With its 35-year history, the Corolla can be said to be the iconic Toyota sedanand the de facto standard against which all other compact sedans are measured. However, the modest and conservative image of the Corolla doesn't appeal to younger buyers.
A few years back, Toyota was making plans for a new model to replace the Corolla in North America; meanwhile, GM was planning to make a play for the twenty-something crowd. GM went to Toyota to talk about another collaborative effort, as had previously been done in the Corolla and Chevrolet Prizm line.
From there, the Matrix was born.
This vehicle, which shares its name with the Hollywood blockbuster movie, is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The form is that of an MPV, yet its sedan characteristics are still apparent.
To further attract the young crowd, along with the RAV4, Toyota handed the exterior design to Calty Design in Newport Beach, California. Calty's design gave the vehicle the bold bodylines that make it appear more "American."
The overall length measures 435 cm, while width and height are 176 and 157 cm respectively. The wheelbase is 260 cm. In terms of size, it is not that different from a compact sedan, but the design incorporates SUV and station wagon elements giving it a larger and more flexible interior space. The large hatch-window, on colour-matched C-pillars, makes the rear portion of the interior feel wide open.
Toyota coined a new term with the introduction of this vehicle: crossover utility vehicle (CUV). The term CUV is meant to emphasize the hybrid design concept that crosses a sedan with an SUV. To appeal to the young crowd, cues from sporty vehicles and the practicality of cargo vehicles have been melded—while the price tag has been kept affordable.
The Matrix was designed on the ninth-generation Corolla front-wheel drive platform, but it also comes in an all-wheel drive (AWD) version. The base model has been EPA-certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV), and is powered by a 1.8 liter, inline, 4-cylinder VVT-i engine capable of delivering 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 RPM. The AWD model is rated at 123 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 118 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The EPA also rates the AWD model as an LEV.
The base front wheel drive model, with five-speed manual transmission, gets 7.8 L/100 km in city driving and 6.7 L/100 km on the highway. With the optional four-speed automatic transmission the fuel consumption is 8.4/7.0. The AWD model is a little thirstier at 8.7/7.3.
The performance-oriented XRS trim uses a specially tuned version of the same 1.8 liter engine that provides 180 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 130 lb-ft torque at 6,800 rpm, which is on-par with the sporty Celica. This engine is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission in a front-drive configuration. The AWD models use the same base engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
For front-wheel drive models, the front suspension uses independent Macpherson gas struts with coil springs, while the rear suspension has torsion beams with gas shock absorbers and coil springs. The AWD models use a double wishbone suspension instead, making space for the differential and rear drive axel.
Inside the car, to please the twenty-something crowd, the style of the gauges was borrowed from motorcycles, and the interior has polished metal everywhere.
To achieve the versatility of an SUV, the interior can be transformed in several ways. In the cabin, which accommodates five people with ease, small storage compartments have been placed throughout. A special rail system has been designed for the seats to make the space arrangements more flexible and increase cargo capacity. With the push of a button, the back seats and the front passenger seat can be folded down to a flat position, to form a flat cargo bed.
Once again, with younger buyers in mind, the cargo compartment floor is made of plastic and has two ducts that make it easier to store things like mountain bikes and surf boards.
The Matrix is available in three trim levels: base, XR, and XRS. Standard equipment includes A/C, intermittent wipers, powered mirrors, cargo ties, tinted windows, hatch window defroster, two 12-V utility outlets, auto headlights, and a cargo net. The XR trim adds powered door locks, keyless entry, sporty steering wheel, and height-adjustable seats.
The XRS adds on cruise control, ABS, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, fog lights, and an AM/FM/cassette/CD 6-way sound system. The buyer can optionally add a GPS navigation system with a 6-CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels (with P215/50/17 tires), and power moon roof.
True to Toyota's claim, this car caters to the diverse needs of a younger generation of consumers. Buyers no longer need to agonize over the choice of driving fun versus practicality—the Matrix encompasses both.
I test drove this car when Eastern Canada was hit with 30 cm of snow. Driving the Matrix through the snow was surprisingly re-assuring. Digging the car out of the snow before the test drive posed a much bigger challenge!
The second generation Matrix will be introduced later this year. The next generation will look sportier, feel more dynamic, and the interior space design will be improved. It will have a wider body with a lower road clearance creating even more cabin space. The net result is a sportier, more aggressive look that will bring out more driving enjoyment given the lower centre of gravity and sports sedan appearance.
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