2003 Toyota Matrix Review

A glance at the sporty, versatile Toyota Matrix might prompt some people to say, "What is it?'' The Matrix is one of the trendiest new small vehicles. It combines attributes of a sports car, sports station wagon and sport-utility vehicle. Some in the industry call it one of the new "tall station wagons,'' although Toyota calls it a cross-over utility vehicle. Whatever its designation, the Canadian-built Matrix was developed with the similar new Pontiac Vibe, which has different styling and is made in California.

Both are early 2003 models aimed at younger motorists who want an affordable sporty vehicle that is versatile and practical. And one they can easily customize. The Matrix seating position is slightly higher than normal because many of those motorists grew up in minivans and sport-utility vehicles, which have high seating. This Toyota also should appeal to some older young-at-heart buyers because, for instance, it's easy to get in and out of the high vehicle, which has big, wide-opening doors.

To keep the $14,670-$19,330 Matrix affordable to younger buyers, Toyota has based the four-door hatchback vehicle on its revamped, early 2003 Corolla sedan and is offering it with a variety of choices. For instance, there are three different trim levels, two engines with three different power ratings, a manual transmission and three versions of an automatic transmission, along with front- or full-time four-wheel drive systems. Confused? Read on.

There is room for four tall adults in the interior, which isn't especially quiet. There's also good storage space and front passenger and rear seats that fold utterly flat even with headrests in place for a large--although somewhat high--cargo area. The front passenger seat folds forward to allow long items to be carried. Even the glove compartment, which seems like an afterthought in some cars, is large. A tailgate window pops up if you want to toss in items without opening the tailgate. Seats are supportive, but the rakish-looking dashboard has analog gauges with oddly placed markings. For instance, the 80-mph mark is put where the 60 mph mark would be on a conventional speedometer.

The tachometer has similar offbeat placement of markings. Forget about easily reading the gauges with polarized sunglasses because they visually "wash out'' the markings. The Matrix looks zoomy and can be had with a Yamaha-built 180-horsepower four-cylinder from the Toyota Celica GT-S sports coupe if buyers don't want the base Corolla four-cylinder. That engine has 123 horsepower with four-wheel drive and 130 horsepower with front-wheel drive when powering the Matrix.

Forget the GT-S engine unless you're a car buff. Although docile, it only really comes alive above the sizzling 6,000 rpm tachometer mark. And it revs at a high 3,400 rpm at 75 mph. The Corolla four-cylinder lacks the punch of the GT-S engine, and feels lazy in a Matrix with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It's easier to live with during regular driving than the hot rod engine. Just don't try quick passing maneuvers with it at highway speeds. Fuel economy is good with all engines, with the Corolla engine delivering the best mileage with the front-drive setup.

The six-speed manual transmission offered with the GT-S engine was very notchy in my test XRS, although it worked with a light, but long-throw, clutch. That 180-horsepower engine also comes with a high-performance four-speed automatic. And you can get the 130-horsepower version with a regular four-speed automatic or four-speed automatic with a transfer case if you order four-wheel drive. There's also a five-speed manual gearbox, but the four-wheel-drive models come only with an automatic Still confused? Keep reading.

The Matrix comes in Standard, SR and hot rod (180-horsepower) XRS trim levels. While you can get front- or four-wheel drive systems, this is no off-road machine with four-wheel drive. The XRS comes only with front-drive. The XRS streaks to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. But it has pronounced torque steer (front tires jerk to the left or right) when accelerating quickly from a standing start on wet roads. However, big, optional 17-inch wheels and tires for the XR and XRS help these models provide the best handling of any Matrix.

Standard on all Matrix models are fairly large 16-inch wheels and tires. The Matrix is fun to drive, especially in XRS form. The steering is quick, handling is nimble and the supple suspension soaks up bumps. The brake pedal has a nice feel, and stopping distances are short.

Anti-lock brakes are standard on four-wheel-drive Standard and XR models and optional for those models with front-drive.

They're also standard on the XRS. The Standard model has a fair amount of equipment, including air conditioning, intermittent wipers and rear defogger. But an AM/FM/CD is optional for that Matrix, and you must move up to the XR and XRS models to get such things as keyless entry, power windows and door locks. The XR has sporty looking side body skirts, but the XRS is the raciest-looking Matrix with those skirts and front and rear spoilers, which are optional for the XR.

The driver's seat moves back far enough to make an NBA player happy, and there's enough headroom to wear a top hat. Front cupholders are large. So are the climate system controls, although they should operate more smoothly. Radio controls are too small for easy operation, and rear windows don't roll all the way down. But you can charge your laptop with the 115-volt power outlet on the XR or XRS dashboard. A Matrix salesperson should love this vehicle because it could be sold as a roomy and sporty small sedan or station wagon. Or sport-utility vehicle. Or a mini-minivan. Or whatever.

TOYOTA MATRIX

Prices
$14,670-$19,330.
Likes
Roomy. Versatile. Distinctive. Fast with upscale engine. Fun to drive.
Dislikes
Notchy six-speed gearbox. Oddly placed gauge markings. Top engine best suited to sports car.