2009 Toyota Matrix Review

66 Responses to “ 2009 Toyota Matrix Review ”

• Michael Karesh :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
  
  

  They went through a lot of trouble to give the Matrix that wacky C-pillar–check out the sliver of a window between it and the hatch.

  The Scion xB is off to a somewhat shaky start based on TrueDelta’s latest results. Owners have been reporting a number minor issues with exterior trim. So even Toyota can’t be counted on for a clean launch these days.

  Will the Matrix do better? If enough people buy these and participate in our research, we’ll know in 4-6 months.

  Details here:

  http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

• AKM :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
  
  

  Not to mention all the other nice vehicles at this price point. Toyota really makes you pay for this perceived reliability, don’t they? Or a price specialist fell asleep and forgot about the Prius and xB you mention…

• Mike Solowiow :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
  
  

  I actually like the styling, its an improvement over the previous-gen Matrix. Any pics on the upcmoing Vibe (or since GM likes to change names, its replacement)?

  If only Toyota could find the “fun to drive” side of the mushroom. Maybe they should ask Honda, or Mazda, or Nissan, or…..

• Frank Williams :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
  
  

  Mike Solowiow
  Any pics on the upcmoing Vibe (or since GM likes to change names, its replacement)?

  Here's Pontiac's offical 09 Vibe site (if you can stand the music and inane Flash animation).

• italianstallion :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
  
  

  Excellent review.

  I really love B-segment wagons and hatches. However, this car is a huge let down.

  The previous generation Matrix/Vibe was a very thrifty and utilitarian alternative to small and midsize SUVS - a rare but desirable commodity in the marketplace (i.e. WAGON). People noticed though - there are a lot of them on the road.

  They were also pretty awkward and cheap looking cars (more so the Matrix than the Vibe). All Toyota had to do was upgrade the interior, fix the seating position, refine the styling and make it a little more fun to drive. They would have had a credible answer (if not a direct competitor) to both the Fit and Mazda3.

  Unfortunately, the new model exacerbates these old problems while sacrificing utility AND fuel economy.

  Indeed, this car is redundant. As another second gen Scion Xb - was one flavor of hideous not enough? Or, as a Prius that’s less efficient and (almost) equally soul-crushing boring to drive?

• HalfMast :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:46 am
  
  

  One slight correction:
  The Vibe and Matrix aren’t made at the same place. The Vibe exclusively comes out of NUMMI in California and the Matrix comes out of Toyota’s Cambridge, Ontario plant. Both locations make Corolla’s as well, so the difference is pretty small, but just to be accurate…

• srh :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
  
  

  I’m not a Toyota guy, but the prospect of an AWD hatchback is enticing.

  Why call the improvement in city mpg over the Scion XB “paltry”? Is the Scion’s 4mpg improvement in city mpg over a full size pickup also “paltry”?

• HalfMast :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
  
  

  As an owner of Matrix (’04 XRS), I feel this need to defend the car. But then I realize several things:
  1. In ‘04, Scion wasn’t born yet and the Prius was a pre-hatchback compact (or had just gone hatchback, don’t recall). The Matrix was the best option for fun, good value, small-car hatchback. Now it’s one of a number of much better options from ToMoCo, not to mention more cross over competitors.
  2. The XRS version made the car worth it as it came with a 6-speed manual and 180 hp engine. Not a sports car, but had the pick-up to make it fun. The new XRS doesn’t have near the upgrade that the old one did.
  3. The ‘09 revisions have been sadly disappointing, as the reviewer’s clearly captured. Nothing like taking a decent car and tweaking it to mediocrity.

  I love my ‘04 Matrix, but my next car’s going to be a Mazda or (maybe) Pontiac.

• RayH :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
  
  

  Nice review. A couple years back ago, when the Chevy HHR was brand new, a lady friend of mine liked it and wanted it (never had driven it). Her dad worked at General Motors, so she would get some type of discount. Well, She ended up at a Pontiac dealer, because she thought the HHR was a Pontiac. She asked to drive the HHR, I guess they gave her a weird face, and brought her a VIBE. She didn’t say anything. During the test drive, the salesman went with her, and explained she was driving a Pontiac, and why it was better ect. A Chevy dealership was down the way and part of their network, so they compared the cars, and she drove the HHR. She basically came to the conclusion the HHR was the biggest piece of sh@t on earth and the Vibe was 3x better (she didn’t know it was a Toyota). When they got back to the Pontiac dealer, she was going through the purchase process and the salesman had to call to get some type of authorization code from her dad. He found out it was the Vibe, and didn’t want her to buy it! He told her it wasn’t actually a General Motors Product, and she told him the HHR was a total POS. He gave in, and she still has the car to this day. He recently retired from Moraine Assembly (where they make Trailblazer/Envoy), and traded in his Trailblazer on a 4Runner.

