Just noticed what an attractive small suv the Matrix is.

Hmm, matter of opinion surely?!.

I have looked at them in the past with bangernomics in mind, and while i don't mind an ugly car (IMO) if it has some attributes, the Hyundai just doesn't have enough. For the money you'd pay for a Matrix (unless very cheap), you could get a Ford Fusion or C-Max, a Nissan Note, or various other better cars.

Also, the diesel is apparently horrible, a very noisy and wheezy 1.5 3 cyl (not sure about reliability), so unless doing high miles, i'd definately swerve that. If i had to get one, i'd go for the 1.6 or 1.8 auto.

Isn't the Matrix that one where the man designing the rear end didn't meet the rest of the team until far too late in the process (as with the Citroen C2)?

More that the man designing the front and the rear, didn't meet the man doing the middle Avant ;-)

petrolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Hyundai-...g

I do spend a bit of time mulling over what i'd go for were we to ditch the Motability car and get something cheap and used instead. Something a bit taller that a standard hatch, automatic, not too wide, and (generally) reliable. So the Matrix has certainly been looked at, but as i said earlier there are many other cars which i'd go for over the Matrix for various reasons (and not just its 'unusual' looks!).