First off, the car that’s the subject of this article, the Scion xB, is not for you, unless you are a high school or college student. But if you are the parent of a Generation Y person, you will probably be learning more than you want to know about the new Scion brand in the next few years, so this is an early warning system. And the fact that the stalwart Toyota organization is behind the new venture means that it will be around a lot longer than the current reality TV star, whoever that is this week.

Yes, Toyota has created a separate brand aimed at Gen Y, which refers to young adults under 26, although so-called experts don’t quite agree on the age range. But no mind, we’re talking about the population that’s just learning how to shave, but is seen as wielding a big stick economically. Social researchers of various stripes spend a lot of time trying to divide the generations into neat categories, such as baby boomers, Generation X and Y, etc. The idea is to assign a special zeitgeist 
(a big German words that relates to prevailing thoughts, attitudes and prejudices)
to each group so they can motivate us to buy more anti-aging cream or whatever. 
You can bet that Toyota bought into the research on Gen Y in its inexorable march toward being the number one seller of automotive products in the world. One of the things that kids of this age, like all kids from all generations, don’t want to be is like their parents. Another factor is that the guys are heavily into customizing their little cars, which has now spawned a huge industry that can sell a special replacement for almost any part in a Honda Civic from the taillights to engine modifications. Of course the other reason that Toyota has developed a new brand for the kids is that so far its products haven’t had the same cache with young adults as Honda products, particularly the Civic. So if you can’t sell the Toyota brand, create a new one.

I believe that the strategy may bear fruit. What the new Scion line does is to let Toyota run wild in pursuit of the youth market, something it couldn’t do under the Toyota banner with its rather conservative market position. And you can develop the new product with customization possibilities not inherent in the standard Toyota Corolla. 

The Scion xB is a pretty radical departure from current thinking about the shape of an automobile. The only thing that is resembles is the Honda Element, but the xB is even more radically squared off. Furthermore, it doesn’t look like anything that mom would ever drive. Classified by the EPA as a small wagon, the xB is the latest thing from Toyota’s design studio, although the external shape would probably be quite at home in the 1920s when all cars had sharp edges, slab sides and 90-degree angles everywhere. On the other hand, Toyota has managed to make the boxy Scion xB sort of cute. I particularly like the way that big front bumper juts forward. I’m not sure if it looks like a pout or someone defiantly thrusting his jaw forward.

Despite its tiny engine that barely breaks 100 horsepower, the Scion xB is surprisingly peppy. I could pass slower traffic while ascending a relatively steep mountain grade without sweaty palms. As you’d expect, the gas mileage is terrific, which should help any kid who has just laid out more than $18,00 for his or her xB. The little van is also quite agile and wheels around tight city streets and parting lots with ease.

But the really interesting stuff is what you can add to your xB. Our model was equipped with a few of the options that Toyota hopes will proliferate on the order sheets. First off, our test xB was equipped with the $774 Sound Package that features the Bazooka Tube Subwoofer, an aftermarket favorite. The Bazooka is a huge 18-inch by 10-inch plastic tube that is installed in the storage area behind the rear seat. Yes, it drastically cuts down on the relatively small storage area, but who cares when you can knock out your dental fillings with the booming bass this baby puts out.

The other interesting addition was the $879 red light package. Now this one is probably going to shock any oneover 30, but the lighting package illuminates the cup holder and the xB’s floor in red light. I guess the kids need to see their shoes bathed in red light although I cannot imagine why. 

Vehicle: Scion xB
Price as tested: $18,413
Engine:
Type: 1.5-liter inline 4
Horsepower: 108 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 105-ft. lbs. @ 105 rpm
Fuel economy, automatic transmission 
City - 30 mpg
Highway - 34 mpg
Curb Weight: 2,450lbs.