2006 Toyota Matrix Review

Specifications

Not Funny, But Functional

I feel almost obligated to make some sort of Matrix the car and Matrix the movie joke, but, apparently, that would be pretty lame. Im told Im not supposed to use lame jokes and especially ones that are as old as Toyotas compact wagon, that came on the scene in 2002 as a 2003 model, so I just wont be funny, which is also appropriate. You see, the Matrix, despite the hip name and cool commercials (particularly the splitting-blob TV ad), is very serious (although I cant speak for the XRS model as I havent tested it). It does what its called to do and does it well, but it wont really let you get things out of hand. It almost decides when youve had enough fun, and when its time for you to slow down and behave yourself.

That was on of the reasons I found driving the Matrix, even in stop-and-go traffic, to be quite a relaxing process. Its also easy to step into, get the high chair adjusted, tailor the steering wheel to your height and get going. You dont need a manual to understand its true potential. Small car, small and efficient engine, and a lot of space for my hockey bag or bicycle in the cargo bay once the back seats are folded down. Its almost creepy how accommodating it is. And by accommodating I dont just mean lots of room, but the ease with which it goes about all of its tasks.

The particular Matrix that I was driving was a base model with the added benefit of always-available four-wheel drive. By base I mean hand crank windows, rear drum brakes and the option of keeping the drivers seat upright or reclining. However, basic living with the 2006 Matrix also includes air conditioning, 60-40 split folding rear seats, an AM/FM CD stereo, ABS (standard on 4WD models), and power variable-assist steering.

The engine was what I think of as a typical Toyota unit; four cylinders, fuel injection, low emissions (excuse you), Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i), and an excusable 118-horsepower generating 115 lb-ft of torque. Granted, the horsepower is at the lower end of the Toyota scale, or any scale above the subcompact class for that matter, so I sometimes felt like I was swimming against a strong tide, but so far my calculations put average fuel consumption at 32 mpg. I could definitely live with that.

I could also start the debate of how to classify it - wagon, five-door, or crossover - but I dont really care what you call it. Any way you slice it, its a heckuva package. Seating for five, ample storage, solid styling, affordable reliability and that peace of mind that comes with owning any Toyota.

The interior is modern and stylish, the dash covered in forgettable grey plastic, but the center console was detailed in this cool plastic with a kind of sparkly satin-metallic effect. Another high point is the highly visible Optitron backlit gauge cluster, deep set in their chrome-trimmed wells. The deepness shelters the faces from glare, making everything easily defined at a glance.

Everything else is straightforward, simple three-knob HVAC controls, large-print, big-buttoned stereo controls and round black vents that split and flip open when you push the top. The only thing I had trouble finding was the gas flap release - it was under the seat, next to the door - is it just me or is that weird? (Its just you Jonathan, Ed.) I found it eventually, so that shouldnt ever be a problem again.

And then there were all the storage cubbies: beneath the stereo, under the gear-shift lever, CD rack at the bottom of the center console, a pair of solid cup holders (thumbs up), little recesses great for cell phones or digital cameras and a deep well that I could almost stick my whole head in. I think there was a glove box, too. The front passenger seat folds flat and it has a flat recessed area that can be used as a picnic table. Oh yeah, and its a wagon, so theres also a potential million cubic feet of storage capacity out back if you fold the back seat down - maybe not quite armoire sized, but definitely small desk or dressers, easily.

That rear stowage area also features a sliding track cargo system that I didnt get a chance to try out as I never had more than a few groceries to try out. I did use the glass hatch that opens separately, which is easier because its lighter and Im just that lazy. But wait, theres more - a little mini trunk within a trunk - more covered storage areas in the cargo area that are only trumped by something like the Ridgelines pickup-bed trunk.

The last items worth mentioning inside the car are the seats, because whenever youre in the car, youre in your seat. I cant say that my back problems this weekend were caused by the seats, but they sure didnt help. They offered practically no substantial support for my lower back, and on a long Saturday drive, my back gradually caved in more and more until I had to stop, get out, stretch and walk around. Not good.

When I wasnt complaining about my back, I was revving the low-powered engine to get as much juice as I could out of it. The technical details are as follows: 4 cylinders, 1.8 liters displacement, sequential multi-port fuel injection and Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) and, in the case of my tester, V-Flex 4-wheel drive. Although all of the above are seamless and functional in daily driving, I had to go out of my way to test the last.

So I went backroading on country routes around Lake Simcoe and discovered that the 4WD is almost as seamless as the variable timing. While it normally pulls all of its weight from the front wheels, if the Matrix detects excessive wheel spin it engages its viscous coupling and redirects torque to the rear wheels temporarily until the front wheels find traction again. As far as I was willing to go off the main roads, and even a puddle or two that I hunted down, the Matrix was always in control, as I imagine it would be on rainy byways, snow covered city streets or any other roadways it may be called on to traverse. If youre looking for a serious trail-busting 4×4, youll want to be shopping elsewhere.

But on the highway, the Matrix is your ticket. It cruises along, not quite effortlessly, but with just enough commotion to keep me in check, and not enough power to let me get into any reindeer games with some of the other 401 flyers. If youre not bent on being the fastest cruiser and most daring lane changer, then the Matrix is a capable performer, and it may even help you keep that heart rate down and accept what the traffic gods give you.

On surface streets, the Matrix is easy to navigate thanks to its variable-assist power steering, which becomes a liability at high speeds because it still feels a little loose and delayed. The four-speed automatic transmission performed about as well as could be expected, with only one hiccup of gear confusion when tackling a rather steep hill at a middling speed.

The brakes are standard ventilated discs up front and ho-hum rear drums, but they were easily up to the task of hauling the Matrix down from speed. Beyond that, the safety cocoon includes dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, 3-point seatbelts with force limiters and adjustable height shoulder anchors.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Matrix can be had with a TRD package or in XRS trim, each one adding power, style and comfort upgrades. You can also add on various features or packages with Toyotas growing customization options, which opens the door to whatever your heart or ego desires.