Ive been searching online for a bit including the spec sheets and havent found exactly the information Im seeking though Ive snippets. Im considering a 2010 Prius 4. I had als obeen considering the Matrix 2.4 AWD version. My concerns are the following- 1)when necessary to put on a burst of speed (as in getting into or out of a space on the highway-either to merge, or move over lanes if needed) how does the Prius do? The torque comparisons etc on paper dont give much info 2) Visibility-blind spots; the rear wiper only gets the top half, there's a split and the lower part of the glass is still streaming-is this something one can learn to work around? 3)Ive seen varied reports on the prius on snow and ice. Im in n nj, and we get some of that. How is its handling in these conditions? 4) cargo space-the matrix specs say 19/61.5 and the prius just 21.5. Im wondering if they just omitted the seats down reading on the prius and if it would approximate the matrix for storage. Insights would be most appreciated thanks W.
Welcome and hope you decide to go to the Prius! It's a sharp car for sure and highly technologically advanced. Enough said for sure...Most all will agree on the efficiency MPG point of view. It's better than any other car of it's size. 1).Pickup as far as getting onto the freeway/interstates, very good and can use PWR mode for an added 30+ HP it does very good. Beats my Honda Civic I traded hands down. 0-60 9.8 Seconds I believe in that mode. Nothing lackluster there.... 2). All cars have some blind spots, there isn't any that I know of that you won't find something less than favorable. There is a lot of discussion about the rear hatch view and I find I see just fine, If you compare from a 4 doorsedan to the Hatchback you will find them comparable. The one thing is the center break does somewhat restrict view in the mid section, BUT, notice the BUT, as many have stated it really works well to stop the HEADLIGHTS blinding you, as it seems to be at the perfect height to stop that. I look at it as a benefit not a detriment. I still can keep a visual on what's going on. Took me about 2 weeks to get comfortable and I am fine with it now for sure. 3). I live in Buffalo and we sure get far more snow than you folks do, I will get snow tires for mine. My Civic was mediocre at best and I had a GEN 1 Prius which handled similarily. I have read and heard on smaller vehicles it's a benefit to have the added snow tires for added traction. I made it through 3 Buffalo winters with my Honda Civic Hybrid so I don't expect that the Prius again, will be any worse if not fair slightly better with the 17" Wheels/Tires since I have version V. 4.) Space is quite good. I don't have any problem and love the added storage it has. Here are some specs, and of course comparing the MATRIX to the Prius is not apples to apples. The cargo space is 21.4 cubic feet with the seats up, and 39.6 with the rear seats folded down. If you need more room, there is an additional 1.98 cubes under the rear floor panel. Hope that helps! And hope you go with the Prius but whatever choice you make best of luck!
I too considered the Matrix, but my daughter couldn't see out the front of the car when riding in the back. That knocked the Matrix out of the running, and should be something to consider if you have kids/passengers that are easily made car sick. The Matrix we test drove was parked right next to a Prius and I saw how much room there was in the back of it. Give one a test drive!!
I'm not a Prius owner yet, but as a former Matrix (2003 model) owner, I thought I'd toss something else out there to consider. The Matrix is a different class of car. It's not a bad car, but it's not quite up to the level of quality that the Prius seems to be, from my admittedly limited experience with it. By the time I got rid of my Matrix after nearly 3 years with it, it was a source of near-constant rattles and squeaks. It was fun to drive, but I didn't find it to be particularly high-quality interior-wise - cheaper plastics used everywhere, etc. It felt like it was aimed at younger people who wouldn't mind such things, where as I'm in my 30s and kind of find constant rattles pretty annoying (and I mean it sounded like there was a box of small metal parts that never quite stopped making sounds, and often got quite loud.) I don't mind the occasional rattle or squeak here and there, I know it's just the way things go in non-luxury cars now, but the Matrix was above and beyond what I could stand. The new model may be completely different, I don't know. All I can say is that my wife's 2003 Accord sedan, priced at only a little bit higher than the Matrix, does not suffer the same terrible rattles and is still a very nice, quiet ride (save for road noise.) I thought the Prius was a notch up from the Accord.
My relative has a 2006 Matrix, I thought it was a piece of crap. The car rattled, lacked power and was noisy. The new car is probably improved, but you get what you pay for. Regardless, please don't get any 4 cylinder car with 4 speed auto. Get it with CVT or a 5 spd and save yourself a lot of headaches. I have a 2008 Legacy that I absolutely hate because the 4 spd is constantly hunting for the right gear!
