Toyota is the Asics of the automotive world: a company loved by its owners for making quality products with a clear mission. Both companies take a conservative approach to product development. Instead of reinventing the wheel with each new model, Toyota expands upon the original formula by incorporating relevant new technology.

The Toyota Corolla has enjoyed tremendous success since its introduction almost four decades back, because it comes as close as anything on the market to being the perfect small car. It's simple, user friendly, safe, affordable and remarkably ergonomic. The five-door Corolla, called the Matrix, builds on that formula by adding the versatility of a hatchback with a bigger cargo area.

The second-generation Matrix debuts for the 2009 model year, available in three grades: Standard, S and XRS. The test car is the upscale XRS with front-wheel drive. The best-selling S grade also comes as an all-wheel drive model.

Low operating costs

Toyota understands that Matrix buyers don't want to break the bank. Pricing on the base grade begins at $16,190. The XRS test car starts at $20,660. There are two available four-cylinder engines that have enough power to satisfy the average driver.

Both yield better than average fuel economy: about 28 miles per gallon for the 1.8-liter engine on the base model, and 24 on the larger 2.4-liter block in the test car. Engineers used variable valve timing to enhance power without sacrificing fuel economy. They also minimized friction from moving parts within the engines to reduce parasitic power loss.

The Matrix is a relatively light car: curb weight ranges from 2865 to 3360 pounds, depending on the model. The positive power to weight ratio produces good acceleration out of compact engines. Performance in the critical twenty-to-fifty mile-per-hour range is excellent: drivers should have no problems merging into high-speed traffic.

Three transmission choices

Buyers can opt for a five-speed manual, four or five-speed automatic transmission. While the manual transmission gets better fuel economy, urban commuters should consider the automatic. In order to put a dead pedal in the car, engineers had to position the clutch further to the right than it really should be. It puts the driver's body at an odd position relative to the steering wheel. Ditto for the brake pedal.

The shift lever is on the center stack rather than the floor, keeping the center console uncluttered, and opening up more room for storage. The lever is longer than it needs to be, but shifting is crisp and fluid with no obvious gear lash.

Maneuverable and stable at all speeds

Eighteen inch wheels are standard on the XRS: the base and S models get sixteen and seventeen-inch rims respectively. The Corolla has a fairly soft independent suspension, despite the addition of front and rear stabilizer bars. The large wheels give it a wider footprint that is especially noticeable when cornering at speed.

All models come with four-wheel disc brakes and four-channel ABS. While I didn't have the chance to drive the car in wet weather, I found the braking to be firm and linear but not grabby. All-season radial tires are standard on all models.

Visibility is good to the front and sides of the car. A thick rear pillar creates unnecessarily large blind spots in the rear corners. The rear glass is smaller than it should be. Standard front and rear wipers keep the glass clean in rainy or snowy weather.

Comfortable, versatile interior

The standard cloth upholstery on the Matrix is attractive and easy to clean: a boon for active buyers who like to play hard and get dirty. The manual seat adjustments are adequate, though there's no separate lumbar adjustment.

The second-row seats are surprisingly spacious, with ample leg, head and shoulder room. Because the car is front-wheel drive, there's no transmission tunnel in back. Three adults should be comfortable on short drives.

There are plenty of bins and cubbies in the passenger compartment for stashing cell phones, PDAs, compact discs and maps. All four doors have molded bottle holders, and there are additional cupholders on the floor console. A two-piece bin under the center armrest holds small electronic devices on top, and compact discs below. There are two power points on the center stack for charging 12-volt and 115-volt electronic devices.

A display in the center stack has audio system information. The test car has optional XM satellite radio: part of an audio upgrade that also includes a JBL sound system, MP3 jack and redundant steering wheel controls ($1010). I wasn't overwhelmed by the quality of the sound system, but the MP3 compatibility, satellite radio and steering wheel controls make the option worth considering.

Gauges are easy to read. They include a speedometer, tachometer, fuel and engine temperature indicators, a trip meter, odometer and ambient temperature indicator. The clock is behind the shift lever. It's a little hard to find at first, but not difficult to read.

The cargo floor is an easy-to-clean vinyl, with tie-down hooks for larger items. Folding the rear seats down is a one step operation: a pull-tab on the outside seatbacks folds them flat, without removing the headrests. With the cargo floor extended, a road bike can easily fit in back.

The undersized spare and jack are stowed under the cargo floor. The compact spare keeps overall vehicle weight to a minimum. Because the Matrix is a small car, it should be adequate for getting a driver from the side of the highway to a repair shop.

Small details make a big difference

Toyota is the master of considering small details that make a big difference to the customer. The location of the VIN on the Matrix is a good example. Usually the number is in the bottom of the front windshield. But with car and identity theft on the rise, engineers moved it to a less obvious location: on the lip of the tailgate.

The glovebox is one of the biggest I've seen. It has a separate shelf for the owner's manual and registration documents, leaving the larger area open for a purse or a small pack. It's a handy place to stash valuables at the trailhead, especially in a car with an exposed cargo area.

Standard safety

All models come with standard front, side and rear curtain airbags, as well as antilock brakes. Vehicle stability control is standard on the XRS grade, with an on/off switch for off-road driving.

The 2009 Matrix is currently rolling into dealerships nationwide.

2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix XRS

Likes: A versatile, fuel efficient car with plenty of cargo space for buyers with active lifestyles. The XRS model is peppy and fun to drive. The eighteen-inch wheels improve the car's cornering, especially at higher speeds.

Dislikes: Rear window is too small, due to the thick rear pillars. Roof rails are not available as a factory option.

Quick facts:

Make: Toyota
Model: Corolla Matrix XRS
Year: 2009
Base price: $20,660
As tested: $23,370
Horsepower: 158 Hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 162 lbs.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: N/A
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Off-road: No
Towing: No
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: N/A
Fuel economy: 21/28 mpg, city/highway
Comments: Base price does not include a $660 destination charge.

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