• allythom :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
  
  

  Very disappointing. I always liked the old Matrix/Vibe for being ‘all the car 90% of people actually NEED’, with its seating for 5 and decent pseudo-wagon trunk space . I guess the Fit fills that hole better (provided you aren’t too tall or corpulent to, erm, fit)

  I’d still recommend a used old model Matrix/Vibe to any of my more frugally-minded, non-gearhead friends though.

• ravuya :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
  
  

  I’m surprised the new Impreza isn’t being suggested as an alternative. It’s certainly much cheaper than the XR AWD, and has a bigger mill with not significantly worse fuel economy.

  The thing that really confuses me about this machine is the advertising — in Canada, at least, the Matrix ads seem to tend towards the Scion market segment.

• crc :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
  
  

  The car may be redundant, have a crap interior, and a terrible transmission, but at least they stuck to their defining qualties. Those being the vehicle’s ride as well as “the usual prospect of excellent mechanical reliability and non-catastrophic resale value”. Was anybody really expecting anything else?

• chanman :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
  
  

  Sounds disappointing. The previous-gen Matrix is probably the most common car used by folks I know.

  The Scion arguement doesn’t hold in some markets, however. The only Scions you’ll see in Canada either belong to Americans, or were imported from the US at some point.

• threeer :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
  
  

  I don’t know, but properly outfitted, a used Vibe is actually a consideration for me. I’m active in Scouting, and the need for utility, even in the face of rising fuel prices, is a prime motivator for my next vehicle purchase. I’m surprised that people didn’t catch the dirty little secret that they could still “buy American” and have Toyota quality at the same time! I’ve no desire for anything approaching Tahoe-esque size, my in-laws work in Detroit (and thus believe that only a GM product will do), yet my immediate family all drive Toyotas! So the Vibe covers both worlds, and would let me haul my tent and other various camping gear with relative ease.

• Justin Berkowitz :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
  
  

  @ threeer:

  I agree about the idea that the packaging is good. I too love hatchbacks like this (in a design sense). This new model is still a bad cargo hauler. The entire cargo area is covered in hard plastic. Not only does it show wear and tear easily and extensively, but stuff slides around with reckless abandon.

  And the transmission is genuinely schizophrenic.

  May I suggest you get the first generation Vibe if you do decide to pull the trigger on one of these vehicles?

• Johnson :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
  
  

  So the interior gets a 1 out 5 stars based on what? I’d like more explanation, such as something meaningful say about the fit and finish. The interior definitely does NOT look like it deserves 1 out of 5.

  Justin Berkowitz:
  The silvery plastic sprinkled throughout the cockpit is just abominable, guaranteed to scuff-up and look like crap in a year.

  This assumption is based on what exactly? This is the same silver plastic trim as in a few other Toyota models, and the same as the previous-gen Matrix. Consumers seem to like it, and go take a look at a used Matrix and you’ll find the silver plastic trim holds up well. I know this because I’ve been inside several used Matrixes.

  Justin Berkowitz:
  the seat backs and cargo area are plastered with “bureaucrat gray” hard plastic, offering less traction than Ron Paul. And how about the scuffs, digs, scrapes, divots, lacerations, and other nasty marks that sliding hard goods will make as they rumba around the cargo area?

  Are you sure you tested the new Matrix and not the old one? The seatbacks and cargo area have anti-slip strips to prevent exactly what you described from happening.

  Justin Berkowitz:
  Folks, this is pretty simple. You can get the same car for less money with the Scion xB. Or you can get more car for the same money in the Toyota Prius. Either way you win. And the Matrix loses.

  Why are you comparing the price of a loaded Matrix to the *base* price of a Prius? The Matrix starts at 16K MSRP, which is A LOT less money than a Prius. As for an xB, it’s fuel economy is worse than the Matrix 1.8L, and not everyone may like the xB’s styling.

  In fact, why are you even comparing the Prius to the Matrix? They’re not in the same class.

  The Matrix is basically a Corolla wagon. Why not compare the Matrix to it’s *actual* competition like the Mazda 3 wagon or the Elantra Touring?

  You made no mention in your review regarding what model (S or XRS) you drove. The title implies it was the base model. You can get the 2.4L engine in both the S and XRS trim. There is also a big difference in sportiness between the S and XRS. All Matrix models with the exception of the XRS and AWD use a torsion beam rear suspension. The XRS and AWD use a double wishbone rear suspension. The XRS you can get in either the 5 speed auto or 5 speed manual, and the AWD comes with a 4 speed auto.

