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If you're in the used Toyota car market, and particularly if you're in the Stouffville market, pause at Stouffville Toyota and give the benefits of a Matrix a glance.
If you're planning to buy and keep your used Toyota for a few years, the 2009 or 2010 Toyota Matrix might be a good fit.
Safety is strong in the 2010 Toyota Matrix. Stability and traction control are standard on this model year; as are dual front, side and curtain airbags, active headrests and anti-lock brakes. In federal crash-test evaluations, the Matrix earns a five-star in front and side impact ratings.
Options not always found on small cars are standard on the Matrix: power mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering, and an auxiliary input jack. Upgrade to an S Matrix to get power windows and locks, a useful 115-Volt power outlet good for laptops, cruise control and other options, including a flat-folding front passenger seat. The sporty version-the XRS-has a strut-tower brace for improved handling and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The base 2010 Matrix model is the Standard; it has a four-cylinder, 132-horsepower 1.8-liter engine. The Matrix S and the sporty XRS both have 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower engines. All are front-wheel drive, (an optional AWD model exists in the S) and the weight of the engine has been designed to sit over the front wheels powering the vehicle. This improves the grip in slippery conditions, as does the standard traction control, which virtually eliminates tire spin on take-offs.
The 1.8-liter engine on the Matrix Standard pays huge dividends at the gas pumps; it EPA ratings for manual-transmission models are 11 to 13.6 km/litre on city and highway. On automatic models, the EPA ratings are 10.6/13km/l in city/on the highway. The 2.4-liter engine in the S and XRS models are rated 8.9 to 11.9 km/l, city/highway for the manual transmission, and 8.9 to 12.3 km/l, city/highway for automatic transmissions.
If you're tall, don't worry about fit. The tall roof on the Matrix provides an abundance of headroom. Cargo space is good, too; even with the rear seatbacks in place, you've got 19.5 cubic feet of storage space. Drop the seatbacks, and the cargo room is nothing short of impressive: 61.5 cubic feet allow you to act as the family pick-up...well, you know, almost...there is ample space.
The instrument panel is designed to feel like a cockpit, and controls are conveniently placed, easy to identify and sized so you can easily read them. The nav system, while it lacks voice recognition, is easy to use and hence easy to like.
If you're driving towards a decision on a used car in Stouffville, and want a used Toyota, come and test drive a Matrix. Talk to our Toyota Service people; they'll gladly show you proof of the gas-pedal/brake solution and the wonderful safety features that Toyota cars have.
Go to Stouffville Toyota's Facebook fan page and let us know your thoughts on the Matrix. Or tweet your comments to @greenesttoyota...or visit our showroom in Stouffville.
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