Little Wierd, But Still Fun, The Matrix Wins Over USA Today

Those wily Toyota guys. They made four cars out of one set of key components and gave the models distinct personalities and looks — one of the four even is sold by a competitor.

It's the right way to do what the industry calls platform sharing — not changing a few curves or just the nameplate to create a corporate sibling (as you see, for example, in Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5 or Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan).

In this case, we're talking about one set of building blocks for the 2009 Toyota Corolla mainstream sedan, Toyota Scion xB and today's 2009 Toyota Matrix.

A Toyota-General Motors joint venture — the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant in Fremont, Calif. — builds a Matrix version GM sells as Pontiac Vibe that shares the chassis, drivetrain and much of the interior.

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Whelan - 5/30/2008 4:12:30 PM

+1 Boost

It's been that way since 03 when the Matrix/Vibe first came out. They share the same engine, interiors (aside from radios after 05), frames. But all the paneling was different.

Now for 09 they did the same, the radios are slightly different and of course Pontiac has On Star. But personally I would go for the Vibe over the Trix for 09.

I own a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR AWD and it's a fun little car, tons of cargo room, good mileage, and AWD via a viscous differential so its FWD until the slip. The new 09's offer an updated 1.8L engine and the 2.4L instead of the 1.8L VVTL-i w/ 180hp a la XRS, Vibe GT, and Celica GTS.

I would pick the new Vibe though, it looks more edgy, I like the creases and the Toyota looks more like a gown was tossed over it with the flowy Scion/Yaris styling. Plus no rear quarter window, my visibility out of the 05 is second to none.

xlr8 - 5/30/2008 6:01:21 PM

+1 Boost

20+ grand for a matrix...no thanks.

Peyton18 - 5/30/2008 6:45:03 PM

0 Boost

too bad it looks like someone set some blobs of water color paint in the rain and toyota decided to create it...

BostonBiosafety - 5/30/2008 8:30:32 PM

0 Boost

Those big headlights make the car look small and almost cartoon-like. The overall design does not flow....

truckmen - 5/31/2008 2:15:28 AM

+2 Boost

I think that the revised version looks great!
There is a few concerns that I would have with this car and that would be, have they made it safer? and why is it so bad on gas? The Chevy half ton truck is almost comparable in fuel mielage for 2008! Check the numbers before you Matrix fans deboost me.And I hope that they have taken care of the engine sludge issues.Astetically it looks much sportier but have they fixed what makes a car great?

kpaxx - 6/2/2008 9:42:26 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah.....wins over USAToday like toyota is not one of there major advertisers. (sarcasm)