What was Tested?: 2005 Scion Xb

Price as tested: $15,000.

Mileage: 31 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

I didn't know how to take all the comments I received about the Scion xB during the week-long test-drive. The comments were all over the place, really.

Here's basically what I heard from friends, relatives, neighbors and pure strangers: "What in the world is that?" "It looks like a quarter of a school bus." "Is that supposed to be stylish?" "That is NOT attractive."

I agree with a little of that, but beauty's not only skin deep. It's what's really inside that matters most, right? Does it look any less attractive than Honda's similar offering? No.

The Scion xB debuted at the New York Auto Show last year and was slightly derived from the Echo model and the bB model from Japan. The Scion xB's target market is the growing Gen Y market. They want to be noticed - and they will in this vehicle.

It's supposed to exude young, American fashion tastes. Yea, I'm an American, and I've got to tell you what young people like these days isn't exactly what I like. Everyone has different tastes, and that's what makes our society so diverse and interesting in this world.

Toyota documents call it fashionable, sophisticated, sporty, and full of quality. Its sister Scion, the xA is radically different and is more of a five-door sporty sedan with a lot of heart. But the xB is bigger all the way around, especially when it comes to front and rear head room, front and rear leg room and passenger and cargo volume.

While it looks deceptively small on the outside, the xB is huge on the inside. The other appealing attribute about the xB is that it is a creative car, with a buyer having the ability to alter it to their own tastes and personality with a number of options and customizations, both through the dealer and in the after-market.

There are three wheel-cover designs - a nine-spoke, seven-spoke or six-spoke, multi-reflector halogen headlamps, chrome exhaust time and exterior ground effects kits.

You can also choose to install alloy wheels, wheel locks, clear tail lamp lenses, rear bumper appliques, rear spoiler, fog lamps, front end mask, tail lamp garnish, body side graphics and Toyota's own Toyota Racing Development (TRD) specialty sports parts.

Back to the inside for a moment. Not only is the roominess inside expansive, but the second row seats fold flat 60/40 to produce a completely flat floor to haul just about any type of cargo. There are storage compartments strategically placed throughout the interior, giving it even more versatility.

The instrument panel houses a center stack of audio and heating/cooling/ventilation controls and above all that is a center-mounted cluster that contains the speedometer and black-on-white gauges that lets you read everything efficiently and easily.

Performance is hardly disappointing. Powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing, you'll realize 108 horsepower, which is just enough to propel you into any driving situation you desire. The xB weighs a mere 2,400 pounds, so there isn't any worry about how fast it will get up to speed or how quickly it will stop.

You'll also enjoy a hefty mileage estimate of 31 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, which will take a bit of a load off your pocketbook or wallet. It's EPA certified as a low emission vehicle and because the engine comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, you'll realize even better numbers than that. I calculated 35 mpg on the highway, actually. Oh, for those of frail heart, there is a four-speed automatic available.

I'm not going to say that the xB drove like a charm, without feeling a pebble or bump in the road, but for a vehicle this close to the ground, the suspension is adequate to keep you comfortable. Of course, you're getting an opinion from someone who drives on Michigan gosh-awful roadways, where every eighth-mile has a pothole or road surface imperfection, but the ride and handling characteristics were not disappointing.

One thing about the Scion xB is that just about everything on this vehicle is deemed standard equipment. The only decisions you'll have to make are the choice of transmission, color and accessories.

Lots and lots is standard. Like a 160-watt six-speaker AM/FM/CD Pioneer sound system that features XM satellite radio. (Got to mention that I have just about fallen in love with satellite radio. XM is a lot better because there are more music stations and less talk stations than Sirius. Cheaper on a monthly basis, too.)

Also standard is air conditioning, power windows with one-touch down, power door locks, power outside mirrors, rear window defogger, digital clock, tilt steering wheel, rear privacy glass, tach and trip meter, driver's sun visor with mirror, front bucket seats, under-floor storage and remote keyless entry.

If you need even more, accessories to add may include leather-wrapped steering wheel, cup holder illumination, cargo net, LED interior light kit, Shift knob in your choice of colors, floor mats (arghhhh!), security system, sport pedals and a cargo cover.

The xB is equipped with all the safety features you would want to protect that young driver, folks, including ABS with brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, driver and passenger front airbags, head restraints and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions.

Now, here comes the good part. Bottom line pricing starts at $13,680 with the five-speed manual transmission. Add the automatic and you're paying a mere $14,480. Not bad, not bad at all. Very affordable.

Got an irresponsible prospective owner on your hands. Scions come with three complimentary oil changes, by the way.

Sure, the thing doesn't look like a Porsche. But it's practical, affordable and able to be customized to your individual taste and personality. Got to go check this one out. You may be surprised in what you find.

Vehicle type: 5-door sub-compact.

Power: 1.5-liter aluminum engine.

Where built: Japan.