Fun and practical. Cargo, Cargo, Cargo.
Pros:
Cargo capacity, MPG, Low Insurance, Fun
Cons:
Unattractive and hard to read dashboard
The Bottom Line:
Thumbs up, great cargo, low cost, reliable. Same as Pontiac Vibe.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The Matrix is a small and versatile station wagon that handles well, holds lots of cargo, has great reliability, and has a low ownership cost (MPG, maintenance, insurance). I have 33,000 miles on my base model Matrix, this is what I have learned.
Ride
For as tall as the Matrix is, the stiff and nimble handling is a pleasant surprise. But this comes at the price of a plush ride. It is quick enough to feel good (especially with the 5 speed manual). The driver sits high with very good visibility both in terms of seeing out and being seen. I live in Texas where there are more big pickups then can be imagined, so being seen is as important as seeing. The cockpit is comfortable and ergonomic, but the dashboard is overly stylized and worse, the backlit LCDs are hard to read in bright daylight. It easily seats four adults, five if everyone is friendly.
Cargo
The FLAT FOLD rear seats turn this small car into a small pickup. The included tie-downs make it a snap to secure any load. The main cargo area is augmented by a number of very clever pockets including a plastic tray shrouding the spare wheel. The shroud resembles an army food tray and can accommodate useful auto related stuff like a windshield scraper and jumper cables. I have literally had people not believe what I can fit into the car, so I now have a little routine showing off the cargo capacity. My work includes design, fabrication, installation, and delivery. I get it all done with the Matrix.
Reliability
It is a Toyota, it is spot on. No problems.
Fuel Economy
32 MPG around town and on the highway, it does not seem to make much difference.
Conclusion
This little bugger is very intelligently designed for cargo and is comfortable to drive. The styling of the car is questionable (I bought it in spite of its looks). The Pontiac Vibe (identical except for the outer body panels) is better looking, but more expensive (to start). Other cars to consider: Acura RSX – much more fun but still with some usable cargo space and the Toyota Prius – more fuel efficient and smaller. But I can not image driving anything else.
