[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Because the Echo, Yaris, and Corolla are oozing that quality feel? They're all very plasticky. And it's not Pontiac's fault. They are way more Toyota than GM. Like 90+%. The new 2008-up Matrix is a big fail. If you drive it back to back with the modern competitors, you'd only buy one if it were 1) way cheaper (doubtful) or 2) you've guzzled the Toyota Kool Aid and buy it for the laurels of the brand, not the car itself. Okay, maybe 3) want all wheel drive and have had four Subarus blow head gaskets so you'll never go there again, but can't afford an Audi A3... or something like that.

If you love Toyota, forget the Matrix and buy a Scion if you need a hatch.

For the rest of us, there are much better cars named here (Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Chev Cruze, VW Golf, Ford Focus, etc)

I would rate the Corolla as boring but decent, I haven't driven the Echo and Yaris. The Matrix/Vibe not only felt cheap, but it was especially boomy inside with the hard plastic cargo area. While I know there's a lot of Toyota made parts content, neither of us know who made the decisions regarding design, material choice, etc.