2008 Scion xB First Drive

Before the advent of Atari and the subsequent proliferation of Nintendo, not to mention MP3 players and remote-controlled televisions in every corner of the house (including the hopper), kids made due with little more than imagination and whatever might be lying around the house. Like the big box Mom’s new stove came in. With four walls and functioning doors/windows/escape hatches on each end, an open mind suddenly had access to a fort, house, ship, hideaway, or maybe even a cool vehicle.

Fast forward 20 years, to a time when it’s not socially-acceptable for adults to spend time in recycled Maytag hot rods. The neighbors and police would surely take notice. Instead, there’s the 2008 Scion xB, which with its boxy shape and open interior offers one of the best automotive solutions to the quest for inner-child satisfaction. This newest version, sporting greater overall dimensions wrapped in less square-edged styling, carries on with Scion’s blank-canvas approach – the dealer will deliver a nice starting point, but creating a showcase for one’s imagination is the task of the buyer, who will find more than enough ideas through the aftermarket or at the Scion parts counter. Some concessions have been made, as most adults would agree that tested and functioning air conditioning and airbag systems, including standard front-side and side-curtains, are better than any that could be crafted by an artistic mind and a Sharpee. And though the xB’s seats strongly hint at cardboard construction, they are actually a vast improvement over glued wood pulp.

Of course, no cool contraption would be complete without a jet engine that runs on Mountain Dew. Those are still hard to find, so Scion opted instead to amp up the ’08 xB with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 158 horsepower, or 55 more than the model it replaces. Best of all, the base price is only $16,230, which makes the new xB realistic in one of the ways that matters most.

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Scion’s approach to packaging its cars is simple – make one well-equipped trim level available with a choice of transmissions and leave all the cool upgrade stuff for the options list. Buyers of the first-generation xB proved the theory had merit, and Scion product planners are betting it’ll work just as well for the updated 2008 model.

Among the standard features are the modern basics such as power door locks and power windows. Not so basic for the entry-level, budget-conscious buyer are power mirrors with integrated turn signals, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, and a tilt steering wheel with radio controls. Those buttons are connected to a standard six-speaker, 160-watt Pioneer sound system that’s iPod/MP3/WMA compatible and offers Sound Retouch digitalization.

With convenience and tunes covered, Scion moved to safety, packing the 2008 xB with an ABS system bundled with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist systems, a tire pressure monitor, a first-aid kit, stability and traction control systems, and front-side as well as side-curtain airbags.

Impressive as the standard features may be, this is a Scion, which means the appeal is largely dictated by how the ride can be made unique. Though the aftermarket will have a heyday with the new xB, Scion dealers will be flush with parts and accessories aimed at drawing those lucrative customization dollars. On the list is a premium Pioneer sound system ($689), a navigation system ($2,250), a subwoofer ($449), Sirius or XM satellite radio ($449), an interior light kit ($299), a carbon fiber engine cover ($325), rear DVD monitors ($1,599), a remote engine start system ($529), as well as various shift knob and pedal upgrades (all less than $100), 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel options ($795 to $1,595), upgraded tail lights ($375), and much, much more.

In this case, “new and improved” also means “new and more expensive.” Technically, the first-generation xB finished its run with the 2006 model year, at which time the standard model with a manual transmission sold for $14,610 including a $580 destination charge. The 2008 Scion xB starts at $16,230, also including the unchanged $580 destination charge. That $1,620 jump in base price represents an 11-percent increase versus the 2006 xB. The only true factory option, a four-speed automatic transmission, tags on another $950, bringing an xB with a slushbox to $17,180.