All-New 2009 Toyota Matrix
Toyota will be debuting their 2009 all-new Corolla and Matrix in Las Vegas at this Halloween.
Wants to see if anybody has any news whatsoever on this. Can't wait anymore!!!
Thanks.
Wants to see if anybody has any news whatsoever on this. Can't wait anymore!!!
Thanks.
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Sorry can't make the girl disappear!
link title
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/matrix/index.html
It's going to have a 2.4L w/ available AWD.
Some more info here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/31/sema-2007-2009-toyota-matrix-unveiled/
A V6 Accord gets the same or better MPG than the XRS and close to the mileage of even the base model.
Corolla is not on my list due to lack of a sporty coupe.
Toyota is missing a major market here.
People can buy a Civic coupe and it doesn't have anything to do with the Matrix.
Corolla/Matrix, same thing to me.
And what about this "Blade?" I thought Matrix was going to be called Blade.
I agree - the new Matrix is so evolutionary it really doesn't move the desirability quotient up much. I was getting set to be a little sad that my Matrix becomes the "old" model in a few months, but aftr seeing this I won't be sad. I think mine, purchased with the routine discounts there have been the last two years on Matrix, is a better deal than the new one which will probably sell closer to sticker for a while.
The looks are a little better, apart from that what's to like? I am sure it will gain a couple hundred pounds, so with the base engine it will actually be SLOWER while getting worse fuel economy. There's a win-win, huh?! :-)
And the 2.4 only comes with an automatic, so it will probably have roughly the acceleration of the 4-cylinder Camry, a model with the same powertrain. There's a thrill ride.
And you still have to go for the 'S' trim to get the full power package? That's weak, and bodes ill for Corolla. But what really stinks is that the XRS used to be a true sport model. With the '09 it will just be the loaded model.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Are you sure it is ALL NEW?
There isn't ONE part in common from the 2008 to the 2009?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/31/sema-2007-2009-toyota-matrix-unveiled
But yeah, I wish they could have at least matched the mileage of the current generation Corolla.
I'm also curious what they mean by "roof rack accommodations" on the Toyota website.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
To rephrase the question I posed: did GM and Toyota collaborate on the second generations of thse two models? I had not heard that, so I wonder. GM has proposed offering a Vibe GT with the 260 hp turbo four from the Sky/Solstice and other GM models. There is certainly no such thing proposed for the Matrix (the XRS trim will get the larger NA engine from the Camry).
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Corolla, Tacoma and Vibe are all produced at the Fremont NUMMI plant.
Two of the vehicles coming down the lines are Toyota's with the Vibe is essentially a Toyota in GM clothing.
What mechanical upgrades does the Matrix have that the Vibe does not? Minor or major?
Toyota updated the internals of the manual transmissions in 2005 after there began to be reports of premature failures. Indeed, some of that is detailed in the transmission woes thread right here. Nuttin' for the Vibe.
At the auto show yesterday there were both '09 Matrix and Vibe on display, both roped off so one could not get too close. But the glass is different, as is the shape, between the two, and that's just gleaned from a quick once-over on opposite sides of the show. I think the twins have been separated for good.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Pontiac Vibe will have lower price for 2009, I'd be very surprised if the Matix did not also have a lower price.
But by March, you should begin to see decent stock at dealers.
There's not that much to distinguish between the old ('08) and the new ('09) unless you want the bigger engine or the AWD. In those cases you would need to wait for the '09. Apart from that, power is about the same, size is about the same, interior materials are about the same, and at any given price point features are about the same (except for standard ABS and 6 airbags on all models). With the discounts on the old model now, you could probably get an '08 with the airbags and ABS for the same price as you will be able to get a comparable '09 for, for the first few months of availability.
And of course, there's a styling change, as minor as it is...you have to decide which one you like the looks of more. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Why does the 2.4 use so much gas for so little horsepower?
The 2.4 has been around for awhile now, so it's not the most modern 4 out there. I think the Nissan 2.5 is possibly a better engine overall, and the VW 2.0 Turbo is just amazing.
I've really curious as to what Toyota has up its sleeve in the new 2.7L 4-cylinder coming in the new Venza.
The Camry also gets competitive mileage with this same engine.
Reference: the revised 2008 Ratings for the RAV4 with 2.4 Auto are 21 / 27 - both numbers down 3 mpg from 2007.
Matrix 2.4 Auto are 21 / 29. I was surprised that the wheelbase of the Matrix is only 2.3" less, and that the weight is only 335 lb less. (Matrix gained 209 lbs in the re-do). Yet, the same City mileage for a 10% lighter car is kinda fishy. I'll bet that physics won't be cheated, and we'll see better real-world City mpg with the Matrix.
I wonder if the higher stance on the RAV allows for a freer-breathing exhaust?
