Hyundai Matrix
Ratings
2 stars
Summary
Not Recommended. A compact MPV let down by poor practicality and a lacklustre driving experience.
Review
If you're in the market for a basic, no-thrills compact people carrier then the Matrix should be somewhere on your shortlist. But for most people the gawky styling, lack of refinement and poor practicality will knock it out of contention early in the process.
The Matrix's design has never been particularly successful, with the tall windows making it look like a vertically expanded supermini. And the rest of the compact MPV segment has expanded and grown up around it, leaving it looking small and squat.
The interior is very old-school Hyundai - well assembled, but made from cheap feeling materials which lack much in the way of perceived quality. Space is decent for front and rear seat occupants, if not up to the standards of some more recent rivals, and the boot is relatively small.
The driving experience is pretty much as you would expect. Dynamic limits are low, with the front end running out of grip early on wet corners and roundabouts. Not that this is the sort of car you're likely to want to chuck around, of course. The soft suspension settings give a decent ride quality.
Three engines are available. The basic 1.6 litre petrol lacks punch and the more powerful 1.8 litre unit is loud when revved hard, although respectably rapid. Both are better than the truly dreadful 81 bhp 1.5 litre diesel option, which feels completely overwhelmed trying to motivate a car this size.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
2 star
The stepped rise in the side window line and tall construction give the Matrix an ungainly appearance.
Handling
2 star
Safe and predictable - but completely devoid of anything conducive to driving pleasure.
Comfort
3 star
The soft suspension settings give a pliant ride over rougher surfaces and the cabin is reasonably spacious.
Quality & Reliability
2 star
Solidly screwed together, but the interior is filled with cheap, shiny-looking materials and really lacks the quality feeling of rivals.
Performance
2 star
The thrashy base 1.6 litre engine needs to be worked hard and the more powerful 1.8 litre unit suffers from poor fuel economy. But avoid the noisy, underpowered 1.5 litre diesel at all costs.
Roominess
3 star
Not as big inside as more recent compact MPV rivals, and practicality is limited by the fixed rear seat base.
Running Costs
3 star
Cheap servicing and insurance are the upsides, but the petrols suffer from relatively poor fuel economy and all have very steep depreciation.
Value for money
3 star
Hyundai's five-year warranty delivers plenty of reassurance, but with the generous discounts available on some mainstream rivals it's still hard to regard the Matrix as offering particularly good value.