  Reading your review, it sounds like you tested a Matrix S model with the 2.4L/5 speed auto combo. If you’re interested in sportiness, that is the worst model to choose.

  Your review also made no mention of all the standard satefy features and the improved driving position over the previous gen.

  italianstallion:
  I really love B-segment wagons and hatches. However, this car is a huge let down.

  The previous generation Matrix/Vibe was a very thrifty and utilitarian alternative to small and midsize SUVS - a rare but desirable commodity in the marketplace (i.e. WAGON). People noticed though - there are a lot of them on the road.

  They were also pretty awkward and cheap looking cars (more so the Matrix than the Vibe). All Toyota had to do was upgrade the interior, fix the seating position, refine the styling and make it a little more fun to drive. They would have had a credible answer (if not a direct competitor) to both the Fit and Mazda3.

  Unfortunately, the new model exacerbates these old problems while sacrificing utility AND fuel economy.

  Indeed, this car is redundant. As another second gen Scion Xb - was one flavor of hideous not enough? Or, as a Prius that’s less efficient and (almost) equally soul-crushing boring to drive?

  Have you actually driven the new Matrix or are your opinions and assumptions entirely based on this TTAC review?

  FYI, Toyota DID upgrade the interior, which includes things like those anti-slip strips in the cargo area that current Matrix owners were asking for. Toyota actually listening to it’s customers? What a concept. The seating position IS fixed, as there are new front seats and the steering wheel is now tilt/telescope on all models. Again Toyota in this case listened to current Matrix owners and potential owners and made the change. Toyota also improved on the “fun to drive” factor with the AWD and XRS models, that both have double wishbone rear suspension.

  Utility is about the same as the old Matrix, and fuel economy remains roughly the same as well.

• carguy :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
  
  

  Good review - honest and to the point. Even in its final model year, the Mazda3 hatch is superior in every way than this brand new Toyota. Another very average effort from a once great car company.

• Johnson :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
  
  

  carguy:
  Even in its final model year, the Mazda3 hatch is superior in every way than this brand new Toyota. Another very average effort from a once great car company.

  Really? In every way? Just at a glance, the Matrix offers a lower base price, better fuel economy, and better safety features. It also likely offers a more comfortable ride. Not everyone wants the stiff ride of a Mazda 3.

  Make no mistake; Toyota still is a great car company. It would be foolish and ignorant to think otherwise.

• Raskolnikov :
  February 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
  
  

  The Matrix/Vibe's success proves that wagons are not dead. I look forward to the day when I find that perfect 1994-1996 Roadmaster Estate wagon and throw down a hunk of cash on its hood. The ideal family car has come and gone, but its descendants (modern wagons/quasi-wagons) live on!!

• Wulv :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
  
  

  I will still take one if I roll up the rim and win.

  Sorry , sat here with a Timmy’s in my hand and had to say it.

• Justin Berkowitz :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
  
  

  @Johnson:

  I appreciate your thoughtful line-by-line consideration of the review. 800 words can be limiting sometimes, so I would be happy to answer your questions for more info here.

  1. The interior’s silver paint of the car I tested (100 miles) already had scuff marks on it. The spraying or application of the silver paint or veneer, whatever it is, was uneven at a number of seams and it appeared that the undercolor of the plastic was plainly visible.

  2. Yes, I am sure I tested the new Matrix and not the old one. Your inquiry is appreciated, though.

  3. The anti-skid grips on the surface in the back would only help with objects that have large surface area in contact with the strips themselves, such as a large flat box. Otherwise there is not enough friction, no grip etc. My backpack and several shopping backs went vertical even at fairly modest speeds (20 mph around corners).

  4. I felt the comparison to the xB and Prius is fairly simple. The xB is very, very similar for much less money than a Matrix 2.4, which is what was tested.

  5. This was a test of the Matrix S 2.4 automatic. The rating is for that model as well. As such, it is appropriate to compare it to vehicles that cost a comparable amount of money and offer similar setup - i.e. the Prius.

  Any vehicles that cost the same are in the same class, regardless of what manufacturer literature tells you. People shop based on what they can afford and what their approximate needs are (must have large cargo area).

  6. I agree that you have correctly identified the situation in which a Matrix is a good buy over the xB and Prius: you want to spend $17,000, you don’t like the look of the xB, and you want the slight edge in gas mileage of the 1.8.

