The
Toyota Matrix is an interesting phenomena amongst entry-level compact cars. With a low price starting around $15 000, it is aggressively marketed to young people, and is positioned as an alternative to some of the other less stylishly designed compacts on the market. However, the primary buyer for the Matrix actually tends to be in their early 50s, and
Toyota appears to be losing customers to themselves as they are leeched off to the popular Scion brand.
As long as vehicles find buyers, the parent company cant be all that upset about the demographics of who is behind the wheel. The 2009
Toyota Matrix has had a host of changes and improvements made in response to concerns that previous Matrix buyers had regarding the vehicle. In production since 2003, the one of the biggest differences for 2009 is the re-introduction of all-wheel drive, which was taken off the options list in 2007. This caused an uproar amongst buyers. The XRS performance edition is also back for the 2009 model year.
The Matrix maintains the same wheelbase as the previous generation, but exterior changes are apparent, especially the slight increase in overall length. While the new model has a stiffer chassis, it also feels the effects of a 200 pound weight gain over the 2008 model. The interior of the Matrix has undergone a total re-styling. Seats in particular have been re-positioned inside the new cabin, although headroom and sight lines remain the same. In the front, buckets are standard, and those in the rear seats of the vehicle can make use of a folding table anchored to the rear of the drivers seat. The rear seat also folds down in order to provide for more cargo space. Buyers opting for the XRS will received a leather-wrapped steering wheel in place of the standard 3-spoke design.
Also new for 2009 is the choice of 2 different base engines. The standard power train for the Matrix is a 1.8 liter four cylinder that generates 132 horsepower and 128 lb-feet of torque. A larger 2.4 liter engine sourced from Scion is also available for the Matrix XRS, and it pours on an additional 26 horsepower and 34 more lb-feet. Not exactly stunning, but then again, the vehicle isnt meant to win the stoplight grand prix. All versions of the car are available with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission, except the all-wheel drive Matrix S, which comes exclusively with a 4-speed automation making it by far the slowest of all possible trim levels. In terms of fuel economy, the smaller four cylinder betters the 2.4 liter around town, but when it comes to highway driving they are neck and neck at close to 32 miles per gallon each.
A range of wheels sizes starting at 16-inches and going up to 18 are available depending on which model is ordered. While they do look good, the 18-inch wheels that come with the XRS are much heavier than the base 16-inchers, and that knocks a bit of performance out of the equation. All versions of the car come with an extensive array of electronic systems designed to keep things under control: electronic brake distribution and anti lock brakes as well as optional vehicle stability control and traction control.
The Matrix is trying hard not to get lost in a sea of first-time buyer options, and it tries to keep the standard equipment list interesting for those upgrading from the base to the S model. All cars come with power mirrors, steering, and an auxiliary audio input jack, while S trim buyers get power door locks and windows, a rear window wiper and an upgraded stereo.
POWERTRAIN
Available 2.4-liter engine with 158 hp @ 6000 rpm and 162 lb-ft. torque:
Available with All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
INTERIOR
Auxiliary audio jac
Standard air conditioning
Unique Sport fabric seats
60/40 split told-flat rear seats with rear floor anti-slip rubber
Rear hatch opening offering more usable space than a conventional trunk
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with available audio and hands-free phone-calling controls(2.4)
Available JBL AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3IWMA playback capability. satellite radio capability hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth wireless technology(6) and nine speakers in seven locations(2)
Available DVD navigation system with XM NavTraffic and six speakers?
EXTERIOR
Root rack aconimodations
front and rear underbody spoilers(2)
Coupe-like style combined with a low center of gravity otters a sense of acceleration
Available 17-in. and 18-in. alloy wheels(2)
SAFETY
Rear disc brakes
Active headrests*
Available Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)(9) with Traction Control (TRAC)(10)
DIMENSIONS (in.)
Overall length: 171.9
Overall width: 69.5
Overall height: 61.0
Wheelbase: 102.4
Images were reprinted with permissions from original author Mike Marino! Content was written by Benjamin Hunting for www.sport-cars.org only and you MAY NOT copy, distribute or use this page's content for any commercial or non-commerical purpose without written permission of this site owner and photos authors!
June 8, 2008, 9:23 am
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