The new xB: Scion's icon loses rough edges

The new xB, on sale now, is more powerful and smoother-riding. But Scion was known for not appealing to everyone.

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A honeycomb of hidden storage spaces make it easy to hide (lots and lots of) small items in the back of the Scion xB. Fold-flat rear seats also make it easy to carr large items.
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All that extra size means extra space, but it also means more weight. Fortunately, the new xB has a significantly more powerful engine under the hood to help move that extra weight.

The old xB relied on its light weight to get the most of a mere 103 horsepower engine. With 158 horsepower, the new xB doesn't need to struggle to carry its larger body. The added weight also makes the xB feel more settled at high speeds.

The new xB is also markedly quieter. Overall, a brief test drive revealed what seems to be a truly passable long-distance cruiser.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the xB drops from 28 mpg overall in the earlier version to 24 in this one. Annual fuel costs increase by an estimated $290 a year, according to the EPA.


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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.