After last year's update, the 2009 Scion xB returns unchanged. The box-like wagon boasts expansive interior room and cargo versatility wrapped in a distinctive and immediately recognizable package.

The front-wheel-drive wagon features 46 inches of headroom and a cargo capacity of anywhere from 21 to 70 cubic feet, depending on whether the rear split-folding bench is folded flat. The cargo area comes with tiedowns and an organizer, and a customized roof rack can be added. Powering all this is the same 2.4-liter inline-four engine that sits in the Scion tC, but here it delivers 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs of torque. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic are the available transmissions. Like the tC, the 2009 xB comes with a full array of features, including power windows, locks, and mirrors, a CD player, remote entry, cruise control, and an iPod jack. It adds a trip computer, a rear window wiper, and larger 16-inch steel wheels with three wheel-cover choices. On the safety side, it earns five stars in side impact tests and four in the front. Standard equipment includes traction and stability control, 4-wheel ABS, dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, and mirrors with turn signals.

What makes this wagon appealing to its youth-oriented target audience are an array of customizable options, available as single add-ons rather than bundled in packages. Larger wheels, an array of interior mood lighting, various interior trim materials, upgraded audio, a DVD player, and touchscreen navigation are just a few of the available features. It's no surprise, then, that one of the highlights of 2009 Scion xB ownership is its versatility, along with its roomy cabin and comfortable seating. Of particular appeal to car buyers of any age is the relatively low price tag for all that you get. Low-quality interior materials, awkward gauges and dials, and a tendency for body roll constitute the majority of complaints. And in this age of rising gas prices, the xB's 20/27 mpg doesn't win many fans either.