2008 Scion xB Quality Review

Because Scion is a direct descendant of the Toyota brand (and still wholly owned by the big T), you'd anticipate top-notch quality throughout. Unfortunately, the 2008 Scion xB doesn't meet expectations in a couple key areas.

Interior comfort is definitely a mixed bag on the Scion xB, as reviews read by TheCarConnection.com praise the near-limitless headroom and generous cargo space but also note that the seats can be uncomfortable. The Scion xB is designed to hold five occupants, and those up front will find "comfortable and supportive" seats with "ample" headroom, though "taller folks may want more legroom," according to ConsumerGuide. Autoblog writes that headroom on the xB Scion has dropped "four and a half inches in back," though Cars.com adds that the rear seats feature "lots of legroom and a nicely angled backrest." Cars.com also finds that "the front of the cabin is airy, and there's plenty of headroom for tall passengers" on the 2008 Scion xB, but that can prove to be of little consolation if you find yourself in one of the less-than-comfortable seats up front.

For 2008, the Scion xB also adds significant cargo room, which ConsumerGuide says includes "several bins and trays" that "supply handy interior storage," and "the cargo area has a handy under-floor bin." Road & Track notes that "cargo volume goes up about half a cubic foot" and calls the 2008 Scion xB "a lesson in interior space efficiency."

In terms of driving comfort and build quality, Motor Trend reports that the "Toyota engineers used tight panel fits and strategically placed sound-deadening material to quash wind noise and road vibration." Overall, Edmunds thinks that the "xB is user-friendly and comfortable." Other reviews of the xB Scion's build and materials quality vary, with Consumer Guide writing that "the materials are still pleasant for the price" despite the fact that "the interior lacks soft touch surfaces."

On the road, occupant comfort and general drivability have been improved for 2008. This is helped by the 2008 Scion xB's road noise characteristics, which ConsumerGuide feels is "generally well controlled, though larger bumps pound through loudly." The engine is also tame, and ConsumerGuide writes that it is "largely unobjectionable" in terms of the noise it generates.