You’re in the market for a compact car. You’ve no real affinity for a particular brand, nor for a specific body style, but you do know that carrying a few people and/or some gear (namely your bicycle) are things that you consider important.
With little to go on, you start your search by considering the brands your parents have driven, namely Chevrolet and Toyota. Your trip to a local Chevy dealer reveals that their current lineup doesn’t have a compact hatchback that would suit your needs. The Orlando is the closest product that answers positively to your requirements; however, its SUV-cum-minivan styling is not to your taste.
Next stop: The local Toyota dealer. Here, options seem more plentiful. The Matrix and the Prius capture your attention, however, the hybrid’s $26,000 starting price knocks it off your list. You are then left with the Matrix. Time to dig a little deeper.
It’s all there
The 2012 Toyota Matrix’s styling is better than fine. In fact, the lightly sculpted front end and subtle rear-end treatment suit your tastes just fine; the car’s not “cute” and not overtly over-the-top. It’s nice.
The same goes for the cabin. Every button and gauge looks to be where it belongs. The aluminum coloured appliqués add a little spice to the otherwise very grey interior. Radio and HVAC controls are large and straightforward. Nothing fancy or flashy; it’s perfect.
The seats seem cozy, and the rear bench is large enough for a pair of friends. The most important aspect is the trunk. To your surprise, as you open the hatch, you come across a vast expanse of light grey plastic. The maximum offered volume of 1,398 litres (49.4 cubic feet) in the 2012 Toyota Matrix is more than enough to swallow the two-wheeled steed, however, the possibility of scratching the plastic with the bicycle pushes you to ask about a cargo liner. Fortunately, it is an available accessory; however, it does not cover the rear seat backs.
Better than expected
From there, a road test is in order. Leaving the dealership with an automatic transmission model, you note that the ‘box only holds four gears, unlike the Orlando which featured six gears. Be that as it may, the transmission works smoothly and seems responsive. The 1.8L 4-cylinder, which generates 132 hp feels adequate, especially from a standstill, as the 2012 Toyota Matrix juts forward at the mildest throttle application.
Realizing that the throttle will take some getting used to, you concentrate on the 2012 Toyota Matrix’s steering. It is exceptionally light, which you like in town. The ride is comfortable, easygoing and actually better than you expected given all the negative comments you’ve heard about Toyota. To that, the “sporty-ness” of the Matrix surprises you.
The other worrisome aspect: the brakes. Again, numerous stories about unintended accelerations and brakes worried you, but the brief test drive reveals a pedal that is firm and well adjusted in the 2012 Toyota Matrix.
Your generally relaxed driving style is well suited to the car. In the course of the test, you attempt a passing manoeuvre and find the experience laboured and noisy. In the end, it does the job.
So far, so good.
The shopping process
Before agreeing to anything, you wisely surf the web for other alternatives. A trip to a Hyundai dealer is highly educational. There are numerous alternatives that all correspond to your budget. Both the Accent and the Elantra GT fit the bill perfectly.
The Elantra GT GL automatic is especially attractive, both in styling and equipment, over the Matrix. For roughly $1,000 over the base Matrix 4-speed automatic with Commodity package prices of $20,850, the Hyundai includes heated front seats, a 6-speed automatic, more power (148 hp vs. 132) Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a far better basic 5-year/100 000 km warranty (Toyota: 3/60,000).
Further down the spec sheet, fuel consumption jumps out at you. On paper, the Elantra GT is about 15% more efficient. With gas prices as high as they are, this fact weighs heavily on your mind.
The final tally
Returning home and putting things into perspective, the Hyundai is more modern in many respects and is by far better kitted out, but the 2012 Toyota Matrix has a better overall well-sorted drive. This is in fact the only aspect keeping you from signing on the dotted line at the Hyundai dealer.
A little more research exposes the fact that Hyundais still suffer from a weaker resale value, but reliability-wise (an area once owned by Toyota) they are on fairly equal footing.