  7. Finally, I wasn’t interested in sportiness. I was interested in a decent small wagon that is comfortable to drive. The previously mentioned cargo issues, weak interior, noisy engine, hyperactive 5-speed auto transmission, and class trailing body roll were the problems. Finally, the model tested - the 2.4 5/A is a bad value. That is where the Prius/xB comparison is most apt. Perhaps the 1.8 is a more appealing vehicle (it would be far from the first time that TTAC preferred a “lower” trim), but in terms of this car, this is my assessment.

  If you disagree, I’m sure RF would be delighted to accept your 800 word “Take Two” review, which we have done in the past.

• cRaCk hEaD aLLeY :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
  
  

  It’s a Toyota, it’s a Corolla in desguise and it is made exclusively for the North-American market:
  What else did you guys expect it to be? A Lancia Stratos HF hiding underneath ToMoCo econobox skin?
  This car it is perfectly on target for what it is meant to be… my mother in law saw an ad in one of her magazines and already wants one to haul pots and plants from the local garden center. It will sell.

• Mike Solowiow :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
  
  

  Johnson, actually contact Mr. Frank Williams, and I would LOVE to hear your 800 word rebuttal, as unlike Mr. Berkowitz, I like the styling.

  Also, you have inspired me to actually drive the Matrix, so I know for myself.

• BEAT :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
  
  

  $22 Thousand is a lot of money for a small econobox. I don’t like Mazda but I rather buy Mazda 3 for the same performance but better interior design or any other econobox that is cheaper than the Matrix.

  Common Toyota it’s only a Matrix!!!

• threeer :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
  
  

  What were the relative sales of the Matrix compared to the Vibe? I always thought that Pontiac did a poor job of handling this model. Here it had a car with great bones, practicallity and styling that was (at least in some people’s opinion) more mainstream than the Matrix. I’m still debating on my next car, for some reason I keep seeing myself driving a Wrangler with the top off..I do live along the east coast, after all, but the practical side of me still waivers towards something like the Vibe…

• Perkins :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
  
  

  Has anyone tried the 2009 5-speed manual?

  I had a 2003 Vibe and the 5-speed manual. It was nimble (with a tire upgrade), very flexible, and unbelievably cheap to maintain. The interior stood up surprisingly well also. I actually had $900 equity in it at the end of the lease because GM auction prices for used Vibe’s were so good.

  I walked away from it because of the miserable tranny/clutch. Moved into a Mazda 3 and would recommend it to anyone looking for a small, sporty, flexible hauler.

• taxman100 :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
  
  

  The wife and I have been looking at used first generation Vibes as a handy around-town baby hauler.

  The 2nd generation is a let-down - too heavy and too expensive. I know on the Pontiac, the Vibe comes standard with a carpet to cover the rear cargo area - not sure if is velcroed down, or just slides around.

  We’ll have to stick to finding a used one. The problem with a new Vibe is comparably equipped, the price out the door is higher on a Vibe than on a Pontiac Torrent.

• Martin Albright :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
  
  

  I can’t imagine anybody laying down circa $25k for the AWD version when they could get a new or near-new Subaru Outback, Impreza or Forester for the same price or less.

• Steven Lang :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
  
  

  Ras, I’ve got a review of a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon that’s in RF’s hoppper at the moment.

  When it comes to small wagons, I’ve always endorsed the Vibe even to the present day. With $4000 on the hoods of the remaining ones, they probably represent the strongest economical new car value in today’s market.

• psknapp :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
  
  

  I’m going to repeat some defense about the previous version. We have an ‘03 XR with a manual and moonroof (that was only available as part of a package with a better radio and bigger wheels(?)).
  While I do agree that the interior has some cheap plastics (the silver does look worn and has right away) and it too hard in some conspicuous places (the armrests are not restful at all), but for sheer utility at the time, it couldn’t be beat (and I looked). Good fuel economy, @17.5K, decent space, and, with the manual and bigger wheels, pretty fun. Except in the summer, with the A/C then the acceleration went to pot, even with the stick.
  But, if I knew then what I know now, I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

• GS650G :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
  
  

  I drove a 2005 last year and I thought the steering wheel was too far away. It was as if it was plastered to the dash. Is the steering wheel in the same place or did they move it out?

  I thought the car was set up for shorter drivers rather than larger people.

• BobJava :
  February 29th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
  
  

  This car might have a lower MSRP than cars like the Mazda3, but keep in mind that you have to pay for everything with Toyota.

  I was looking at this and the previous gen in the past months for my girlfriend. For many reasons — rigid price at dealer and general repulsive design among others — the 2009 was a swing and a miss. Moreover, the rear hip room in the 2009 is severely compromised, in an already small car.

