Toyota Puts the Matrix to Bed in the U.S.

Not that many American consumers will notice, but the Toyota Matrix is being laid to rest next to its one-time twin, the Pontiac Vibe. If you're a faithful member of the Matrix Owners Club you have through the current model year to update, because of as of 2014 the little Corolla-based five-door will be available only in Canada, where it is assembled and still loved. The timing works out as such that the Matrix will sail off into our sunset just as the all-new Corolla is launched. First offered in 2002, the Matrix sold in the 55,000-plus range for its first four years on the market, and averaged 47,000 sales per year through 2008. The slide began with the 2009 model—a tough time for many consumer items—and, oddly enough, coincided with the one major redesign of the Matrix. As of 2012, sales had declined to 4325, and, as Toyota points out, just 0.2 percent of its sales in the compact segment. Short Take Road Test: 2009 Toyota Corolla Instrumented Test: 2013 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan Instrumented Test: 2013 Nissan Sentra SL 1.8 While the Matrix never was a vehicle to cause one to stand up and holler with joy, it has been a solid and reliable machine. The current car comes standard with a 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic; a 2.4-liter churning out 158 horsepower mated to a five-speed manual, a five-speed automatic, or a four-speed auto, and all-wheel drive are available. Get one while you still can. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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