Prius vs. Matix vs. Tahoe (yes, really)

Toyota should make should make a Matrix six speed auto with the 1.8 engine. It would be good for those who want a Corolla wagon for more carrying space and don't want to jump all the way to a Prius. With that powertrain, EPA MPG of something around 25 city 35 highway should be very doable when a Malibu 2.4, 6 speed auto gets 33 MPG highway rating from the EPA.

 

You have love a BMW CIC,
We have a 2000 323 CIC for our play car, my problem is remembering sunscreen for my forehead LOL

 

I think it's a matter of GM doing a better job of optimizing for the EPA test cycle and having a really tall top gear to do well in the highway tests. That gives their marketing people the ability to make all sorts of claims based on high highway numbers (yet they end up having so/so or poor city numbers and combined mileage figures that aren't particularly special).

Here's what Consumer Reports got in their testing:
2009 Vibe (twin of the Matrix) 1.8L 4 4AT: 21/36, 29 mpg overall, 34 mpg for 150 mile trip
2009 Malibu 2.4L 6AT: 16/38, 25 mpg overall, 32 mpg for 150 mile trip

Here are the EPA numbers:
2010 Malibu 2.4L 6AT: 22/33, 26 combined
2010 Matrix 1.8L 4AT: 25/31, 28 combined
2009 Vibe 1.8L 4AT: 26/31, 28 combined

 

It isn't just GM. Toyota and others also have bigger cars with similar or better highway mileage as a Matrix 1.8.
It's time to get rid of the 4 speed automatic in this day and age. You can always take it out of overdrive for driving through rolling hills or Toyota can use some grade-logic in the transmission computer to prevent gear hunting with the low torque engine.

 

keep the prius for every day
keep the tahoe for when california slides into the ocean