The guy at the transmission shop rushed out to get a look at the Toyota Matrix.  “What is it?” he asked.  “It’s pretty cool.  Is it a four or a V6?”  A grizzled diesel mechanic had a similar reaction when he saw our dark blue test car on his lot.  “Is it a four-by-four?” he asked.

Not bad curb draw for a vehicle that’s basically a glorified Corolla wagon, eh?


Oh, right, we know, it’s called a “crossover” and all sorts of other hip-sounding things, but the fact of the matter is, Toyota’s Matrix and its Pontiac sibling the Vibe are intended to do the tasks that have been falling to station wagons for years.  The trouble was, a little station wagon just isn’t cool enough for the active-sports crowd to feel good about tossing bikes, boards or tents into one for a long weekend.  And that’s where the Matrix comes in.  It’s a station wagon at heart, but the tall-sided body and angular design are loads hipper than the average wagon could ever be.  For 2005 the Matrix gets fresh styling and Toyota’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.

The Matrix’ design got the attention and approval of young and old alike.  The face is a daring riot of triangles and spiky bodywork.  A thick character line bulges the rear fender, and the roof seems to slope down at the rear thanks to slanted back windows.  The Matrix isn’t chopping away any headroom back there, however.  Optional 16″ wheels make this wagon look hunkered down.  Lower grilles grace the front and rear bumpers.

Inside, the Matrix continues to scream “cool.”  The dash is lit in electroluminescent red, and each of the round gauge pods is surrounded by a chrome ring.  Apart from the inevitable reflections in the windshield on sunny days, we like the look.  Automatic-equipped Matrices have a tall console that houses the shifter above and a small storage bin below.  The seats are chair-height, and very comfortable.  Active-lifestyle touches include fold-flat seats for everyone except the driver, a plethora of cargo hooks, and an AC plug in the dash for laptop computers and other appliances.  There’s even a navigation system available, and that’s an option that isn’t seen much at this end of the market.  Our only gripe was with the plastic-lined cargo area, which seems like a cool idea in concept but allows small cargo to slide around in reality.  The optional storage nets or carpet pads are recommended.

The Matrix XR is let down by its 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine.  This 123-horsepower unit (130 in two-wheel drive models) is well suited to duty in the Corolla, but the three-thousand pound Matrix’ girth gets the best of it, in spite of Toyota’s power-boosting variable valve timing.  On the freeway, the Matrix is constantly hunting for gears in an often futile effort to keep up with traffic.  If you’re going to spend time on the highway, we’d recommend the 170-horse, six-speed Matrix XRS, or a manual transmission.  Around town the automatic-equipped Matrix is only slightly sluggish.  Our test car was an all-wheel drive (AWD) model, which further contributed to the feeling of slowness.  A sudden rainstorm didn’t slow our AWD Matrix down a bit.

The suspension is Toyota’s familiar MacPherson front, torsion beam rear, and it works as well as it does in the Corolla.  The Matrix rides well enough, despite the jerky ballet between engine and transmission.  Optional 17″ wheels with wide 215-series tires give it a degree of lateral stability, too.  It will handle better than it looks like it ought to.  Toyota’s excellent quietness measures ensure that the Matrix feels pricier than it is over the road.

Although it’s pitched as a sports-gear hauler, the Matrix would be equally happy hauling a small family around town.  Side airbags are available.  The four-wheel disc brakes work well, and anti-lock brakes are standard on all-wheel drive models.  Our test car took an impromptu weekend trip from Detroit to New York City and proved to be a comfortable companion and vacation-treasure hauler, even in one of the most car-hostile environments in the country.

In addition to its twin from Pontiac, the Matrix will do battle with cars like Ford’s Focus wagon and Suzuki’s Aerio as a suburban do-all.  The Matrix falls right between the sporty Focus and utilitarian Aerio in terms of personality, and there’s no doubting its ability to draw attention.  Matrix pricing starts at a very agreeable $15,110 for a two-wheel drive model; all-wheel drive takes it up to $17,645.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2005 Toyota Matrix
Length:         171.3 in.
Width:            69.9 in.
Height:            60.6 in.
Wheelbase:        102.4 in.
Curb weight:        2965 lb.
Cargo space:        21.8 cu.ft (seats up); 53.2 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Base price:        $15,110
Engine:         1.8 liter 16-valve four-cylinder
Drivetrain:         four-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Horsepower:         123 @ 6000 (AWD); 130 @ 6000 (2WD)
Torque:         118 @ 4200 (AWD); 125 (2WD)
Fuel capacity:        11.9 gal.
Est. mileage:        26/31