2002 Toyota Matrix XR review from North America

The Matrix is a fun car, with innovative ideas about utility.

This is a very sleek comfortable car, in the body of a hatchback.

The automatic has no problem bringing itself up to speed for on-ramps, but has a slight delay before kicking into the passing gears.

The ability to fold down all of the seats completely flat (except the driver's seat) gives the car a large amount of space.

A trip back from the hardware store, carrying 8' lumber is no problem.

The XR model comes standard with a 6-disc in-dash CD player, but no tape player. Considering their target audience for the car is comprised of children from the 1980's, they should have included a tape player option. Nostalgia aside, the sound system is excellent.

This is also a very safe vehicle. A side/front impact at 35 mph leaves the front cabin totally intact (the voice of experience). The passenger side door would not open, but the pasenger was totally unscathed.

I would recommend this car to anyone. Especially a 20-something person looking for a fun and useful car.