Features Comparison: Toyota Solara vs. Toyota Matrix
Model Year
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006--2006-2006-
2006--2006-2006-
2006--2006-2006-
Model
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Matrix
Matrix
Matrix
Trim
SE
SE V6
SE Sport
SE Sport V6
SLE
SLE V6
Standard
XR
XRS
Engines
2.4L I4 DOHC-4v 155 hp@6000 158 lb-ft@4000
3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5600 220 lb-ft@3600
1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 139 hp@6100 126 lb-ft@3900
1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 118 hp@6000 116 lb-ft@4200
1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 164 hp@7600 126 lb-ft@4400
Transmissions
5-speed manual
5-speed manually-shiftable automatic
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Drivetrains
FWD
AWD
Tires
215/60VR16 tires
215/55VR17 tires
205/55R16 tires
215/50R17 tires
Audio Systems
Unbranded, 6 speakers
JBL, 270W, 8 speakers
Unbranded, 4 speakers
JBL, 7 speakers (with subwoofer)
Unbranded, 6 speakers
Accessories
AC power outletPowers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.
Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.
Cruise control
First-aid kit
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Roadside emergency kit
Tilt steering wheel, manual
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.
Rear disc brakes.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.
Mandatory, in all cars.
Front side airbagsTorso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.
Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management
Cargo area rails w/tie downs
Cargo cover
Cargo mat
Cargo net
Console with shifter
Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.
Usually part of an overhead console.
Climate Control
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Heavy-duty heater
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Intermittent wipers
Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Exterior
Body kitSide skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sport front fascia (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Sport rear fascia, e.g. diffuser (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Sunroof
Infotainment
Audio controls on steering wheel
Cassette player
CD changer, in-dashIncludes CD player.
Includes CD player.
CD player
Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.
Screen-based navigation system.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors
Auto-dimming driver-side mirrorDriver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic headlightsHeadlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Illuminated visor mirror, driverIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Illuminated visor mirror, passengerIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
TachometerReports engine speed.
Reports engine speed.
Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Visor mirror, driver
Visor mirror, passenger
Seats and Interior Trim
Front buckets
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
Center armrest(s), front row
Floor mats
Folding passenger seatFor carrying long items. Possibly also useful as a work surface.
For carrying long items. Possibly also useful as a work surface.
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual height adjuster, driver seat
Manual tilt adjuster, driver seatManually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Metal pedals
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seatPower-adjustable lower back support.
Power-adjustable lower back support.
Power recliner, driver seat
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
Alloy wheels
Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Transmission
Transmission coolerOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
The Toyota Solara SLE is much better equipped than the Pontiac G6 GT. The Toyota has heated leather seats, automatic climate control, HID projector low beams and a 6-disc MP3/WMA-compatible CD changer.
see full Toyota Solara review
Only convertible in my price range with a trunk that will fit three sets of golf clubs, and a back seat that will fit two adults with the top up or down.
see full Toyota Solara review
2006
2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Good choice of options. LOTS of storage compartments for odd bits and pieces. I particularly like the adjustable HEIGHT drivers seat.
see full Toyota Matrix review
2006--2006-2006- Toyota Matrix Available Features: Cons
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006 Toyota Solara
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006--2006-2006- Toyota Matrix
4-speed automatic FWD
4-speed automatic FWD