As far as the basic Toyota parts go, it has upright bucket seats that, unlike being slung low in the Corolla or Camry, allow the driver to sit erect like in the RAV4, also allowing for exceptionally easy and comfortable entry. Its spacious hatch back rear offers the driver a lot of space and flexibility as the rear seats fold down, revealing a hard plastic back that’s useful for even the most heavy duty jobs. The car rides low, not jacked up high like the RAV4, giving it impressive maneuverability, a low center of gravity, and a sneaky sense of humor as it glides through traffic. The compact size and nature of the car, belied by its cargo room, also create a city ready vehicle that can navigate narrow streets, park in a cramped spot, and squeeze past anything in its way.

Under the hood, the Toyota parts are sure to impress. With a four cylinder engine that can blast through a straightaway and a sturdy, reliable Toyota construction, the Matrix starts with a solid base and builds on it, making it easy to underestimate but very, very hard to beat.

Matrix comes standard with eye catching features like race car-like gauges and driver’s dash, lit up in red and white lights. There are more Toyota accessories that can give the Matrix more of a race car-like interior, from aerodynamic headlights that have multi-reflector halogens inside of them to pedal and shifter options in stainless steel that look like they’re ready for the Grand Prix. Add in alloy wheels, a power tilt sunroof, and color-keyed spoilers and the Toyota accessories you choose can make this into a hot car.

But why stop there when you can continue to customize the car? You can choose to add rain guards, mud flaps, and a variety of customizations for the cargo space, from a cargo net to stretch across the back to a nylon rip stop organizer that can fit snugly into the space and prevent your belongings from rolling around unbidden. You can then add in specialized all-weather mats to protect your foot wells and even a rubber bumper scratch guard for the hatch back opening. With so many Toyota accessories to choose from, who could ever decide?

Toyota accessories know that you have a playful heart, as well. Options are available like a built-in ski and snowboard rack for the top of your car, and a full MP3 or iPod integration kit so that you can pump your personal play lists through the car’s impressive and effective speaker system.

Perhaps, then, what makes the Toyota Matrix so distinctive is not just its singular and hard-to-define presence in the Toyota family but its ability to start with a reliable base of solid Toyota parts and build on that with completely customizable features and the ability to tailor your Toyota accessories to your personal preferences. After all, that means that your car will be as special and one-of-a-kind as you are, and you’ll always feel like this powerful machine is your very own car.