2006 Toyota Matrix 4WD Road Test
I feel almost obligated to make some sort of Matrix the car and Matrix the movie joke, but, apparently, that would be pretty lame. I'm told I'm not supposed to use lame jokes and especially ones that are as old as Toyota's compact wagon, that came on the scene in 2002 as a 2003 model, so I just won't be funny, which is also appropriate. You see, the Matrix, despite the hip name and cool commercials (particularly the splitting-blob TV ad), is very serious (although I can't speak for the XRS model as I haven't tested it). It does what it's called to do and does it well, but it won't really let you get things out of hand. It almost decides when you've had enough fun, and when it's time for you to slow down and behave yourself.