2009-14 Toyota Matrix Review

The Matrix is a hatchback version of the Corolla and a competitor to the Honda Fit

The sporty looking exterior is a bit misleading...

The second generation Toyota Matrix was introduced for the 2009 model year. The Matrix is truly a Canadian/ Japanese car as all Matrix's are manufactured in Ontario, Canada. The Matrix is only sold in North America, but as of 2013 it is no longer offered in the USA. It is essentially the hatchback version of the Corolla but they changed the name so people wouldn't think it was the same as the relatively plain Corolla. Toyota also had a deal with GM for a short period and when Pontiac was still a car company they sold the Matrix as the Pontiac Vibe. The Matrix is another one of those small cars that is supposed to try to be a great car for just about everyone, which works against it a bit. 

Lets take a look:

Different Styles:

The Toyota Matrix is only available as a 5 door tall hatchback. It is based off the previous generation Toyota Corolla ( 2008-13). It is offered with either a 1.8L 4 cylinder engine with a 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto transmission, and a 2.4L engine with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed auto. Something that sets the Matrix apart from other compact hatchbacks is the availability of AWD on the 2.4L engine. It also has a number of different wheel sizes. In 2013 along with its halt in sales for the USA, the 2.4L engine is dropped as well as the AWD option. 

Styling and Comfort Impressions:

This is a relatively large compact hatchback, and it is quite tall as well; which have its advantages and disadvantages. It has a sporty exterior design, and when you get up to the S trim package it looks very nice. The wheel styles and sizes work well with the car. It has sporty lines and all the edges and even the windows help make it look sporty. Also, the windows are a good size so visibility is decent in every direction except the back quarters, where they took out the previous generation Matrix's extra window and put an extra think support pillar, not cool Toyota... Overall, I like the look of the outside of the Matrix. 

Going to the inside, lets start with the good parts. The front seats are great. Due to the high roof-line and the ability to jack up the driver's seat a lot, you can almost get a SUV like sitting position. Overall the seats are decently supportive front and back. If the Matrix had a bit more sporty performance the seats should then be more supportive but with the dropping of the larger engine its not a problem. There is plenty of room in the back as well once again due to the high roof-line and the fact that this is a larger compact car. Visibility is great in most directions ( aided by the front seat) including a large rear window and rear seat head restraints that are not quite as large as competitors. 

lets take a look inside:

Now for some bad news, that you can probably tell from the pictures. The front dash is pathetic looking. Lots of hard grey and black plastic, in every trim. It looks and feels very cheap on the inside. ( like the 2009-14 Honda Fit) Another weird thing is the placement of the shifter. For the auto its fine, but its a little too high and a bit too much of a reach for the manual. That's it, its just plain and cheap inside. I'm assuming they will be making a redesign in the next year and that is why it looks this old right now. On a positive note, the dash is very easy to use as everything has large knobs or buttons. 

Finally the cargo area. The Matrix makes up some points here as it is very practical. Due to the car being a good size and relatively tall it has a large cargo capacity. The cargo floor as well as the rear seat backs is covered with a tough plastic with sliding rubber strips that allows for large heavy objects to be moved around in it without damaging it. It also means its very easy to clean and the rear seats fold completely flat.

Driving Impressions:

I'm not going to lie, this car is extremely boring to drive. The same feeling happens in this car as when you go to a go-kart track and then realize the karts are speed-limited so you can never really push it. The difference here is the car isn't necessarily limited, but it rather just doesn't have a lot to give. It looks cool and sporty on the outside, boring and cheap on the inside, so you might think they kept that interior budget and saved it for great performance, but they didn't. Because they only have the 1.8L engine left that means it doesn't really have enough power to back up the outside looks. It also only has either the 5 speed manual or the 4 speed auto ( without a shift gate) so it feels like it is missing or needing a gear or two. The reason why they did this was most likely to keep costs down and keep reliability up; those 4 speed autos are hard to kill. So to list it out:

• slow acceleration
• rough and loud engine under acceleration
• loud engine at highways speeds
• lots of road and wind noise on highway due to tall boxy design
• runs out of steam on highway

A nice point for the Matrix is because it has a relatively wide base it does feel quite solid going around corners and changing direction. Unfortunately it doesn't have the best turning radius due to its older design and larger size. It is also pretty smooth ( not during hard acceleration). Basically just like most Toyota's this car does everything its supposed to do, and that's it. 

Overall:

Why did Toyota take away the 2.4L engine with the optional AWD? That car could be fun. This Matrix is just like all the previous Corollas that its based on, it does everything its supposed to, but its just so boring. It looks good on the outside. It is comfortable but very boring and cheap looking on the inside. The drive is under powered but comfy at the same time. If you are just looking for a reliable car that can do just about everything for you, and you don't care how it looks on the inside and how un-fun it is to drive, the Matrix is the car to have. If you want it to do even more for you and be slightly more fun, look for a 2009-13 one with the 2.4L engine and/or AWD. (note: those with the 2.4L engine do not get the best fuel economy, especially with AWD). If I could choose between the Honda Fit and the Matrix I would go with the Fit as it seems to want to perform a little past what its limits are, the Matrix on the other hand will not.

Facts / Figures:

Price ( for mid trim level): $24,000+

FWD ( pre 2013 AWD optional)

MPG (approx*): 1.8L: 24 city, 32 highway. 2.4L FWD(AWD): 21 (19)city, 29 (26)highway

Cargo room (approx*): 20/49 CuFt

Length: 172''

Width: 70''

Tank Size (gal): 13.2

Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 1.8L: 370. 2.4L (FWD):330 (AWD):290

Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $11,000+ 

* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic. 

Links:
Toyota Canada

( not sold new in the USA anymore)

Enjoy!

J.K.