Friday Fleet Notes: 4.25.08

This Friday's fleet notes come packed with insightful takes on the Saturn Astra, Infiniti EX35, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic EX-L, and Toyota Matrix XRS. Our staff had plenty to say, both good and bad, about the vehicles, so be sure to check out their posts, then link to the expert reviews after the jump.

2008 Saturn Astra

• This was a bummer for me. I was soooo looking forward to driving this car, but when I got behind the wheel I was again greeted by anemic acceleration. However, unlike the Corolla, the Astra XR is supposed to be a fun-to-drive machine. I did not experience much fun. It handled well but felt heavy. The automatic transmission was a dog, and do I need to mention the controls? A fellow reviewer called them hieroglyphics because the symbols are so hard to translate. There’s no USB or AUX-in capability either, not even as an option. Eegads. It was nice-looking, though, I’ll give it that. — David Thomas, senior editor

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

For 2009, Toyota redesigned not only the Corolla, its popular compact, but also the Matrix hatchback with which Corolla shares a platform. The Matrix delivers a lot more utility than the Corolla, but the new 2009 update enters a marketplace with a lot of new competition. Kelsey Mays walks us around the new Matrix and tries to figure out how well it stacks up.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix Quick Drive

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Toyota Matrix

It’s not all about the Honda Pilot this week. In fact, another all-new-for-2009 model recently graced our test fleet — the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Kelsey Mays spent some significant seat time in the hatchback. We won’t ruin the plot, but the key seems to be all about “bang for the buck.” See if the Matrix passes that test.

2009 Toyota Matrix Expert Review

Recall Alert: 2003-04 Toyota Corolla, Matrix

Toyota is recalling 539,500 2003 and 2004 Corolla and Matrix cars equipped with power windows. The bolts in the power window system can loosen and cause the window to shatter. 

There have been 143 incidents that led to broken windows, so this is not an isolated case. Toyota says there has been one minor accident and 15 injuries directly related to the defect. A notice will go out to owners later this month. Dealers will replace both front window bolts at no charge. 

The company says owners with these loose bolts will hear an abnormal noise from either window when they’re being operated. For more information, concerned owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331.

Toyota recalling Corolla, Matrix cars because of power windows (Chicago Tribune)

Toyota Prices New 2009 Corolla and Matrix

The redesigned Corolla and Matrix will arrive at dealerships next month, and today we learn more about how much each of the new models will cost. The range for the Corolla will be $15,250 to $19,950, and the Matrix will range from $16,190 to $21,850. The base 2009 Corolla will cost $845 more than the 2008 base model. Toyota has changed the base CE trim level to a “Standard” trim level for 2009, just to help confuse things some.

The Matrix’s starting price of $16,190 is $680 more than the outgoing 2008’s $15,510. None of the prices include a $650 destination charge. A full breakdown of trim-level pricing is below, as is where you can find more information, photos and specs of the new models.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

One important model that consumers will get their first look at during the L.A. auto show is the all-new Toyota Matrix. Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen gives us a quick run-through of what’s changed for 2009.

Up Close With the 2009 Toyota Matrix

The new Toyota Corolla and Matrix are making their consumer auto show debut here in L.A., and that means this is the first chance we've had to take a closer look at them.

• As a small hatchback, the Matrix's interior was fairly roomy, and the one-hand-droppable second row was a nice touch. Legroom in the backseat was reasonable, and the trunk/hatch space was decent. I sat in the XRS "prototype," and I liked its aggressive feel inside and out.
  
  As the dad of a soon-to-be teen driver, I might feel more comfortable letting my son drive the revamped Corolla (or, more likely, a 2003 Corolla); I'd be a little worried with him behind the wheel of the Matrix XRS' five-speed manual with the 158-hp engine. Yeah, it's a Toyota, but I can already smell the burnt rubber. — Patrick Olsen, 12:05 p.m.

Related
More from the 2007 LA Auto Show
2009 Toyota Matrix

2009 Toyota Matrix

• Competes with: Mazda3, Dodge Caliber, Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Astra
• Looks like: A demonic little hatchback
• Drivetrain: 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder or 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: February 2008

While not nearly as important as the Corolla, the Matrix is still a part of the Toyota family, and it too gets an all-new design for 2009. We’re a bit surprised the Matrix is as aggressively styled as it is, though that’s not a bad thing. With its sloping roofline and sharp looks, it could really compete with the Mazda3 and Saturn Astra. 

Based on the new Corolla’s platform, which also underpins the 2008 Scion xB, the Matrix is significantly improved. If it handles anything like the Scion xB, we’ll be impressed.

Power is the same two engines as the new Corolla. Power for Standard and S trims is rated at 132 hp from a revised version of the previous four-cylinder engine, with mileage figures of 26/32 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 25/31 for the automatic. A performance XRS trim level will reappear for 2009 with the same 158-hp four-cylinder found in the Scion tC and xB. It gets 21/29 mpg in this application and is only mated to a five-speed automatic.

All-wheel drive will be an available option on the S trim level. More photos are below. Feel free to tell us what you think of the new Matrix. 

New Toyota Corolla and Matrix Debut Today

Update: 1:31 p.m. CST Check out the all-new Corolla and Matrix and let us know what you think.

Later today — lunchtime for most of the country, brunchtime for the West Coast — Toyota will drop the veil on the redesigned 2009 Corolla and 2009 Matrix at the SEMA specialty show in Las Vegas. We’ll be posting all the information we can gather as well as photos as quickly as possible. Make sure to check back in.

Toyota to Unveil New 2009 Corolla, Matrix in Vegas

The importance of the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, which focuses on the automotive aftermarket, has grown in recent years, as Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota have all used the event to launch new vehicles and concepts. This year, Toyota is upping the ante with plans to unveil its redesigned 2009 Corolla there on Oct. 31.

The Corolla has aged well up to now and is still one of the best-selling cars in the country. However, it certainly deserves this redesign. Toyota also announced today it will roll out the 2009 Matrix at SEMA. The mini-ute/wagon/hatchback shares an assembly line with the Pontiac Vibe, which will also get a new design this year, though we’re unsure at which show GM will roll it out. 

We’ll have more information on the new Corolla and Matrix as Halloween approaches.

Related
Toyota's Next Matrix More Powerful, New Name Possible (KickingTires)
GM Speeding 2009 Pontiac Vibe to Production (KickingTires)