Friday Fleet Notes: 4.25.08

This Friday’s fleet notes come packed with insightful takes on the Saturn Astra, Infiniti EX35, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic EX-L, and Toyota Matrix XRS. Our staff had plenty to say, both good and bad, about the vehicles, so be sure to check out their posts, then link to the expert reviews after the jump.

2008 Saturn Astra

• This was a bummer for me. I was soooo looking forward to driving this car, but when I got behind the wheel I was again greeted by anemic acceleration. However, unlike the Corolla, the Astra XR is supposed to be a fun-to-drive machine. I did not experience much fun. It handled well but felt heavy. The automatic transmission was a dog, and do I need to mention the controls? A fellow reviewer called them hieroglyphics because the symbols are so hard to translate. There’s no USB or AUX-in capability either, not even as an option. Eegads. It was nice-looking, though, I’ll give it that. — David Thomas, senior editor

• I was really surprised by how sporty this crossover was. In some ways I think it’s more fun to drive than the G35 sedan. It has lots of power and a straight-up seating position that I appreciated. Another surprise came after parking behind my own Subaru Outback. The Outback was taller than the EX35. Weird. The complete lack of usable cargo space — my dog couldn’t fit back there — loses me as a potential buyer, though. — David Thomas, senior editor

2009 Toyota Corolla

• There were things I liked about the Corolla. The front end styling is an improvement, though the rear remains plain. The automatic transmission, though it needs more speeds, is relatively refined. There were also disappointments. The steering is numb and heavy. The antilock braking system kicked in once when I wasn’t braking very hard, and the car lurched to the right; this is what ABS is supposed to prevent. The interior quality isn’t a class leader. My friend said it felt like a rental car. Mileage and reliability will take the Corolla a long way in the market, but there’s no doubt some models exceed it in other respects, and they don’t all command the price premium that now seems harder than ever to justify. Overall, it would need to be better to compete today against the likes of the Honda Civic. A few years from now, when the Civic and other competitors are updated, the Corolla could be woefully behind the times. —Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor

• The Civic is a well-executed small car on multiple fronts. It offers a smooth, refined ride, and its light, responsive steering gives the sedan a fair amount of nimbleness on the road. The four-cylinder engine is strong enough, but more importantly it offers good gas mileage — 25/36 mpg city/highway — with the optional automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line EX-L trim I drove had comfy leather seats, and all-around visibility from the driver’s seat is good. Even the backseat is tolerable for adults. Tire noise makes the cabin a little noisy on the highway, but the Civic is still one of the leaders in the small-car segment, if one of the pricier ones. — Mike Hanley, editor

2009 Toyota Matrix S

•   I figured when I got in the Matrix that it would drive a lot like the Scion xB. Not so. The Matrix was much sportier, perhaps because of the XRS trim. I had a blast driving along State Street in downtown Chicago to pick up some invitations after work one day. It weaved through cabs and absent-minded drivers nimbly. The optional sound system was just OK, and I wish it weren’t bundled in every conceivable option package. It seems like a waste of money. I did like the plastic cargo floor with rubberized slats to keep things from sliding. Slick. — David Thomas, senior editor

2008 Honda Civic Expert Review
2008 Infiniti EX35 Expert Review
2008 Saturn Astra Expert Review
2009 Toyota Matrix Expert Review
2009 Toyota Corolla Expert Review