2^nd Opinion – Beamesderfer

Everything the old xB lacked the new model has except the one thing that made it cool in that counterintuitive, old people don’t get it way: the boxy charm. Sure, the larger, more powerful engine gets to speed quickly. There’s a sport shift mode, although only a four-speed gearbox and it has a few quirks. Handling is OK, steering feels heavy at slower speeds though. Brakes are quite good, discs all around, antilock and electronic brake distribution. All in all, it’s a fun drive that won’t set the asphalt afire. But did all of that need to be in a bigger vehicle with all the exterior spiffiness rounded off? More…

Bob Beamesderfer