The Toyota Matrix May Not Be Able To Dodge This Bullet

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A quick reminder in case you had forgotten: yes, Toyota still builds the Matrix. But maybe not for long.

The word on the street is that the Corolla-based five-door hatch may not be long for this world, according to Carbuzz (who wonderfully said "Toyota reportedly weighing whether to give its Corolla-based hatchback the blue pill or the red pill") and other sources. Autoguide says the car may soldier on in Canada.

It makes a lot of sense. A new Corolla is on the way, most likely a watered down version of the impressive-looking Toyota Furia concept, and Matrix sales have been lagging in recent years to the point where Toyota can no longer justify building a hatch version.

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The thing is — and I may catch some hell for this — I like the Matrix. Actually, I liked the first-generation Matrix that debuted for the 2002 model year with the Pontiac Vibe, its sibling from the old NUMMI plant in California.

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While it wasn't a performance car by any means, it was probably the best-looking car in Toyota's lineup at the time behind the last Celica, and the top models had the decent-for-its-day engine from the Celica GT-S. It even had a six-speed manual!

Also, the Matrix came out during that period in the early 2000s when SUVs were kind of at their peak. There wasn't much of a market for small hatches and wagons like we've seen in recent years. The only ones I can think of back then were the Mazda Protege and Subaru Impreza wagons, maybe a couple others. You had to applaud Toyota for trying something a little different. And the car is unique because while it was Toyota, it has one of the highest concentrations of American parts on the market.

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But like the Matrix sequels, later versions of the car were largely disappointing. (See also Scion, except for the FR-S.) The current second-gen Matrix is a bland, anonymous, cheap plastic-filled hatch that barely makes for a better rental car experience than the standard Corolla. There are scores of superior small wagons and hatches on the market these days. Would anyone honestly buy this over a Mazda3? If you know someone who would say yes, tell them to seek therapy.

So while I can't say I'm sad to see the Matrix go, I am sad Toyota never helped it live up to its full potential.

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One question though: if they get rid of the Matrix, how are they going to make the Pontiac Vibe?

Oh, wait. Nevermind.