Scion's got it going on this year, with two all-new models.

Toyota's Scion line is a collection of hip, cutting-edge small-cars has been a hit because of its high degree of personalization, rock-solid design and association with a lively, trendy lifestyle.

Yet while its buyers represent the youngest demographics in the auto industry, you are just as likely to see older people driving these cars, mainly because they make it easy to get in and out.

They include a much larger version of the iconic square xB sedan and the xD, a stylish small sedan that replaces the more conventional looking xA model. The xB still has some of the box-like appearance of its predecessor, but it comes off even more cutting edge, with some interesting hints of pontoon shapes at the rear fender and a pair of slit-like headlights that make the front end appear sinister in a sexy way.

Its new platform is about a foot longer and 3 inches wider with a wheelbase that is 4 inches longer. The already spacious old xB has been replaced by a design that, with 122.5 cubic feet of space, has 32.4 more cubic feet of space inside. If you fold the rear seats, cargo volume hits 70 cubic feet.

The effect is stunning when you see it. There's limousine-like space for your legs, and plenty of room for three, even with two baby seats. Even with the standard 60/40 seat up, you have plenty of room for several bags of groceries and what-not behind it.

One of the more novel features is shelf space under the back seat for more storage, along with a storage box under the rear cargo floor and above the spare tire. As a result, I expect the xB model to draw plenty of families in the showroom once they get wind of the sheer practicality of this fun car.

Driving the xB is an experience unto itself because of the unusual dashboard, with centrally located gauges, various LED features and colorful audio displays, and the incredible amount of room and stretch out comfort.

But what will really surprise people is the new, more powerful, 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower (22 mpg city/28 highway), four-cylinder engine in the new car that makes it quite the little street racer, if that's where you want to go. That's 55 more horsepower than the old model. Even so, Scion dealers will have several kinds of engine modification items available to make this car raise even more eyebrows everywhere.

You also can expect a full complement of standard safety items on both new Scion models, including ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, front and rear side curtain air bags, and traction control.

The key themes for the other new model, the xD, were "solid and agile," and the car sure looks it with a butch-looking, square-shouldered design and hints of blisters over the fenders. Toss in some body effects, nice alloy wheels available through Scion, and you have a small car with lots more character and panache than the old xA that it replaces.

There's more spaciousness inside, too, with interesting interior presentation that includes the use of some aluminum and piano black pieces as well that have caught on with auto designers these days.

An eye-catching dashboard that includes a concentric speedometer and tachometer in front of the steering wheel comes with the xD, too. You'll also find a double glove box, a change box in the lower dash, center console storage, and eight cup and bottle holders.

An all-new engine powers the xD -- a 1.8-liter, 128-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that gets 27/33 miles per gallon with a manual transmission and 26/32 for the automatic version.

The xD showed some pretty impressive driving and handling characteristics that aren't usually found on this size of car, including flat cornering and handling, quick responsive steering, and brisk acceleration. The interior felt spacious and airy, making for a more pleasant driving experience than its predecessor, the xA.

Base price for the xB is $15,650 for the manual transmission version and $16,600 for automatic transmission equipped versions. Prices for the xD start around $15,000.