A surprisingly good car (Hyundai Matrix)

Member Name: MJohnO

Product:	Hyundai Matrix
Date:	06/07/05 (5735 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well built, cheap to run, amazing warranty, easy to park, good service, good value for money.

Disadvantages: Gearchange not the best.

The MPV market is quite crowded these days - esepcially at the smaller end. Major competitors like the Renault Scenic and the Citroen Picasso seem to have the market sewn up between them, with a few lesser competitors trying to get a nose in. But if you're looking for a good value mini MPV, there is one alternative that's definitely worth a look - the Hyundai Matrix.

To a lot of people, Hyundai fall into the same camp as Skoda. They look like good value for money, but that name's a bit of a put-off.

Well, it's time to put prejudices aside, because here's a newsflash. Hyundais are good - very good!

If you read any motoring magazine they'll tell you that Hyundai have always built reliable, strong cars, but they've always been a bit behind the game when it comes to refinement, especially when compared to their Japanese competitors. But the gap between the two is now closing - fast.

The Matrix is one example of the newer generation of Hyundais, and with it's styling by Italian design house Pininfarina, together with alloy wheels, it looks pretty stunning - especially in red. In fact all of the colours Hyundai offer seem to suit the car.

What you get with the Matrix is a small MPV. It's a bit smaller in overall dimensions than some of its competitors, mainly in terms of length which translates into a smaller boot, but you really appreciate it when you're trying to park - this car is a doddle!

Inside the car feels spacious and there's a good driving position with plenty of adjustability. The controls are well weighted and easy to use, althogh it might take a little while to get used to the indicator and lights stalk being on the right of the steering wheel!

To drive the car is very nice. The 1.6 petrol engine doesn't always sound refined, especially when started from cold, but is responsive and gives all the performance you need, even if you have to work the gearbox a little sometimes to cover the ground. The one link in the chain is the gearbox, which feels a little ponderous, but is not bad enough to seriously damage the driving experience.

There's plenty of interior space, and rear seat legroom, and also more cubby holes and storage areas than you'll probably ever need. The picnic trays behind the front seats are a nice touch and are very strong!

What's it like to live with? Well I've had mine for two and a half years. Not a single thing has gone wrong with it, and not a single bit has fallen off or come loose. The only issue I've had is a slight leak around the rear hatch, which was fixed easily under warranty.

And herein is the piece de resistance of this car - Hyundai's 5 year warranty. This is one of those cases where something looks too good to be true, and it is. The warranty is simple. 5 years, no mileage limit, fully transferrable. Period. No hidden conditions no nasty get out clauses. And if you catch the dealers at the right time, there's a good chance you'll get three years free servicing as well. I got it, and I was glad I did.

So to summarise, two and a half years on I'm still very glad I bought this car. If you want a good value well built mini MPV with a cracking warranty, the Matrix could well be the one for you.

Summary: Good value, excellent warranty, reliable, nice to drive, good use of space.

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