2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Introduction and Contenders
"Simulated Reality?" Nah. The Name Apparently Means "Yawn."What They Did Right: Well-sorted navigation system and generally agreeable interior appointments.
Room For Improvement: Mushy handling, sub-par refinement, too-familiar cabin, overall impression of"We didn't try very hard."
Things don't start well for Toyota's new, second-generation Matrix (sister car to the Pontiac Vibe). "Hard to tell which engine-the 1.8-liter or the 2.4-is under the hood, and I'm not sure I even care," writes Loh. "Not a compelling drive."
In the company of the more affordable, far more spirited and engaging Honda Fit, the Matrix (like the Vibe) stands out as an average effort at best. FYI, Ed, that's the bigger, 2.4-liter four under the hood of our tester. Though it'll help the Matrix outsprint the Honda, the engine is nowhere near as polished and peppy. "Some engine buzz at cruise-and a fair amount of wind noise," writes Markus. "Almost boomy at speed," says Lassa.
We're scratching our collective heads over this one; is the new Matrix really an upgrade over the outgoing model? The 2009 car is roughly the same size as the one it replaces, though a new tilt/telescoping wheel improves the driving position a bit. "Toyota is playing down the SUV-ness this time," says Markus, "but the interior, for instance, looks very familiar." "This car should've gotten a bigger upgrade," Lassa adds.
All-wheel drive is available in the S model, albeit with a four-speed automatic only. The "sporty" front-drive XRS gets a front strut-tower brace, standard stability control, and 18-inch rubber, but the result is hardly stirring. "Not even as much to drive as the Corolla XRS," adds Lassa. "And that's saying something."
Markus writes: "Reasonably well-equipped, with a nice nav interface. The back seat has great toe-room and a nice chair height, but the beltline is really high. Lots of kids won't be able to see out very well."
Kiino seems almost stunned by the XRS's $24K as-tested sticker. "A Mazdaspeed 3 [one of our favorite hot hatches] starts at just $23,410!"
- Arthur St. Antoine
| 2009 Toyota Matrix |
| Base price range | $17,010-$21,480 |
| Price as tested | $23,660 (XRS) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, FWD 5-pass, 4-door hatchback |
| Engine | 2.4L/158-hp/162-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Curb weight (dist f/r) | 3046 lb (59/41%) |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 in |
| Length x width x height | 173.0 x 69.5 x 61.4 in |
| 0-60 mph | 7.3 sec |
| Quarter mile | 15.7 sec @ 88.4 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 128 ft |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.81 g |
| MT figure eight | 28.4 sec @ 0.58 g (avg) |
| EPA city/hwy econ | 21/28 mpg |
| CO2 emmisions | 0.82 lb/mile |
| RATINGS |
| Engineering | ** |
| Design | ** |
| Interior | ** |
| Performance | ** |
| Ease of Use | ** |
| Safety | *** |
| Value | ** |
| BOTTOM LINE |
| Even if you require only a transportation appliance, you can do better elsewhere |