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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Toyota
As the SUV craze evolves into the crossover vehicle craze, one of the suburban do-alls that helped to start the trend soldiers into 2007 with detail changes and a fancy new outfit. Luckily, you won't need Laurence Fishburne to show you the mysteries of Toyota's Matrix.
Actually, there aren't that many mysteries to be had here. Introduced in 2003, the Matrix rides the same platform as the familiar Corolla and offers an economical powertrain, a taller seating position and a healthy appetite for cargo. The Matrix has been around long enough to become somewhat commonplace, but you may have seen a new version running around in brilliant electric blue with a big loop spoiler on the tail. You're looking at the limited-edition Matrix M-Theory. For 2007, the all-wheel drive and sporty XRS versions of the Matrix are going away, leaving Matrix enthusiasts looking for sport no choice but to choose the blue pill.
The Matrix' rakish wagonette styling has aged quickly in the four years it's been out. The with a dramatically sloped nose, dramatic side sculpting and a rear roof that's pulled down over the cargo area like armor are by no means boring, but they can be called "familiar," and not necessarily in a good way. The M-Theory adds a bit of spice to the mix, with unique Speedway blue paint, the exaggerated spoiler, a fat chrome exhaust tip and special 17" wheels. Toyota plans to build about 2500 copies of the M-Theory.
Metallic-finish interior trim is also part of the package. Otherwise, the Matrix M-Theory is just like the rest of the lineup, with racy red gauges and a circle-intensive dashboard and center stack. Side-curtain airbags are available. The seating position is just raised enough to reduce long-distance fatigue in for taller drivers, and rear-seat legroom is decent as well. The cargo area has a flat floor and a carpet-free surface, the better to carry dirty active-lifestyle gear. Cargo nets and tiedowns are standard equipment. Fold the seats and the Matrix will carry up to 53.2 cubic feet of cargo. The rear hatch glass opens separately, for easier loading of small cargo.
The suspension betrays the Matrix' Corolla underpinnings, with rather ordinary MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam rear axle. The M-Theory gets some additional performance equipment though, in the form of a strut tower brace and four-wheel disc brakes. On the road, it's noticeably tauter than a standard Matrix, though it stops just short of feeling honestly sporty. Anti-lock brakes are optional, as is Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) driver-aid system. A tire pressure monitoring system is also new.
Straight-line performance hasn't changed; the 1.8 liter four-cylinder still cranks out 126 horses, which is just adequate for the Matrix' 2700-pound weight. Okay, to be honest, driving fans are more likely to call it barely adequate. The Matrix will get out of its own way, but a PT Cruiser Turbo or Volkswagen Rabbit will leave it in the dust. The 1.8 is a buzzy engine too. VVT-i variable valve timing makes good use of the available power, but the little 1.8 often sounds like it's working harder than it wants to. A five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment. We're not fans of Toyota's notchy, flaccid-feeling shifter, but it gets the job done. The available four-speed automatic smoothes things out somewhat, but also saps the Matrix' available power.
The Matrix is a good car, but it's getting long in the tooth and it shows, especially compared to the newer crossovers from Suzuki and Ford, among others. Still, the sporty M-Theory successfully injects a dose of tuner-feeling into the car, and Toyota's TRD accessories department will cheerfully up that ante for you. Matrix pricing starts at $15,260. The M-Theory package adds $1500 to the starting price and our tester hit the road with even more options for $20,544.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Toyota Matrix M-Theory.
Length: 171.3 in.
Width: 69.9 in.
Height: 61.0 in.
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Curb weight: 2701 lb.
Cargo space: 21.8 cu.ft. (seats up); 53.2 cu.ft. (seat folded)
Base price: $15,260
Price as tested: $20,544
Engine: 1.8 liter DOHC inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 126 @ 6000
Torque: 122 @ 4200
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Est. mileage: 29/34
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