Background: Toyota blurs the line between small sport utility vehicles and compact wagons with the introduction of the all-new 2003 Matrix. To “help” the general public define this new design, promotional literature from Japan’s largest automaker touts this new creation as a cross-over utility vehicle (CUV); yet another acronym added to the automotive nomenclature. The four-door Matrix is based on the same automotive platform as the reengineered, next-generation, 2003 Corolla sedan.
The compact Corolla is one of Toyota’s most durable and dependable namplates first introduced in the United States in 1968. If Matrix is half as successful as Corolla, Toyota is in for good times ahead. Like Corolla, Matrix is aimed at a younger audience and first-time, new-car shoppers on a budget who desire good fuel economy over powertrains pumping out 450 horsepower. To that end Toyota does a good job of keeping the price of well-equipped models under the $20,000 threshold. Matrix is also designed to carry as much cargo as a compact offering can possibly accommodate. Matrix is built in Cambridge, Ontario Canada.
Engine/Trim Level: Three trim levels and two engine sources are offered. Shoppers also get to choose from two-wheel front drive or full-time, four-wheel drive. Buyers of the Base and XR grades are offered a choice of front or full-time four-wheel drive. Both these trims are powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine delivering 130 horsepower and EPA certified as ultra low emission vehicles. The top-of-the-line, high-performance XRS comes exclusively with front-wheel drive and includes the same high-performance engine found in Toyota’s sporty Celica GT-S coupe. This 1.8-four-cylinder engine cranks out 180 horsepower .
The performance engine recommends higher 91 octane fuel while the base powertrain utilizes the 87-octane variety. Full-time, four-wheel drive models come with four-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Two-wheel-drive versions have the choice of five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic. Above-average fuel estimates for the four-wheel drive models with automatic transmission check in at 27 miles per gallon city and 32 m.p.g. highway. The tank holds 11.9 gallons of fuel (two-wheel drive editions hold 13.2 gallons.) The fuel leader is a front-wheel drive edition mated to a five-speed manual transmission which generates 30 m.p.g. city and 35 m.p.g. highway.
Price: Toyota provided the Daily Herald with a four-wheel drive mid level XR model to test for a week. Base price checked in at $18,445 with options including cruise control ($250), side air bags ($250), in-dash, six-unit compact disc player ($240), 16-inch aluminum wheels ($410) and fog light package ($270), the bottom line totaled $20,426 with $485 destination package. A two-wheel drive XR with manual transmission starts at $16,180. Add $800 for automatic transmission. The lowest-priced version, a Base, front-wheel-drive model with five-speed manual transmission starts at $14,670. The price jumps to $15,470 when adding automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line XRS with manual transmission checks in at $18,750.
Notable standard equipment: All trim levels include variable-assist hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering, air conditioning, intermittent front wipers, tinted glass, power steering, rear window defogger, AM/FM stereo with single-feed compact disc player and tilt steering wheel with the price of admission. The mid-level XR edition adds power door locks and windows and intermittent rear wiper. Up-level XRS adds fog lamps, power mirrors, cruise control and upgraded speakers. Many option packages are available to mix and match. Sunroofs and navigation systems are optional in XRS and XR editions.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 102.4 inches
Length: 171.3 inches
Width: 69.5 inches
Height: 61.8 inches
Curb weight: 2,943 pounds
Maximum towing weight: 1,500 pounds
Interior: Matrix seating positions are higher than most compact cars for easier egress and ingress. The instrument panel has four independent, deep-set gauges with red backlighting day and night. The center gauge is home to the analog speedometer and digital odometers with the tachometer housed on the left side and two smaller fuel and temperature gauges to the right. Toyota intersperses chrome-like, two-tone enhancements throughout the dashboard. The stereo is placed at the top of the center dashboard with three easy-to-grab ventilation controls directly below. The dashboard incorporates four circular vents with thick slats that easily open and close with a simple push.
One of the more notable dashboard features is a conventional power outlet for plugging in laptops, dancing frogs or other toys and gadgets needing electricity. In between the front bucket seats are a hand-operated parking brake, dual in-line beverage holders and a bi-level storage-bin armrest. Matrixes ordered with automatic transmission include a high-mounted gear shift which protrudes out from the bottom of the dashboard, a convenient design borrowed from the Lexus RX 300. Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand of vehicles. Back seats come with a 60/40 split. Once a top knob is pulled up, backs fold flat onto the seat cushions fitting evenly with the cargo floor.
Toyota also built in enough clearance between front seat backrests and rear cushions so headrests don’t have to be removed when folding seat backs down. Two interior fabric color choices are available: stone gray and dark gray Cloth upholstery comes standard. For added cargo carrying options, the front passenger bucket seatback also folds flat onto the cushion. Cargo volume behind the rear seat checks in at 21.8 cubic feet. With the rear seat down, that figure grows to 53.2 cubic feet. The cargo floor is topped with a plastic-like coated finish making it easier to slide big items in and out. With the high roof line, headroom is plentiful no matter where you’re seated. Leg room is average. Although Toyota markets Matrix as a five seater, two adults fit most comfortably in back.
Exterior: The Matrix looks like a muscular compact wagon with a high roof line. Matrix comes with four passenger-entrance doors and a hatchback. The doors utilize more sheet metal and less window area than conventional stationwagons. The rear hatch, like many larger sport utilities, opens two ways; the back window flips up independently from the hatch for quick trips into the cargo area, and the entire rear door swings up when loading larger items.
The four strap-like door handles and side-view mirrors are all body colored. The honeycomb front grille displays Toyota’s circular chrome logo in the middle. The large front air dam also creates a SUV-type presence. Cat’s-eye, headlights wrap around to the side fenders. Toyota positions the black radio antenna on top of the car at a 45-degree angle. Sixteen-inch tires with steel wheel covers come standard, a larger-than-usual tire for a compact offering. Base and XR grades offer aluminum alloy wheels as an option. The XRS and XR trim levels offering even larger 17-inch tires with alloy wheels optional.
Warranty: Toyota’s basic warranty coverage for Matrix includes a five-year or 60,000 mile (whichever comes first) powertrain warranty, three-year, or 36,000-mile comprehensive coverage and a five-year/unlimited mileage exterior corrosion coverage.
Safety features: All three trim levels come with dual-stage front air bags, rear-door child safety locks, daytime running lights, side door impact beams and three-point front seat belts for all five seating positions. Anti-lock brakes are standard in up-level XRS and optional in the other two trims. Side-impact air bags are optional across the board. Remote keyless entry is standard in XR and XRS.
Final thoughts: While this vehicle is an all-new body style, the four-cylinder engines are borrowed from existing products that are well tested. Toyota’s been assembling quality, four-cylinder engines as good as anybody for the past 40 years so these powertrains should be as trouble-free and long lasting as their predecessors. For those on a budget looking for a compact vehicle with maximum cargo room, Matrix deserves a serious look. Matrix does, however, weigh in 400 pounds heavier than its Corolla cousin and when coupled with the smaller 1.8-liter engine, is not as quick off a standing start than lighter, sportier compact sedans or coupes. This vehicle is also the automotive twin of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe built by General Motors in Northern California. |
