CD Article: 2009 Toyota Corolla and Matrix

[CD_Editor]

Today's Preview:


Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon, attended a sneak preview of the redesigned 2009 Toyota Corolla and Matrix at the plant where they're built in Cambridge, Ontario.  Click here to read his exclusive report.
   
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Read the article | View the photos: 2009 Toyota Corolla and 2009 Toyota Matrix | All The First Drives

[siwash]

Ugly. I own the current model. There ecnonimcal, practical but ugly. I'd extend that to the entire lineup except for the Yaris (maybe the new camry)

this corolla looks almost the same as rthe current

they better hope that their quality keeps up cause the competition is offering excellent quality and MUCH nicer looking cars...

[Cortina]

Ugly. I own the current model. There ecnonimcal, practical but ugly.

Each to their own I guess. I really like the 08 Corolla.

You have to admit the Matrix is very nice.

[carcrazy]

Matrix design, in&out, looks like a complete mess in my eyes.
Corolla's design looks very similar to the current model, with different front end. Oh, and they put those ugly round reflectors in the rear bumper. This must be the new Toyota signature - the Highlander has them too.

Why buy a Corolla/Matrix when Mazda3 is available?

[2hondas]

I like both.

However, the rear of the Corolla looks too similar to the current one, and the front looks like a Camry, which isn't that bad.

Is the AWD Matrix avail with the 2.4L? The extra power would be appreciated.

[articsteve]

What it is ... is a mini Camry.     It's appearance is absolutely as intended; to be an awesome, awesome, seller    

[MKII]

So Toyota gave North America the euro Corolla sedan and the Auris as the new Matrix, very smart I'd say. Now North American Corolla customers will have a more refined C-segment vehicle. Remember the Corolla demographics is 50+ age group.

Here is a interior pic of the Euro Corolla http://www.toyota.ee/Images/t8_cor07_car_gal_17_800_tcm425-513993.jpg
And the N.A. interior  http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2009/images/toyota/2009_toyota_corolla/09corolla_xrs_003-53.jpg

The exterior differences I can spot are the nose treatment and rear tail lights on the sedan, and the Matrix appears quite water downed in comparison to the  Auris. Which I find strange. Isn't the Matrix marketed as the higher trim variant in N.A.?

[JSCC]

So Toyota gave North America the euro Corolla seda and the Auris as the new Matrix, very smart I'd say. Now North American Corolla customers will have a more refined -segment vehicle. Remember the Corolla demographics is 50+ age group.

Here is a interior pic of the Euro Corolla http://www.toyota.ee/Images/t8_cor07_car_gal_17_800_tcm425-513993.jpg
And the N.A. interior -http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2009/images/toyota/2009_toyota_corolla/09corolla_xrs_003-53.jpg

The exterior differences I can spot are the nose treatment and rear tail lights on the sedan, and the Matrix appears quite water downed in comparison to the  Auris. Which I find strange. Isn't the Matrix marketed as the higher trim variant in N.A.?

Navi and automatic climate control?
Not going to happen in the North American models. 

[quadzilla]

The Matrix looks smaller in the hatch department which would be sad as it was quite functional before. I guess they still won't bring a proper wagon 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The Matrix looks smaller in the hatch department which would be sad as it was quite functional before. I guess they still won't bring a proper wagon 

My thoughts exactly.

[banfield]

Ditto. My daughter has an earlier Matrix.  Highly driveable and very practical.  It would be a shame if the new model has less interior space.   I would also be concerned about the windshields on the new Matrix and Corolla.  They appear to be more steeply raked, following current fashion, which in my experience compromises forward visibility.

[airbalancer]

Remember the Corolla demographics is 50+ age group.

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I will not be getting one

[tpl]

Fascinating that these grocery getters can come with 215-45/17 or even 215-45/18 tires.   That will be a shock when people go to buy snow tires and even worse, when they hit a pothole.

[Rupert]

Just when I was giving these cars credits for being somewhat higher and more practical. With greater hip entry height, they lower them. Why? Are there statistics out there that say this lowering is a requirement. The Corolla needed an up-date but is this lowering what 50s plus require. I was thinking of trading for a new Matrix next time maybe but I don't know if this lowered version has the same practicality. If the flat hard plastic load floor has gone or the load headroom is reduced it just becomes another Mazda 3 IMO. I wonder if the attributes that made this vehicle attractive to me are still there. Small speedo.
VVT with i. What is the intelligent part of this that other VVts dont have?

[prufrock]

As with the Corolla, front seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side air curtains and front active headrests are now standard equipment. Additionally, front and rear disc brakes are standard on all models, as are anti-lock brakes.

And Toyota FINALLY gets their collective heads out of their asses. 

That new Matrix is fugly beyond belief. Wow. They fix the engine and safety issues and then make it repelling.

The new Corolla does exactly what it has to do, and it will sell well.

[Craig]

In the new Matrix, the length of the rear storage appears shorter than the outgoing model.  It may be wider and have a similar volume, but shortening that area will limit its usefulness.  That's what set the Matrix apart from the Maxda3 hatch.

[tortoise]

While the interior of the new Corolla is quite nice (especially in black), the Vibe is hideous!.  I have no idea why they didn't keep the interiors consistent.

[2latecrew]

This engine produces 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Way to be at the bottom of the class!

Civic 140hp 6300rpm 128 lb-ft at 4300 rpm

Mazda 3
(base 2.0) 148hp 6500 135lb-ft 4500rpm

No I'm not saying this is a deal breaker as people don't race these things. Just that when you come with a brand new design after a long model run you should start out class leading.

[carcrazy]

While I don't find anything wrong with Toyota's concept for Corolla/Matrix, I only hope that the auto outlets will not start calling it "class benchmark", "class leader" and give it all sort of awards.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

As with the Corolla, front seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side air curtains and front active headrests are now standard equipment. Additionally, front and rear disc brakes are standard on all models, as are anti-lock brakes.

And Toyota FINALLY gets their collective heads out of their asses. 

That new Matrix is fugly beyond belief. Wow. They fix the engine and safety issues and then make it repelling.

The new Corolla does exactly what it has to do, and it will sell well.

  Toyota finally has safety equipment (including ABS now, wow!) and decent other nicities as standard. Doesn't look like they're nickel and diming everything. How it's taken this long to happen, and how they've gotten away with it for so long, I'll never know. Really, I can't believe it.

The Corolla looks like a pleasant redesign. No really issues with it.

The Matrix is a mess IMO. Hodgepodge. Current Matrix was very versatile... floor was low and the seats were higher with a highish roof yet still looked clean and sleak, lot of usable rear and cargo space, great fuel economy. Perfect for older folks wanting higher hip-points for ingress/egress or as a more affordable and fuel efficient alternative to a compact ute. Only real issues were the off-centre driving position, dull drive, and lack of power. Now they have the engines and equipment (and AWD!) right, but the concept wrong. It looks shorter and stubbier, even if it isn't. And the hood and hips, my goodness! Why they went lower trying to chase the Mazda3 Sport/Impreza/Rabbit I don't know... they had a somewhat unique and solid market all to themselves with the Matrix. From what I've seen, the Vibe will be the clear winner of the two at least from a styling prospective, and I'm hoping the market responds in appropriate fashion this time around.