The classification of vehicles can sometimes feel like putting a square peg in a round hole. Take the Xb Car, for example. My insurance company and even the Department of Labor categorize my xB as a station wagon. While technically accurate in some respects, this label feels inadequate, especially when considering the xB’s original design concept as a ‘Tokyo City Car’. To me, and perhaps more fittingly, the term “Urban Utility Vehicle” or UUV, as Scion themselves occasionally used, captures the true essence of what the xB car is.
Yes, you could argue it’s a station wagon, a hatchback, or even a small SUV. Perhaps even a CUV, a ‘trucklet’, or a micro-van. But at its heart, the xB car is a response to the specific utility needs of the urban dweller. It’s a UUV designed for the concrete jungle.
This concept of the UUV extends beyond just the xB car. Many vehicles, particularly in Asia and Europe, embody this UUV philosophy. Unfortunately, North America has seen fewer of these specialized urban vehicles, but that trend is likely to change.
The unique geography and lifestyle in the US play a significant role in our vehicle choices. We have densely packed urban centers like San Francisco, sprawling cities like Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and vast stretches of open road in between. Distance is a defining factor in American driving. Consider the sheer scale: a drive across a medium-sized US state can be 300 miles, traversing diverse landscapes. A trip from Los Angeles to New York City mirrors the distance from Lisbon, Portugal to Moscow, Russia.
However, these journeys are fundamentally different. The European trip crosses multiple countries, cultures, languages, and legal systems. The US trip, while vast, remains within a single country, often with a shared language and consistent regulations. This difference in scale shapes our automotive needs.
We require vehicles tailored to specific tasks. A Porsche Boxster excels in performance driving, while a Kenworth truck is built for heavy hauling. Similarly, a Hummer H1 is designed for off-road adventures, while an xB car is optimized for navigating urban environments. One vehicle cannot be everything to everyone.
My personal need for a ‘city car’ – a vehicle to navigate the urban landscape efficiently and with ease – is precisely why I own an xB car. Its compact size, combined with surprising interior space, makes it ideal for city driving. When I need to access remote locations, a robust 4×4 is necessary. For long highway journeys, a comfortable touring sedan is the preferred choice. I believe in matching the vehicle to the job, and for urban utility, the Scion xB is my UUV of choice.
Therefore, while classifications may vary, understanding the xB car as an Urban Utility Vehicle provides a more accurate and insightful perspective on its design and purpose. It’s more than just a station wagon; it’s a vehicle built for the demands of modern urban life.
