Throughout the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its car or truck line up and also the decision was created to create a auto to entice young persons who were searching for a thing that was little, fun to generate, and inexpensive. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed one thing that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that type of the car or truck and some thing radically unique was essential. Enter the Matrix. Based around the Corolla platform, the Matrix does what no Corolla can do: turn heads. Let’s take a look at this sporty compact and see how the 2006 model stacks up.

In 2003, the Matrix was introduced on the North American market. Built in California as a joint venture with General Motors – the Pontiac Vibe is its twin – the Matrix is aimed toward spending budget conscious young individuals who want a automobile that can make a statement. To save money, the Corolla frame was employed, but the Matrix stands some 3 inches taller and is 8 inches shorter than its Toyota sibling. The roof line on the Matrix is totally various too as it slopes from front to back and ends in a wedge, giving the car or truck somewhat of the wagon look to it. This rakish appearance is what gives the Matrix its special appear too as an extra bit of room for people today and their stuff. Indeed, both driver and front passenger sit higher up, a good deal like inside a small SUV or as in a motor vehicle like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. With four doors plus a rear lift gate, the Matrix acts much more like a wagon, but its sleek exterior quickly refutes that fact.

Motorists have a option between front wheel drive plus a four wheel drive versions from the car, a little something not offered on the Corolla. The standard motor for that Matrix is a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-I 4-cylinder engine. Mated to a five speed manual transmission, the engine turns out a respectable 126hp. For much more power, there is also a higher tuned version in the same engine delivering 164hp. It gets paired having a six speed manual transmission. Four wheel drive versions from the Matrix come equipped using a 4-wheel anti-lock brake system ABS which is optional on 2WD models.

Gas mileage for the Matrix helps make the car a motorist’s dream. At 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the front wheel generate edition belonging to the automobile produces some of the greatest outcomes of any non-hybrid auto sold in North America. A 13 gallon fuel tank tends to make 400 mile trips a possibility on just a single tank of gas; this is especially great for that student who has to generate back and forth between college campus and house.

Unlike quite a few cars of its size, the aftermarket crowd has produced a wide range of products to help Matrix owners customize their vehicles. Hood protectors, tail light covers, polymer air dams, fog lights, hood scoops and vents, mud flaps, and paintable window covers are some belonging to the Toyota parts and accessories pitched to youth, who are the primary owners with the Matrix.

MSRP starts at US$15,110 CDN$17,200 having a top on the line Matrix topping out at just under US$20K to about CDN$25K.

For that entire North American marketplace, Toyota sells nearly 100,000 Matrix’ per year. Not bad for a auto whose origins are fairly uncomplicated but whose heart is truly sporty and youth minded.

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