The good news is we have the option of the 1.8 Auto; it's listed at 25 / 31 - 19% better City mileage, and nearly 15% Highway than RAV4. THe Manual numbers are 1 mpg better. This is the model I want to test drive for myself. I now have Highlander with the 2.4 Auto, 3516 lbs. and I'm hoping the Yamaha-built 1.8 is smoother than 2.4, and gives me equivalent (or better) performance with better mileage.
Per Toyota's own website today, RAV4 AWD 2.4 (auto) is rated at 20/25 for 2008. Matrix AWD 2.4 (auto) is at 20/26. The '09 Matrix in its AWD trim only weighs about 100 pounds less than the RAV4 2.4 AWD, probably the main reason the numbers are so similar.
What stinks is that all 2.4L versions of the Matrix get the 5-speed auto EXCEPT the AWD! What's that all about? The AWD only gets the 4-speed, which must detract from fuel economy.
Another significant item to me is that the gas tank in the Matrix remains only 13.2 gallons, fine for the smaller engine with its higher mileage, but not so great for a 2.4L Matrix which will require fill-ups every 250-300 miles with that little gas capacity.
Compare this to the Subaru Impreza, priced the same and making a point better in gas mileage (and an extra 10 hp), but with a 16 gallon tank for much improved range compared to Matrix.
What's puzzling is that the Camry, with exactly the same 2.4L powertrain (and slightly better gas mileage) as the '09 Matrix, gets an 18.5-gallon gas tank, so clearly someone at Toyota acknowledges the need for a car with this fuel economy to have a bigger tank. Perhaps there's just no space under there to shoehorn it in?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Wanna know something even crazier? I just sat in two new 2009 Corollas - they are both listed for 27/35 mpg with the 1.8 Auto.
I just checked, the Corolla final drive ratio for the 1.8 Auto is 4.130, and the Matrix is 4.312. And the Matrix is taller, so it'll have more drag at highway speeds. Toyota is positioning the new Matrix as a "Sport Coupe" look with a hatchback. They even try to disguise the rear doors be removing the 2007's side glass behind the rear doors. So, the diff ratio is numerically higher, so the Matrix will be quicker off the line, but get lower mileage. Your mileage may vary, though.
I guess you just can't beat the physics of it, no matter what.
The Nissan Rogue is much, much larger and gets 22 MPG city vs 21 for the 2.4 liter Matrix..
another factor no one mentioned is the axle ratio. you'll have to know that also to make a fair comparison.
this is only speculation, but from reading various forums here and other sites, the 4 speed auto is more durable than the 5 speed. i have read that the toyota 5 speed transmission has had some problems. this must explain why they are using the 4 speed for the awd matrix... it will stand up to more stress.
- Roomy enough for this guy, 6"4" 260. Enough adjustment in the tilt/tele for me to lift off the gas and hit the brake without banging the back of the wheel with my knee. Seats above average comfort. Seat height relatively high - much higher than, say, and Altima. Getting out, my knees were above 90'. Big plus for me. Noticeably narrower than an xB, but OK.
- Nice combination of ride and handling; just a tad rough for my taste, but considering the wheel/tire combo, I thought it was very good. Steering was very good. Brakes were very firm and linear.
- A little too much road noise, again OK considering the 45 series tires.
- Power was more than adequate. Merged onto the freeway without needing more than 3/4 throttle. (this is the 2.4L)
- Impressively quiet ride. Very smooth engine. Less bouncy in this configuration than in the Scion xB.
- Good rear-set room for two, or three small people. With Driver's seat ALL the way back, I sat behind it fine.
- Very good cargo room. Seemed even larger than the fish-eye pictures showed. A nice, flat floor, with some additional storage underneath. Plenty wide, and even deeper than it is wide. Seats fold down true flat.
- Nice dash layout. Sharp overall styling. Nose less pointy in person than in pictures. Overall, very sleek. Shapely enough for Gen Y, but classy enough for the over-50's too.
- Well-placed mounts for roof rack for my bikes. Roof-height perfect for putting two bike up there.
- Only negative - five speed auto shifting only so-so. Not nearly as crisp as my 4-speed auto in my 2.4L Highlander. Three distinct episodes of hunting between 2-3 upshift. (Maybe this brand-new trans needs to learn?) I had heard negative comments of 2005-2007 3.3L Highlander 5-speed auto, and went 2.4L 4-speed as a result and have been glad I did. Toyota Service reports that the 4-speed is very rugged.
I originally wanted to try a XRS, but the one they'd had was gone. With choppy-riding 215/45-18's on the XRS, I'm more interested in seeing how comfortable the ride the Standard's tires would give.
I left requesting a call when they got a 1.8L Auto in. I'll let y'all know what that's like as well.
All in all, a very positive drive in a very modern ride.
I got a $180 Sony CD player with an AUX / MP# input installed in my 2007 Highlander, and it's better than the factory MP3 in the 2008 Highlander. I'm sure you must have save lots more than that with the '08 vs. the '09. So splurge and go to Best Buy / Circuit City.
I hope you and your dogs enjoy the new ride.