For more than a year I've been parking in the same spot each morning when I visit the downtown Plymouth Starbucks.  The only conversation that I had in that time with the baristas has been related to my order.  And then there was the Scion xB.  The twenty-something behind the counter asked me, "Is that your Scion?"  Which led to a discussion about the car, during which time he made it clear that he thinks it is cool.  Exceedingly cool.  When I mentioned that it seems to me to be a bit underpowered (1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 108 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 105 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,200 rpm), his colleague chimed in, interrupting the guy talk, with, "That's because you're supposed to use it driving in downtown Royal Oak with your friends."  For those of you who are not familiar with the sociogeography of metro Detroit, know that Royal Oak is the quintessential locale for the likes of a Scion.  When I made a suggestion to the male barista that he might want to look into getting an xB, he told me that he didn't need another small car: he presently drives a Mini.

All of which is to say that Scion has it right.  And nothing more need be said.

Scion xB Briefly:

Base price: $13,680

Delivery: $550

Total: $14,195

Engine: DOHC, 16-valve, VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence), four cylinder

Standard transmission: five-speed manual

Overall height, width, length: 64.6 in., 66.5 in., 155.3 in. (which helps explain its rectangular nature)

Wheelbase: 98.4 in.

City/highway MPG: 31/34

Descriptor: Funky