2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix Road Test

Not long ago, as part of a review of Toyota 's new 2008 Sequoia full-size SUV, we reported that Toyota offered no fewer than six SUVs and car-based crossovers ranging from compact RAV4 through the mid-size Highlander, 4Runner and FJ Cruiser and full-size Sequoia and Land Cruiser.

Ooops! We completely forgot the seventh and smallest member of Toyota 's extended family, the Corolla-based Matrix, which arrived in 2003 before "crossovers" were in vogue and hordes of practical-minded Americans began rushing to them.

We could be forgiven for forgetting it, though, since the previous generation Matrix was, let's be frank, a fairly forgettable vehicle. It was mostly a somewhat aggressively styled small tall wagon offering a cooler, more youthful look and more cargo capability than its supremely boring compact Corolla siblings.

There was a sporty XRS version powered by a high-revving but torque-challenged (Yamaha-built) higher-horsepower 1.8-liter four, which most reviewers drove and wrote, then quickly forgot. That was discontinued after 2006, leaving just the standard 126-hp 1.8-liter four that (under) powered ordinary Corollas.

The Gen I Matrix was notable as the mechanical twin of Pontiac 's Vibe, which was being built (along with Corollas) at the California GM/Toyota joint-venture assembly plant known as NUMMI. While we personally preferred the Pontiac's styling, the Matrix outsold it due mostly (we believe) to Toyota 's much stronger brand image.

This new Canadian-built, Gen II Matrix benefits from a welcome restyling and numerous upgrades and improvements throughout. Most important are first time availability of a 2.4-liter four and all-wheel drive.

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2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix Preview

Toyota says its new Matrix five-door offers "performance that matters" for drivers who want crossover utility in a compact shape.It has - wait for it - the "soul of a two-door sports car," says Tim Morrison, Toyota 's marketing manager.

The new Matrix will arrive in showrooms early next year in three different versions: Standard, S and XRS. All come with front-wheel drive, but the S versions can also be ordered with all-wheel drive.

Two different engines will be offered. The first is a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four with 128 pound-feet of torque. Toyota estimates that with the standard five-speed manual, it will deliver 26/32 mpg. With a four-speed automatic, that drops to 25/31 mpg.The uplevel engine is a 2.4-liter four with variable valve timing and 158 horsepower, along with 162 pound-feet of torque. With a new five-speed automatic transmission, this combination will deliver 21/29 mpg, Toyota says.

Standard safety equipment on all Matrix wagons includes dual front, side, and curtain airbags, along with active headrests and anti-lock brakes. Stability and traction control is standard on the top XRS model, optional on the other versions.

© Source: thecarconnection
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