Ever since Toyota took the first generation Scion xB and Americanized it for the second generation, making it larger, heavier, thirstier, and uglier, sales have gone in the crapper. Toyota has learned from their mistakes, and fixed all of these problems.

Just kidding. The 2011 Scion xB gets a minor update, and the update went into making it uglier than ever. The front end goes from unpleasant to downright offensive, while the rear manages to not get any uglier. There are some very slight interior changes, including a telescoping steering wheel.

Pricing goes up by a scant $150 across the board. While a price increase may not initially seem like the smartest choice right now, the reality is that costs go up every year, and $150 is extremely reasonable.

If you really want to see the abomination known as the 2011 Scion xB, pics are after the jump.

2011 Scion xB

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When the first Scion xB was released, I wasn’t sure what I hated more – the look or the name. Ignoring the stupid name, I was left with the look. In my mind, some highly paid Toyota designer was eating breakfast one morning. He was probably making himself a bit of toast – maybe he was going to put cinnamon & sugar on it, the way I like it.

Anyway, as his toast was cooking, he was sitting there staring at his toaster, willing it to pop, when it hit. What if he designed a car that looked *exactly* like a toaster? And thus, the Scion xB was born, and the rest is history.

Back to the subject at hand – the new 2008 Scion xB. Toyota stepped and and made the same mistake that every automaker makes, every time they design a new vehicle. They weren’t able to resist bulking it up, and making it larger in just about every dimension. Toyota added a foot in length, 4 inches in wheelbase, and 2.8 inches in width. Oh, and a cool 636 pounds. That explains the huge nosedive in the fuel economy area. Yes, I know that this car is rated on the 2008 EPA system,which results in lower mileage. But the 2007 xB was rated at 30 city / 34 highway. The new xB plummets to a dismal 22 city / 28 highway. Bigger car + bigger engine = much worse gas mileage.

See, Toyota, the reason people bought the xB over others cars, was because of the funky styling, small size ( easy to park, fit anywhere ) and good gas mileage. You’ve taken away the small size ans good gas mileage. Now all they’ve got left is funky styling – I’m not sure that’s enough.

2008 Scion xB Specs

• 158 HP 2.4 liter inline 4
• 5 speed manual or available 4 speed automatic transmission
• Side and curtain airbags standard
• EPA Says : 22 / 28 mpg
• Still shaped like a toaster

2008 Scion xB Reviews

The Car Connection reviews the 2008 Scion xB and writes – ‘The xB, like Honda’s Element, doesn’t suffer for being square. Yes, it’s chopped and stubby, but it’s also purposeful and, dare we judge, hip? This time around, the details are more convincing, like the embossed circles on the taillights, the eyebrows on the headlights that require no waxing, and the dark-tinted rear windows.’

Kicking Tires reviews the 2008 Scion xB and writes – ‘The xB’s larger and significantly more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 158 hp and teams with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The xB scoots easily in and out of traffic and accelerates up to highway speeds with ease. The center-mounted tachometer is a bit difficult to read at a glance, though owners will likely get used to its location over time. I tested a manual-transmission xB, and even though the shifter is a bit notchy at times, it’s precise and easy to move through the gears quickly.’

Motor Trend reviews the 2008 Scion xB and writes – ‘As they did the first time around, Toyota engineers used tight panel fits and strategically placed sound-deadening material to quash wind noise and road vibration. What remains is a quiet and comfortable cabin, set upon a MacPherson strut front and rear-beam axle suspension system tuned more for ride quality than cornering prowess. Though the xB does an admirable job of splitting the difference, owners willing to sacrifice comfort for turning will easily find a wide range of accessory manufacturers happy to punch their ticket.’

ScionZone reviews the 2008 Scion xB and writes – ‘What about the overall appearance? It’s still certainly an xB, but it’s lost a little bit of it’s uniqueness with the softer lines, more sloped front, and shorter height overall. Perhaps moving it a bit towards mainstream will widen the appeal of the vehicle even more, however, some of the hardcore enthusiasts might be put off – they might shop for a ’07 after all. Time will tell.’

TTAC reviews the 2008 Scion xB and laments their failure to put in a decent transmission – ‘In another GM-esque move, the Camry’s five-speed automatic didn’t make the bean-counter’s cut; the xB’s old four-speed slushbox soldiers on. Buyers opting for the manual tranny now row their boat with a shifter that protrudes from a large extension from the bottom of the dash– which enhances the perception of lost interior real estate. Equally annoying, the vague-acting clutch pedal sticks up higher than the brake pedal.’

Edmunds reviews the 2008 Scion xB and writes – ‘The downside of flogging the new xB is the cacophony of harsh engine noise and screaming transmission that boom through the cockpit — a definitive reminder that you’re driving an econobox, and it would really rather you just stop being so aggressive.’

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it.2008 Scion xb Review is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.