Could this be the car of the future. . .today?
It sort of feels like it. A five-door. A hatch in the back
rather than a trunk. A place for cargo. Functional. Useable.
A high ceiling inside. You could probably wear an astronaut suit
in it. A seating position that is a bit higher than even a
typical sedan—like, oh, say the Corolla, upon which this is
based—to say nothing of something that might have more
bucket-like seating, given that this is, after all, something of
a sporty car. (Interestingly enough, because this second-gen
Matrix is a bit lower overall than its predecessor, the seating
has been brought down a smidge, too, though it isn’t all that
noticeable.)
At which point there needs to be a slight digression
predicated on nomenclature. I said that the Matrix is “based” on
the Corolla. Meaning that the vehicles share the same platform,
in essence. But here’s the tricky part: Although the Corolla
comes in various trim levels—like the S and XLE—the Matrix is
actually a variant of the Corolla, in that its “official” name is
“Corolla Matrix.” Yet Matrix is much cooler. Not just the
name. The entire car.
If it wasn’t a Toyota, this could be a Scion.
It has a certain freshness and, dare I say?, youthfulness that
tends to be lacking from many other Toyota
models, which are more staid and mainstream.
The Matrix looks different, inside and out. Yes, there is
the overall profile that is unlike most cars on the road. This
new generation of the Matrix has a more rounded rear yet a
sharper front, especially with the XRS trim level which, like the
S trim, has a front underbody spoiler. Coupled with a mesh fog
lamp bezel, this car has a certain technical look to it, which
brings up the aforementioned future. Presumably “crossover”
vehicles have something of the future about them, but they need
not look like something from an L.L. Bean catalog. The inside
materials are similarly forward looking. I can’t help but note
the “Optitron” gauges, which are bright white backs with bright
red needles. I can’t help it because (a) they really are a nice
touch and (b) “Optitron” just sounds like something out of a
science fiction movie.
With a 2.4-liter, 158-hp engine and a five-speed automatic
engine, you’re not going to accelerate yourself into hyperspace,
but you’re also not going to feel as though you’re driving on
Jupiter, either, when you pull away from a light or merge onto a
freeway. The suspension setup is MacPherson struts in the front
and double-wishbones in the rear. There are 18-in. alloy
wheels. The vehicle has electric power steering, which is
certainly responsive if not for dodging asteroids, then at least
those craters in the pavement that seem to have been created by
something not-of-this world, given their depth and number (at
least in this small corner of the planet known as Detroit).
Vehicle As Driven
Engine: 2.4-liter, four-cylinder,
16-valve DOHC. Aluminum block & head
Horsepower: 158 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 162 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Overall length: 173 in.
Height: 61.4 in.
Width: 69.5 in.
Curb weight: 3,220 lb.
Cargo volume: 19.8-ft3;
60.9-ft3 with rear seats folded
MSRP: $21,850
