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After seeing the Matrix in photographs, the first thing that strikes everyone is how small the car is in person. That's not surprising as the car is actually 8 inches shorter than a Toyota Corolla yet it is 3 inches taller. It has the same wheelbase, but a wider track.

These dimensions give the Matrix a unique stance with very different proportions from the Corolla. In many ways its looks are close to that of the Ford Focus hatchback, which is slightly smaller. It is also similar in size to the Chrysler PT Cruiser, although the Matrix has slightly less interior storage capacity due to a lower roofline.

And it's mainly the roofline that attracts one's attention. In a reverse wedge shape, the roof slopes down at the back while the belt line along the lower edge of the side windows slopes up creating a sleek wedge shape to the windows.

The tailgate opens up just as in an SUV or minivan, but the frameless window can be opened separately for quick access.

The front of the car has a purposeful looking nose with a relatively high hood line accentuated by a big grille. Engine cooling is also achieved through a large aperture under the front bumper which features two small foglights.

A wide track, along with generous tires fill the wheel wells nicely, helping give the Toyota Matrix an aggressive look. All in all it's a car that looks substantial despite its relatively small size.

> all Matrix pictures

One of the features people like about driving or riding in an SUV or a minivan is the enhanced view of the world offered by a higher ride height. While it is obviously difficult to achieve anywhere near the same height in a small car, one does get a similar feel in the Toyota Matrix as the seating is fairly upright, providing the driver and passengers with a more commanding view.

The driver will find that the cockpit is unlike that of other Toyota cars. Four pods in front of the steering-wheel house deeply set gauges. The gauges glow red at all times, even during the daytime, as insufficient ambient light reaches them. Chrome rims accentuate each pod and fake brushed aluminum trim is used to surround switches on the dashboard and door panels.

The combined radio and CD player, standard even on the base model, is located directly to the right of the instrument pods, while the heating and ventilation controls are immediately below. If the radio buttons and the general un-Toyota appearance of the trim seems familiar that's because the interior is all but identical to the Pontiac Vibe, even down to the American Delco radio.

The gearshift is also right there, a few inches away from the steering-wheel. It's conveniently located more than a foot off the floor in a position that's become fashionable in high-performance rally cars, such as the Subaru WRX, and it is used in the Lexus RX300.

Behind the front seats is where the Toyota Matrix really shines. The rear seat is split 60/40 and folds down easily to provide a completely flat floor that is finished in a hard ribbed plastic. It comes with four slots that contain movable hooks that can be used to tie down goods. There are also several other tie-downs positioned along the sides. Storage compartments and cargo nets provide owners with maximum utility. All of this makes the interior as versatile as any station wagon and better than most SUVs. Even the front passenger seat can be folded down to provide another flat surface for storage, albeit at a higher level than the rest of the floor.

Thanks to the high roofline there is plenty of headroom, so tall drivers and passengers will be comfortable. Shorter passengers sitting in the rear seats might find the view slightly claustrophobic due to the small side windows, however.

One cool feature, which is standard on all but the base model, is a 115-volt power outlet located in the front dashboard alongside a regular 12-volt outlet. This is a great addition for all those people who like to power a laptop computer, TV, hairdryer or even a small refrigerator.