2011 Scion xB feels fairly stable at highway speeds

Scion xB

The Scion xB gets some key changes for 2011. The xB started life dripping with hipster cool. For 2011, a new telescoping steering wheel makes finding a comfortable seating position easier for taller drivers.

Standard on every Scion xB is a six-speaker Pioneer sound system with an iPod interface, a regular auxiliary audio jack, an RCA output for additional speakers and a customizable head unit display. The main drawback to the 2011 Scion xB is its fuel economy. The Scion xB Release Series 8.0 adds to the base car's equipment exclusive Voodoo Blue paint, a sunroof, a four-piece lower body kit and blue-accented upholstery.

The front-wheel-drive 2011 Scion xB is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 that produces 158 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic with auto manual control is the xB's lone factory option. In performance testing, an automatic-equipped Scion xB hustled from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds.

The 2011 Scion xB comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Boasting 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with those seats folded down, the Scion xB is a legitimate fair-weather alternative to compact SUVs.

The 2011 Scion xB feels fairly stable at highway speeds, although its slab-sided styling makes it vulnerable to crosswinds.

Interested in buying a Scion xB? Don’t, however, expect any revolutionary changes. Cars.com says: The most notable change is the jutting front bumper, which is similar to the original model’s chinlike protrusion.
The headlights, taillights and front and rear bumpers also get restyled. The cabin also receives a small amount of freshening, beginning with new front seats with larger bolsters, reports Car and Driver.

Available only in one trim level, the 2011 Scion xB comes with four doors and seats five passengers very comfortably. With standard features like keyless entry, full power accessories, a trip computer and six-speaker Pioneer stereo system, the xB leaves little doubt that its primary audience is young, tech-savvy car buyers. Even with the seats upright, the xB offers 21 cubic feet of storage.

Even with its wind-resistant, non-aerodynamic frame, the Scion xB pulls down an EPA-estimated 22 mpg during city driving, 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined.

With front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, stability and traction control standard, the xB also offers four wheel antilock disc brakes which helped it stop from 60 mph in just 124 feet.