For those at either end of the chronological scale, an easy entry price and low running costs are often extremely important. Such
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| The Matrix interior is so well made, with plastics of such high tactile quality, that it shames a lot of manufacturers that consider their cars "premium". (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
are the reasons the Matrix has become so popular. Most new car buyers know that Toyota nears the top of owner satisfaction surveys, reliability tests and all the other third party studies, so anything the brand puts out is more or less a safe bet. Another thing the Matrix has going for it is extremely high perceived quality. No, I'm not talking about that belief a person gets about one brand being better than another due to name recognition, but rather the touchy, feely sensation that you experience when sitting inside a car. The Matrix interior is so well made, with plastics of such high tactile quality, that it shames a lot of manufacturers that consider their cars "premium". Pontiac's Vibe is the same, causing me to comment in an article I wrote after driving the car across half of Ontario that the compact wagon featured the best interior GM offered at the time, Cadillac included.
I especially like the chrome trimmed gauge cluster, an extremely creative grouping of four circular protruding dials that
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| My XRS tester came with a 6-speed manual - the base model gets a 5-speed unit while a 4-speed automatic is optional. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
set its cockpit apart from anything else in its class, except the Vibe of course. The center stack is within easy reach of either driver or front passenger, and everything, from the multi-disc audio head to the three-dial HVAC unit works the way it's supposed to. The shifter is also well positioned, higher on the console than most other cars bringing it within closer proximity to the steering wheel. My XRS tester came with a 6-speed manual - the base model gets a 5-speed unit while a 4-speed automatic is optional. Clicking through the gears is a relatively fluid process, accompanied by an especially light and easily modulated clutch pedal.
