I know, the next generation will soon hit the market and prove to be better than ever. Nevertheless, the current Toyota Matrix continues to enjoy some success as a good all-around compact car which suits many lifestyles.
While there's nothing really exciting about the Matrix, it still fulfills its mission as a family hauler, offering decent room and comfort for five. A longtime friend of mine and father of two, for whom driving feels more like an obligation than a pleasure, recently purchased one for family duties. Now, several months after, he's still satisfied.
Of course, no one will argue that the Matrix is in dire need of a makeover; despite some obvious qualities, it's not exactly the most sought-after model in town.
Aging looks
The Matrix is marketed as a mini-wagon offering lots and lots of cargo room. In reality, that's exactly what it is. The fold-down rear seats further increase the cargo capacity for those who need to carry even more stuff.
Looks, however, are not what Toyota is banking on to sell its mini-wagon. The Matrix sports a fairly aging design devoid of character. Actually, it does not even incorporate the Japanese automaker's well-publicized "Vibrant Clarity" styling attributes.
The prominent nose gives this little car a feline attitude -- a big kitty's, that is, not a menacing tiger's. Fortunately, the gently arched roofline adds a bit of class and friendliness to the overall package.
Admittedly, the interior has been carefully thought out. The shallow gauges somewhat add a retro feel to the dashboard, in accordance with a recent design trend. The controls are conveniently located and easy to manipulate... for the most part.
You see, my tester, which proudly wore the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) logo, came with the premium audio unit (not to mention a few other options and no mechanical upgrades). However, I was disappointed by the tiny size of the radio buttons and their lack of backlighting. Even worse, the interface sticks out from the dashboard as if it was bought at the 99-cent store and fitted there with complete disregard for seamless integration.
Adding insult to injury, the Matrix TRD comes standard with manual windows!
While there's nothing really exciting about the Matrix, it still fulfills its mission as a family hauler, offering decent room and comfort for five. A longtime friend of mine and father of two, for whom driving feels more like an obligation than a pleasure, recently purchased one for family duties. Now, several months after, he's still satisfied.
Of course, no one will argue that the Matrix is in dire need of a makeover; despite some obvious qualities, it's not exactly the most sought-after model in town.
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| The Matrix is a well-rounded compact family wagon. |
Aging looks
The Matrix is marketed as a mini-wagon offering lots and lots of cargo room. In reality, that's exactly what it is. The fold-down rear seats further increase the cargo capacity for those who need to carry even more stuff.
Looks, however, are not what Toyota is banking on to sell its mini-wagon. The Matrix sports a fairly aging design devoid of character. Actually, it does not even incorporate the Japanese automaker's well-publicized "Vibrant Clarity" styling attributes.
The prominent nose gives this little car a feline attitude -- a big kitty's, that is, not a menacing tiger's. Fortunately, the gently arched roofline adds a bit of class and friendliness to the overall package.
Admittedly, the interior has been carefully thought out. The shallow gauges somewhat add a retro feel to the dashboard, in accordance with a recent design trend. The controls are conveniently located and easy to manipulate... for the most part.
You see, my tester, which proudly wore the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) logo, came with the premium audio unit (not to mention a few other options and no mechanical upgrades). However, I was disappointed by the tiny size of the radio buttons and their lack of backlighting. Even worse, the interface sticks out from the dashboard as if it was bought at the 99-cent store and fitted there with complete disregard for seamless integration.
Adding insult to injury, the Matrix TRD comes standard with manual windows!