The first-generation Scion xB was an unlikely icon

The first-generation Scion xB was part of the original trio that launched Toyota's youth-oriented brand in 2003, debuting alongside the xA and joined later by the tC.

The xB is easily the most iconic design of the brand's short history. It's compact and spacious, fun and approachable.

Toyota intended for the xB to be a blank canvas that owners would customize to make their own.

The subcompact's appeal revolved around its spatial economy, cramming a lot of room for people and cargo into a very small footprint.

With a humble 108-horsepower, 1.5-liter engine beneath its hood, the xB wasn't known for its performance. Efficiency wasn't bad, however, at around 30 mpg combined.  

Toyota expected Scion buyers to replace the double DIN-sized radios with aftermarket parts, so the dashboard tech seemed like a bit of an afterthought.

The xB wasn't wildly popular, but it was the best-selling Scion model for the first few years. 

The original xB didn't stick around for long. After just four years, a much larger second-generation model arrived to replace it.  

The lackluster second-generation model cost the xB its crown and sales fell behind those of the tC coupe. When the Scion brand was eventually folded into the Toyota lineup in 2016, the once-iconic xB didn't make the cut.  

It's a shame that Toyota didn't see fit to take a third swing at the xB. The once-popular box would have made a great urban-friendly runabout with modern tech and, perhaps, a zippy and thrifty electrified powertrain.