If You Want a Joy Ride, Get The Toyota Matrix
During the early part of this decade Toyota was inspecting its automobile line up and the choice was made to build a vehicle to lure young folks who were looking for something that was little, fun to drive, and cheap. Whilst the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind 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. Let’s take a look at this sporty compact and see how the 2006 model stacks up.
In 2003, the Matrix was introduced to the northern US 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 people who wish to have a car that makes a statement. To save money, the Corolla frame was employed, but the Matrix stands some 3 inches taller and is eight inches shorter than its Toyota sibling. The roof line on the Matrix is totally different too as it slopes from front to back and ends in a wedge, giving the car sort of a wagon 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, much like in a little SUV or as in a car like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. With 4 doors and a rear lift gate, the Matrix acts more of a wagon, but its swish exterior easily refutes that fact.
Motorists have a choice between front wheel drive and a 4 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. Joined to a 5 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 automobile a motorist’s dream. At 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the front wheel drive version of the car produces some of the finest results of any non-hybrid auto sold in North America. A thirteen gallon fuel tank makes 400 mile trips a chance on only 1 tank of gas ; this is particularly good for the scholar who has to drive backwards and backwards between college campus and home.
Unlike many automobiles of its size, the O.E.M crowd has produced a wide selection of products to help Matrix owners customise their vehicles. 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 first 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 just about 100,000 Matrix’ a year. Not bad for a vehicle whose origins are fairly simple but whose heart is really sporty and youth minded.
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