Why do people buy hatchbacks?  Usually because they are looking for a practical solution for small hauling jobs, right?  I mean what other reason would there be to have the back end of your vehicle open up?  You want an easy way to get to cargo.

Why do people buy compact wagons?  Again, for storage space, but most definitely for hauling a number of passengers around comfortably.

And why do people buy Scions?  If you asked previous Scion owners, you would most likely hear “fun” as the number one reason. Scions are fun cars to drive and they have a little spice that most drivers enjoy.

Put all three of those things together, the practicality of a hatchback, the roominess of a compact wagon, and the fun factor, and you have the 2015 Scion xB.  The good news about the xB is that it has the most interior space of any hatchback similarly priced on the market.  The good news is it seats four adults comfortably and still has storage space.  The good news is the folding rear seat that adds 70 cubic feet of space.

The bad news:  the gas mileage falls short of the competition.  The Scion xB is rated at 24 mpg, and that is a few mph short of the Kia Soul or for that matter the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-5.

The Scion xB is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 158 horsepower.  It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission with a four-speed automatic as optional.  The xB can go 0-60 in 8.6 seconds, a pretty quick time for this classification.

Safety features include antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. In brake testing the xB stopped from 60-0 in 124 feet, an average test figure.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the xB it’s highest rating in most tests but it received a low test rating in small-overlap frontal-offset testing.

Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass, a rearview camera, full power accessories, air conditioning, cruise control, driver seat height adjustment, an a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

So what are you looking for in a compact wagon or hatchback?  If you want roominess and a touch of flair, the Scion xB just might we worth a look.  If you are looking for great gas mileage, go take a look at Honda.  Either way, look at All Import Auto Parts for your replacement auto parts for your vehicle.