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 25.7 mpg.
Every Scion xB engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Scion xB ranges from 28.7 down to 24 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $262 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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
The Scion xB burns a gallon every 25.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 474 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.126 |
| Fuel per year | $1,518 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,590 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$24 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,482 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Scion xB gives up 5.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.5 out there against 23.3 in town, a 22% drop worth $301 a year. 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
The xB peaked in 2005 at 29 mpg (27 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 24 — 5 mpg apart, or $276 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2015 car does 24. 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
This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Scion xB — 2 engines across 2004–2015. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,482. Full method.
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 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world xB figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Scion xB is $2,482 against the $1,518 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 24 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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