The trouble with the 2009 Matrix is that Toyota is selling the car as something that it's not.
(Yes, you read it right: the 2009 Matrix. We just celebrated New Year's, and an automaker already is giving us next year's model. You'll be able to kick Matrix tires in a Toyota showroom near you sometime around Valentine's Day. The world just keeps spinning faster and faster. ... )
"The Matrix concept was based on blending the functionality of an SUV, the style, the image and performance of a sports car with the affordability of a compact sedan," said Tim Morrison, Toyota marketing manager, at the big Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas last October. "For 2009, it's all that and more. It may have the body of a five-door (hatchback), but it comes with the soul of a two-door sports car."
If that sounds something like the quest for the Holy Grail, well, it is. Sports cars and SUVs are on the opposite ends of the vehicle spectrum. And if somehow they assembled such a combo, it would probably sell for much more than the price of a compact sedan.
Indeed, the Matrix is based on an affordable sedan platform -- the Corolla's. Both Corolla and Matrix are redesigned for 2009. If Toyota officials were to be completely candid, they'd call the Matrix what it is: a wagon version of the Corolla sedan.
And there's nothing wrong with that. Some automakers have an aversion to the term "wagon" because they're afraid it conjures up of images of Donna Reed, a 1960s housewife driving a big ol' domestic station wagon. And in the case of the Matrix, that's not an image Toyota wants to convey because the company hopes the vehicle will appeal to youngish Gen Y males.
But as BMW (328xi Wagon), Saab (9-3 SportCombi) and Volvo (V50 and V70) have shown, wagons can be very sporty and cool -- especially when they've got what it takes under the hood. The Matrix doesn't, not even in its sportiest garb.
My introduction to the '09 Matrix was in the evening, when it was dark. In a hurry to hit the freeway, I hopped in my test car without even looking at the tag on the hatch to see which version of the Matrix I was to drive. After settling into the supportive seats, off I went.
As I expect of any Toyota, the engine seemed refined and smooth. Rowing through the gears of the test car's manual gearbox, I noted an adequate response to the throttle -- but the engine seemed to run out of breath if I pushed too hard. And because I've become accustomed to cars with manual transmissions having six forward speeds, I instinctively searched for a sixth gear that wasn't there. But the gearbox had nice, positive detents.
Comfortable Ride
On my journey home, I also noted a compliant suspension that soaked up the bumps to give a comfy ride, but was controlled enough to limit body roll when going 'round a bend. The steering was quite good at transmitting information back to the driver about the road below.
In all, my test Matrix seemed a pleasant, easy-to-drive compact car that probably delivered good fuel economy -- though certainly nothing out of the ordinary in the way of performance. Then, in the light of my garage, I noticed the car's rear-deck spoiler, the gorgeous 18-inch, alloy wheels and -- surprise! -- the XRS badge, identifying my Matrix as the sporty version.
The new Matrix comes with a choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter and, as in my test car, a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter. The Matrix is also available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and comes in Standard, S or XRS trim levels. Besides the larger engine, the XRS also gets an independent rear suspension for better handling, while other trim levels make do with a less sophisticated torsion-beam setup.
The modest performance of the XRS in no way detracts from the practical aspects of the Matrix. The newest Matrix has almost the same exterior dimensions as before, but has gained some 8 cubic feet of interior cargo volume. As with last ... I mean this year's Matrix, the rear seat backs and the front passenger seat back fold to give an almost flat floor, making the Matrix similar to an SUV in the way it can handle cargo. With seat backs up, the rear is plenty roomy for two adults, and three if you squeeze a bit.
Although the styling of the '09 Matrix is clearly an evolution of the previous design, it is much better-looking than before, with sleeker, edgier and more contemporary lines.
Standard equipment on all models includes air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auxiliary audio input jack and a full set of air bags -- even side curtain air bags. At this writing, Toyota has yet to announce prices. But base prices for the '08 Matrix range from about $15,000 to $18,000, depending on the trim level, and the '09 Matrix will probably be priced about the same.
The new Matrix is no sports car -- not even close. But look at it as a modestly priced and practical wagon, and the Matrix does very nicely.
source toyota, dallasnews.com
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