|
The Matrix and the
near-identical Pontiac Vibe, which are essentially restyled Toyota Corolla
hatchbacks, have been on the market since the 2003 model year, and are very
similar in design to the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber, except for the small
detail that they are much better-executed. The seats are better shaped, there
is more cargo space, and gas mileage leads the group. And while its
acceleration, handling, and interior quality are certainly not especially
impressive by the group’s overall standards, they exceed the standard set by
the much newer Caliber. Its shortcomings in terms of power and refinement are
its biggest, and it doesn’t ride or handle especially well either. But its
combination of fuel economy, interior space and comfort, and general
competence make it a reasonable choice in its class.
The Matrix has an absorbent, generally
comfortable ride that lacks control at highway speeds. It’s not nimble, and it
certainly isn’t fun to drive, but it handles capably enough. The steering is
reasonably quick to respond, but returns no feedback. The 1.8-liter I4 is
underpowered in the Matrix, and the car feels even slower than it is because
of the engine roar under acceleration. The engine never settles down to below
a loud drone except at idle, and road noise is not well-suppressed either. The
engine’s size does at least give the Matrix excellent gas mileage, EPA
specifications give it a three-mpg advantage over the second-best vehicles in
this group.
Inside, the Matrix has high, firm, comfortable
seats that could use additional rearward travel and lateral support. The rear
is also roomy and mounted high, but the cushion isn’t shaped right for optimum
comfort. The interior is
sturdily constructed, but uses too many hard plastics. The gauges can be hard
to read, but the instruments are logically arrayed. Taller drivers will either
be too far from the steering wheel or too close to the pedals, which could be
fixed by either a telescoping steering column or adjustable pedals. The high
seating position gives good forward visibility, but the small rear windshield
and rearmost windows obstruct the view to the rear. Cargo space is plentiful,
and like the Chevrolet HHR, the Matrix’s cargo area and rear seatbacks are
covered in durable plastics. The rear seats fold easily to make a flat cargo
floor, and the front seat folds to further expand the space.
The Matrix has not been crash-tested by the
IIHS, but the Corolla sedan on which it is based was rated Good in the offset
crash test and Acceptable in the side crash test when equipped with the
optional side airbags. The Corolla’s head restraints were rated Poor, too. In
NHTSA testing, the Matrix earned five stars for the driver and four for the
front passenger in the frontal crash test, but only three stars for the driver
and four for the rear passenger in the side crash test, tested only without
the optional side airbags.
The Matrix reviewed here came in at $17,420,
well-equipped with all the expected features for this class as well as a
tire-pressure monitor.
Overall, the Matrix is
practical and fuel-efficient, and reasonably priced if not a smashing value.
But its small engine provides mediocre acceleration and a constant source of
noise. The Matrix is a decent choice among practical and generally competent
hatchbacks, but it isn’t as well-rounded as some competitors, and isn’t
inexpensive.
NEXT PAGE
|