Father thinks that buying the Toyota is a safer bet, but you’ve got the Hyundai clear in your sight lines. The Matrix is good, but the Elantra GT is better.
With little to go on, you start your search by considering the brands your parents have driven, namely Chevrolet and Toyota. Your trip to a local Chevy dealer reveals that their current lineup doesn’t have a compact hatchback that would suit your needs. The Orlando is the closest product that answers positively to your requirements; however, its SUV-cum-minivan styling is not to your taste.
Next stop: The local Toyota dealer. Here, options seem more plentiful. The Matrix and the Prius capture your attention, however, the hybrid’s $26,000 starting price knocks it off your list. You are then left with the Matrix. Time to dig a little deeper.
It’s all there
The 2012 Toyota Matrix’s styling is better than fine. In fact, the lightly sculpted front end and subtle rear-end treatment suit your tastes just fine; the car’s not “cute” and not overtly over-the-top. It’s nice.
The same goes for the cabin. Every button and gauge looks to be where it belongs. The aluminum coloured appliqués add a little spice to the otherwise very grey interior. Radio and HVAC controls are large and straightforward. Nothing fancy or flashy; it’s perfect.
The seats seem cozy, and the rear bench is large enough for a pair of friends. The most important aspect is the trunk. To your surprise, as you open the hatch, you come across a vast expanse of light grey plastic. The maximum offered volume of 1,398 litres (49.4 cubic feet) in the 2012 Toyota Matrix is more than enough to swallow the two-wheeled steed, however, the possibility of scratching the plastic with the bicycle pushes you to ask about a cargo liner. Fortunately, it is an available accessory; however, it does not cover the rear seat backs.
Better than expected
From there, a road test is in order. Leaving the dealership with an automatic transmission model, you note that the ‘box only holds four gears, unlike the Orlando which featured six gears. Be that as it may, the transmission works smoothly and seems responsive. The 1.8L 4-cylinder, which generates 132 hp feels adequate, especially from a standstill, as the 2012 Toyota Matrix juts forward at the mildest throttle application.
Realizing that the throttle will take some getting used to, you concentrate on the 2012 Toyota Matrix’s steering. It is exceptionally light, which you like in town. The ride is comfortable, easygoing and actually better than you expected given all the negative comments you’ve heard about Toyota. To that, the “sporty-ness” of the Matrix surprises you.
The other worrisome aspect: the brakes. Again, numerous stories about unintended accelerations and brakes worried you, but the brief test drive reveals a pedal that is firm and well adjusted in the 2012 Toyota Matrix.
Your generally relaxed driving style is well suited to the car. In the course of the test, you attempt a passing manoeuvre and find the experience laboured and noisy. In the end, it does the job.
So far, so good.
The shopping process
Before agreeing to anything, you wisely surf the web for other alternatives. A trip to a Hyundai dealer is highly educational. There are numerous alternatives that all correspond to your budget. Both the Accent and the Elantra GT fit the bill perfectly.
The Elantra GT GL automatic is especially attractive, both in styling and equipment, over the Matrix. For roughly $1,000 over the base Matrix 4-speed automatic with Commodity package prices of $20,850, the Hyundai includes heated front seats, a 6-speed automatic, more power (148 hp vs. 132) Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a far better basic 5-year/100 000 km warranty (Toyota: 3/60,000).
Further down the spec sheet, fuel consumption jumps out at you. On paper, the Elantra GT is about 15% more efficient. With gas prices as high as they are, this fact weighs heavily on your mind.
The final tally
Returning home and putting things into perspective, the Hyundai is more modern in many respects and is by far better kitted out, but the 2012 Toyota Matrix has a better overall well-sorted drive. This is in fact the only aspect keeping you from signing on the dotted line at the Hyundai dealer.
A little more research exposes the fact that Hyundais still suffer from a weaker resale value, but reliability-wise (an area once owned by Toyota) they are on fairly equal footing.
Father thinks that buying the Toyota is a safer bet, but you’ve got the Hyundai clear in your sight lines. The Matrix is good, but the Elantra GT is better.
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