« If You Want To Save Gas, Go for The Toyota Camry Hybrid | Home | New Ways To Sell Cars Online »
Enjoy The Fun Ride of The New Toyota Matrix
By Performance Guru | August 3, 2009
During the early part of this decade Toyota was inspecting its car line up and the choice was made to build a car to entice young people who were searching for something that was small, fun to drive, and reasonable. Whilst the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that sort of a car and something radically different was needed. Enter the Matrix. Based on the Corolla platform, the Matrix does what no Corolla can do: turn heads. We’ll take a look at this sporty compact and see how the 2006 model stacks up.
In 2003, the Matrix was introduced to the North American market. Built in California as a joint venture with General Motors – the Pontiac Vibe is its twin – the Matrix is aimed toward budget conscious young folks who need a car that makes a statement. To save cash, the Corolla frame was employed, but the Matrix stands some three inches taller and is 8 inches shorter than its Toyota sibling. The roof line on the Matrix is completely different too as it slopes from front to back and ends in a wedge, giving the car somewhat of a truck look to it. This rakish appearance is what gives the Matrix its unique look as well as an additional bit of room for folk and their stuff. Indeed, both driver and front passenger sit higher up, very similar to in a tiny SUV or as in an automobile like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. With 4 doors and a rear lift gate, the Matrix acts more of a truck, but its sleek exterior easily refutes that fact.
Motorists have a choice between front wheel drive and a four wheel drive versions of the car, something not offered on the Corolla. The standard motor for the Matrix is a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-I 4-cylinder engine. Mated to a five speed manual transmission, the engine turns out a respectable 126hp. For more power, there’s also a higher tuned version of the same engine delivering 164hp. It is getting twinned with a 6 speed manual transmission. Four wheel drive versions of the Matrix come supplied with a 4-wheel anti-lock brake system [ABS] which is optional on 2WD models.
Gas mileage for the Matrix makes the car a motorist’s dream. At 30 mpg city and 36 m.p.g road, the front wheel drive version of the car produces some of the best results of any non-hybrid auto sold in North America. A 13 gallon fuel tank makes four hundred mile trips a chance on only one tank of gas; this is especially good for the student who has to drive forwards and backwards between college campus and home.
Unlike many cars of its size, the O.E.M crowd has produced a wide variety of products to help Matrix owners customize their autos. Hood protectors, tail light covers, polymer air dams, fog lights, hood scoops and vents, mud flaps, and paintable window covers are some of the Toyota parts and accessories pitched to youth, who are the primary owners of the Matrix.
MSRP starts at US$15,110 [CDN$17,200] with a top of the line Matrix topping out at slightly under US$20K to about CDN$25K.
For the entire North Yankee market, Toyota sells almost 100,000 Matrix’ a year. Not bad for a vehicle whose origins are fairly simple but whose heart is actually sporty and youth minded.
To read more about cars and see some of the most expensive cars in the world, visit thesupercars.org and along the way, have a look at used Matrix.
Topics: Automotive | No Comments »