Acceleration

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
4	3	4.4

Styling, not speeding, is the xB's mission. Even with slick-shifting manual transmission, test xB did a lazy 9.8 sec 0-60 mph. Even sleepier with automatic: only adequate around town, weak for merging, passing.

Fuel Economy

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Manual-transmission xB averaged 24.6 mpg in test that included gas-eating performance runs. Test automatic version averaged 26.3 mpg in city/highway driving.

Ride Quality

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.9

Jiggly but not uncomfortable on fast freeways, though some bucking over sharp bumps, big humps. Hard and thumpy with dealer-available upsized wheels and/or firmer suspension components.

Steering/Handling/Braking

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.6

Stable feel, moderate body lean in tight, fast corners. Standard antiskid system a plus, but small, skinny tires have limited grip, squeal early in turns. Quick steering, compact turning circle aid parking. Standard ABS gives competent routine braking, but our simulated panic-stop test showed fairly long distances.

Quietness

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.2

Not irksome at full throttle, but only average in top-gear 60-mph cruising, with about equal parts engine hum and tire drone. Wind rush modest for such a bluff box of a body.

Controls

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	6	5.9

Large, round dashtop gauge cluster is slightly right of driver, but easy to read. Warning lights grouped to its right a bit small and distant. Audio unit to right of steering wheel with climate panel below; all have large, simple controls. Assembly, cabin materials in line with modest prices, but cloth upholstery surprisingly classy. Available LED cabin accent lights typical of xB's "rolling nightclub" aspirations.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	7	5.5

Drivers sit higher than in most small cars and enjoy excellent visibility. Some may wish for more seat travel and steering-wheel tilt, but tall body provides near top-hat head clearance, adult-size leg room. Seats firm, well-shaped, though cushions a bit short for best thigh support.

Room/Comfort (rear)

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
7	7	3.9

Head room generous here, too, as is leg space even with front seats pushed far back. But rear bench too narrow for three adults, too short in cushion and backrest. No-strain entry/exit, despite narrow floor passages.

Cargo Room

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	6	4.7

Usefully cubic cargo bay, but floor just 21 inches long behind rear seat, 52 inches with seatbacks folded. Cargo floor lifts for access to spare tire and hidden storage cubby. Rear seat has no bins for small-item storage, but front offers assorted slots and pockets, plus three cupholders.

Value within Class

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.2

The xB melds hip-hop style with box-on-wheels practicality in a solid, pleasant little wagon. It's also priced right at around $14,000 to start. But watch those options or your xB could end up over $18,000 like one of our test examples.

Total Score

xB, man.	xB, auto.	Class Average
57	56	52

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		52
High Score		64