (I'm 17). It is rare that someone makes a car so ugly that it immediately turns me off no matter what it's good side may have. The thing is just so freakin' ugly! The same for the other new Scion. I will not be buying one of these anytime soon. The only one I'd consider would be the tC, but I'm sure they'll screw up the redesign on that one too.