Toyota Unveils a Sticker Shock With Its New Matrix

When the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe sport-utility wagon twins were launched, the supposition was that Toyota, as it usually does, would charge the premium price.

But Toyota, noted for valuing its name and ability to command top dollar, has sprung a surprise.

The company, it seems, realized such savings from manufacturing its version of the car in Canada (the Pontiac is built near San Jose in a plant jointly owned by Toyota and General Motors Corp.) that it was able this week to publish a manufacturer’s suggested price list that shaves hundreds of dollars off the price for the similarly equipped Pontiac Vibe.

Pontiac, which has three versions of the Vibe--base, all-wheel drive and GT--was first to announce pricing in mid-December. It set a base of $16,900, including a $560 destination charge, for the entry-level model with five-speed manual transmission.

Toyota’s entry-level Matrix with manual transmission and a few pieces of optional equipment that are standard on the Pontiac is $15,435, including a $485 destination charge, according to a price list published Jan. 3.

One thing Toyota doesn’t offer is a roof rack, which is standard on all Pontiac Vibe models. Basic aftermarket racks could add $100 or so to the cost of a Matrix.

Pontiac’s 180-horsepower Vibe GT with six-speed manual starts at $19,900, while Toyota’s version, the Matrix XRS, is $18,930.

And although the all-wheel-drive Vibe is $20,100, the similarly equipped Matrix is $18,930 (there’s also a base model Matrix with all-wheel drive, list price $17,700, that Pontiac doesn’t match).

John O’Dell