We love our Matrix. My kids are only 5 & 7, but they have large car seats, one of which is still RF. (So it takes a lot of front to back space.) It will probably be replaced in a couple of years, and we are thinking of a prius or a mazda 3, since they stopped making the matrix. I guess I don't worry much about the space in the backseat for my kids- they seem to be on track to be smaller than average gals. (I am not quite 5 feet tall. I suspect the older one may have more of dad's genes, but he isn't exactly towering, more average, at 5'11" ish.) But there's plenty of space for a road trip, camping gear, etc.