All-New 2003 Toyota Matrix to Deliver Value-Driven Affordability

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the all-new Matrix crossover utility vehicle (CUV) today during a press conference at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The revolutionary Matrix CUV is unlike any other vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Matrix is the result of listening to the wants and needs of young new-car buyers. It combines the style and performance of a sports car, the functionality of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and the value and affordability of a subcompact sedan.

Matrix styling is biased toward sport while maintaining the image and reality of true utility. Its ``edge-web'' detailing integrates sharp surface edges with rounded web-like contours to create strong, flowing character lines.

Matrix is designed to offer the kind of interior function and flexibility consumers have come to expect in a sport utility vehicle. It features ample room for five passengers, a wealth of storage space, front passenger and rear seats that fold flat and surprising convertibility.

A new cargo-floor track system was developed especially for Matrix. The system is the basis for a wide variety of accessory possibilities, designed to adapt to, and accommodate, specific active lifestyles. Which is the essential point of Matrix. Active, adaptable, accommodating, and most important, affordable.

Matrix will be offered in three grade levels, Standard, XR, and XRS, each with a distinctive level of utility and performance. Buyers of the Standard and XR grades will be offered a choice of either front-, or full-time four-wheel drive systems.

The Standard and XR grades are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota's variable valve timing (VVT-i), and EPA-certified as an ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV). The engine delivers 130 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm on front-wheel drive models. Four-wheel drive models will produce 123 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 118 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm. The four-wheel-drive model will be EPA-certified as a low emission vehicle (LEV).

Fuel efficiency is excellent with front-wheel drive models equipped with a five-speed manual transmission delivering a city/highway preliminary EPA-estimate of 29/35 mpg. Front-wheel drive models equipped with a four-speed electronically controlled transmission will deliver 27/32 mpg. Four-wheel drive models are equipped exclusively with the four-speed automatic and deliver 25/30 mpg.

The Matrix XRS will be equipped exclusively with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing with lift (VVTL-i) and a six-speed manual transmission. Engine output is 180 horsepower @ 7,600 rpm and 130 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6,800 rpm. The high output engine is also stingy with fuel, with a preliminary EPA city/highway estimate of 24/29 mpg. The XRS grade is TLEV-certified by the EPA.

The value-driven Standard grade Matrix features an abundance of amenities including air conditioning with a clean air filter, 60/40 split rear seat, tilt steering wheel, Optitron gauges, AM/FM/CD with four speakers, intermittent wipers, aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlights, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, styled steel wheels with wheel covers, heavy duty rear window defogger, two 12-volt power outlets, tonneau cover, daytime running lights with automatic control, and two-piece rear cargo nets.

All of this standard equipment is matched with very affordable prices. The front-wheel-drive Standard grade with a five-speed manual transmission starts at $14,670. The front-wheel-drive Standard with an automatic transmission begins at $15,470. The four-wheel-drive automatic Standard is priced at $17,115.

The Matrix XR grade offers an array of additional standard features including power door locks, keyless entry, power windows, variable intermittent wipers, power color-keyed outside mirrors, rear window wiper, side rocker panels, sport steering wheel, vertical seat height adjuster, and one 115 volt and two 12 volt power outlets.

The Matrix XR front-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission is base priced at $16,180. The front-wheel-drive XR with an automatic transmission starts at $16,980. A four-wheel-drive automatic XR begins at $18,445.

Even more standard equipment is packed into the Matrix XRS grade including cruise control, anti-lock brakes, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, front and rear underbody spoiler, fog lights, and an AM/FM/cassette/CD with six speakers. Base MSRP for the XRS ranges from $18,750 for the six-speed manual transmission to $19,330 for the four-speed automatic.

Matrix will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, in Cambridge, Ontario, and will arrive at Toyota dealerships in early February.