Based on the numbers, the xB is a legitimate economy car. After almost 12,000 miles, the Scion has achieved 22.7 mpg and garnered maintenance cost of just $24.99, thanks in part to a complimentary first service at 5000 miles. No wonder SUV owners are trading in their gas-guzzlers. The best part, though, is that the xB doesn't really drive like an economy car. "For the economy car that it is," says Truck Trend Web producer Melissa Spiering, "I like how it felt on the highway-it wasn't rough, it reached a good driving speed without my having to put my foot to the floor, and I didn't have any 'I need more speed, captain' issues when getting around slower vehicles. Plus, it pulled nicely up a 4000-foot elevation change without a struggle, something that proved a problem in the previous generation."
| 2008 Scion xB |
| Months/miles in service | 9/11,988 |
| Avg econ/CO2 | 22.7 mpg/0.85 lb/mi |
| Unresolved problems | None |
| Maintenance cost | $24.99 (2 oil change/inspection/rotate tires) |
| Normal-wear cost | $0 |