Toyota Introduced the The Matrix With Young People in Mind

During the early part of this decade Toyota was inspecting its vehicle line up and the choice was made to build a car to lure young folks who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While 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. We’ll have a look at this sporty compact and see the way in which 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 folks who wish to have a vehicle that makes a statement. To save cash, the Corolla frame was employed, but the Matrix stands some three 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 truck look to it. This rakish appearance is what gives the Matrix its unique look as well as an additional bit of room for people and their stuff. Indeed, both driver and front passenger sit higher up, very like in a tiny SUV or as in a car like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. With four doors and a rear lift gate, the Matrix acts more of a wagon, but its graceful exterior easily refutes that fact.

Motorists have a choice between front wheel drive and a four wheel drive versions of the vehicle, 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. Paired 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 becomes twinned with a six speed manual transmission. Four wheel drive versions of the Matrix come equipped with a 4-wheel anti-lock brake system [ABS] which is optional on 2WD models.

Gas mileage for the Matrix makes the vehicle a motorist’s dream. At thirty m.p.g town and 36 m.p.g highway, the front wheel drive version of the vehicle produces some of the finest results of any non-hybrid automobile sold in North America. A thirteen gallon fuel tank makes four hundred mile trips a possibility on only 1 tank of gas; this is very good for the student 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 variety 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 primary owners of the Matrix.

MSRP starts at US$15,110 [CDN$17,200] with a top of the line Matrix topping out at just 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.

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