Autoblog

We've already seen the Scion xB in person and feel that it will probably match the success of the gen 1 edition. As we told you when it debuted in Chicago, it has grown in size on a new platform instead of the one it shared with the now defunct xA. It lost its toaster-esque styling as well, and although it's still a box, it's a box with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a chunky C-pillar. The interior has been upgraded too, and the center-mounted gauge pod is outta here. Big change underhood too, as the xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque.

One of the few things we didn't know about Scion's new xB was the price. Well, we do now. The price list includes these starting MSRPs. The five-speed stick will start at $15,650 and the four-speed sequential automatic will base at $16,600. That's quite a jump over the $14,610 starting price of the outgoing xB, but the new one offers a lot more car (and power!) for the money. The funky little boxes will be in showrooms by the end of May.

Follow the jump for the full press release from Toyota/Scion.

[Source: Toyota]