The new Scion comes in two flavors: In addition to the boxy xB, there is the more streamlined xA. The xA is similar to the Toyota Matrix, but smaller.

Toyota’s Scion xB is a fun, manual five-speed box on spiffy wheels that gets plenty of looks driving around town.

These fun little cars are sound systems on wheels with probably the most powerful and versatile stereo offered on a small car. The stereo has three modes, “neutral,” which most sane-minded people who care for their ears might choose, “hear,” which introduces a huge, head-hurting bass to most music, but particularly rap music, and “feel,” which literally transforms the car into a rolling boom-box, the sides vibrating with the music.

It is clear that the automotive thinkers at the world’s most profitable car company had young folks in mind with this vehicle. They are not often wrong, but the experience of this tester will offer a challenge to that limited train of thought. During the five days of testing — the xB followed by the xA — the enormous interest shown by the older-than-50 crowd who saw either of them was mind- boggling.

Even men in their 80s stared, looked in the windows, shuffled around and then peppered this tester with questions — “What size engine?” “How much does it cost?” “Can you get them yet?” and in one case, “I gotta have one.”

I’m sure Toyota hasn’t missed the mark in targeting the young, but it may have created something for everyone.

The xB in particular (the rolling square), is a delight to drive, very easy to control, direct steering, no roll, and a very good ride. The power is adequate for most situations, but could use a little more passing oomph. Driving it feels good, though; the seats are comfortable. There is lots of leg room, and the excellent interior materials are similar to the cloth-seat Lexus. In fact the handling is so good, one is reminded of the new Mini, which is high praise indeed.

The xA handles well, but not as well as the xB, and is a little smaller on the inside. The driveline is the same, except for an automatic transmission and the performance is comparable.

The little engine really buzzes along at 70 - 75mph, turning over at 3,400 rpm in the five-speed version (xB) and 2,800 rpm in the automatic version (xA). The xB rear seat leg room is limo like, and the seats fold down to provide a big volume for carrying stuff. The large rear door allows easy loading of big items.

The automatic Scion xA is more streamlined than its sibling and draws fewer looks.

Fuel consumption, according to EPA estimates, is 30 city/33 highway for the xB’s manual transmission and 30 city/34 highway for the xA’s automatic.

There are few options on these cars, just some exterior packages for around $750, a light package with illuminated cupholder, fog and interior lights for $366; a sound upgrade with disc changer and subwoofer for $774, a sport package for $353 and a package with floor and cargo mats for $366. No moonroof, tilt-steering wheel or cruise control. That last one is a problem — this car needs cruise control. I thought perhaps it was the old guy in me that needed it, but my 23-year-old granddaughter and her friends agreed — this car needs cruise control for those 50-mile-plus journeys that everyone will want to take in this car. What Scion does offer, however, is a long list of accessories, to make it look funkier, sound better, or go faster. Aftermarket organizations such as SEMA offer turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous injection, four-piston brake kits, high-performance suspension, racing seats, etc.

The instruments in these cars are in the center of the dash on top of the console. One of the accessories involves various colored instrument illumination the driver can change on a whim.

Prices start at $13,100 for the xA and $13,440 for the xB. The price of the test car, including an upgraded accessorized stereo and the colored interior lights had a Mossy Toyota price of $15,500. The Toyota warranty is three years or 36,000 miles with a powertrain warranty of five years or 60,000 miles.

Buzz down to Mossy Toyota in Pacific Beach, or any other local Toyota dealer who handles the Scion brand and take a test drive.

By the way, these cars are offered only in California at this time.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.