The Scion xB does 25.3 mpg combined (23.3 city, 28.5 highway), which works out to about $1,518 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 28.7 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 24 — a difference of $262 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Scion xB engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 26.7 / 31.7 | 2004–2006 | $1,338 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 / 27.4 | 2008–2015 | $1,600 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.126 |
| Fuel per year | $1,518 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,590 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$6 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,386 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.3 mpg | $1,648 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.5 mpg | $1,347 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.2 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the xB changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2014 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2013 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2008 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2005 | 27 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2004 | 27 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Scion xB get?
25.3 mpg combined on average — 23.3 in the city and 28.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2015.
How much does a Scion xB cost in fuel per year?
About $1,518 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,590 over five years, or 0.126 dollars a mile.
Which xB engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 28.7 mpg, against 24 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $262 a year.
Is the xB good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.