2009 Toyota Matrix
Matrix magic: Big things in a small package
Thu, Sep 18th 2008
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, hatchback, awd |
| msrp | $20,400 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 20mpg/26mpg |
| rating |  |
If the Toyota Matrix puzzles you because you can’t tell if it is a small station wagon or an SUV, don’t be concerned, you are not alone.
The small vehicle has a somewhat sporty design on the outside, yet the interior layout resembles that of a compact sport utility vehicle.
But don’t worry, the mystery of the Matrix is easily explained.
Built on the same platform as the Toyota Corolla (in fact, the official name is the Toyota Corolla Matrix), the spunky little runabout gets decent gas mileage and fits into small spaces with ease.
But once inside the Matrix, you find many of the dog-friendly attributes that you’d expect to get in a sport utility vehicle.
Fold flat seats? Check
Easy-to-clean flooring? Check
Wide-open tailgate? Check
Multiple cargo hooks for securing crates? Check (I counted eight).
All-wheel drive? Check
The Matrix S fills all those puppy parameters and much more.
With a low-to-the-road stance and an easy-to-open tailgate, the Matrix offers uncanny flexibility for canines and their cargo. One pleasant surprise is the rubber strips embedded into the hard plastic cargo floor, providing some traction for pup paws and other items that tend to slide during a ride.
The interior space is more than adequate in the Matrix, measuring 40 inches wide by 67 inches deep from tail to the back of the front seats.
For the best fuel economy, you will want to consider the smaller choice in engines, a 1.8 liter version that gets an average of 30 mpg overall. But for those driving in hills, you will want to upgrade to the 2.4-liter engine, which drops overall fuel economy to 22 mpg.
So the mystery of the Matrix is solved: It's a great car for active dogs and their families.
--Keith Turner
Carguy Comments: The Toyota Matrix has been redesigned in 2009 to give it a wider, lower stance. It comes in three grades, the Standard, S and the XRS, with all-wheel-drive available on the S version. Cargo capacity is 61.5 cubic feet.
Toyota Matrix: Proving that good things do come in small packages, the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix is a marvelous DogCar in a compact profile.
Comments
I have two large breed rescue dogs and this car is fabulous!! Plenty of room for both of the animals and all of the supplies that we need for hiking and camping, ect.
2009-01-28 20:04:12
We are lab breeders & have a 2005 Matrix. The reason we purchased the Matrix is because we can open both a Large and X-Large collapsible wire crate in the cargo area with tie downs. The X-Large crate is turned sideways behind the drivers seat and with the huge side doors the Labs have lots of room to get in & out. The Large crate faces the back hatch of the Matrix so there’s still room for bowls, leashes, food, etc along side of the crate. On top of all this it’s great on fuel, we love our Matrix. Brent Harrison
2008-11-20 05:31:34
I use my 2005 Matrix as a Pet Taxi and can easily transport 3-5 dogs and their gear.
2009-05-01 11:58:07