  2008 model specs 47.80 inches rear hip room

  2009 model specs 43.70 inches rear hip room

  Aside from the previous gen’s build quality, which we assume will continue, the Matrix’s strength is the weakness of like wagons. The Mazda3 wagon can be pricey, and doesn’t allow you the lower-end, more economical engine (2.0 liter). The Subarus are slow, more expensive, and get terrible gas mileage (most people don’t need AWD). The Fit, ironically, might be nice if your fat ass compensates for the painful seats. It’s also slow as molasses after 20mph.

  The xB … you can’t see out of it, and I hate, hate, HATE that 2.4 liter. Inefficient and slow. Honda engines and transmissions put Toyota to shame.

  In the end, the girlfriend ended up with a Sonata GLS with over 4k in incentives — less than 15k out of the door. There are just too many sacrifices for these small wagons, which really is a pity. They each had their own Achilles heal.

• PJungnitsch :
  February 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
  
  

  I’ll be looking hard at the Vibe version when I’m car shopping. A 1.8 with air/auto/PL should be priced below twenty grand CDN before tax.

  I like the fact they added standard ABS/SAB/Stabilitrak and dropped the base price by a grand or so here, those options were close to a thousand each before, if you could find them. Plus the standard tilt/telescope wheel will be a good improvement.

  The previous version had substantial mileage and hauling benefits over a Mazda3, plus a fair bit of increased ground clearance, important for driving in snow or on gravel roads. It will be interesting comparing this new version with the new 2 liter Mazda3 hatch that is coming out next month in Canada.

  Prius isn’t a comparable option here, still ugly as sin plus it starts at 30 grand. No Scions available at all. The present Fit is way too low to the ground for me, Caliber too crude, and can’t get into the looks of the Versa.

• Flipper :
  February 29th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
  
  

  I’m probably in the market for a new car in or about September. I just need an around town car for the 90% of driving that doesn’t require the “becoming older special interest car”. And have narrowed my choices down to the Scion xD , the same 1.8 but with 4 spd auto ,32/26 mpg, and a $15,970 msrp. Or the new Vibe which . . . I’m guessing . . . by then will be for sale at some crazy GM yearend closeout price, and about the same money.

• Geotpf :
  February 29th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
  
  

  Again, the base Matrix costs $16,190, not $22k. This needs to be clarified, because the way the review is written is confusing people.

  The base xB is $16,270, so they are the same price.

• Johnson :
  February 29th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
  
  

  Justin Berkowitz,

  Thank you for your response. I am still interested in hearing how the fit and finish of the interior was. Also I feel body roll and the tranny problems would not be big issues on an XRS manual or a Matrix AWD.

  So it sounds like the anti-skid grips don’t work as well as they should. Hopefully Toyota will fix this.

  Mike Solowiow, I would love to do a review if I can find some time for it. For now, I am simply a commentator.

  GS650G:
  I drove a 2005 last year and I thought the steering wheel was too far away. It was as if it was plastered to the dash. Is the steering wheel in the same place or did they move it out?

  I think the steering might be in a slightly different position. What I do know is that the seating position and the seats themselves have changed, and the steering is now tilt/telescope.

• ZCline :
  February 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
  
  

  I wonder if that new Hyundai wagon will be any good … B&M Shifter guys!

• i6 :
  February 29th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
  
  

  Perkins:

  There is no pleasure in driving the stick on the 2009 model. The clutch feels as dead as a slot machine pull-bar so clutch engagement is as fortuitous as triple sevens, and the shifter is a bit of a reach with the seat all the way back, unlike the steering which is telescoping (to also answer GS650G’s question).

  I drove the base model and all in all it was a very comfortable car that channeled a bit of the spirit of my first car, a bare-bones Tercel wagon.

• i6 :
  February 29th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
  
  

  Justin:

  FYI the Matrix is much better positioned in the Canadian market as there is no Scion brand here, and the base Prius is $29 995 vs. $26 775 for the top Matrix. Thus the base model seems like a good deal compared to the Fit and Versa while the 2.4 matches up nicely against the Mazda 3 and Rabbit.

• David Holzman :
  February 29th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
  
  

  Great review.

  This Matrix is not quite as ugly as the last one.

  If I wanted something in this class I’d get the Fit.

• rpn453 :
  February 29th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
  
  

  I didn’t mind the looks of the previous generation as long as you left that nasty body kit off, but the test drive pulled the plug on any thoughts of actually buying one. Now, it’s uglier and it sounds like it’s no more enjoyable to drive.

• MPLS :
  February 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
  
  

  I felt this was an excellent review. The interior looks more like a Pontiac with acres of cheap black plastic and faux metal accents. Toyota interiors have been backsliding for a couple of years.

  I realy don’t understand why somebody would purchased this vehicle over any number of competitors such as the excellent Mazda3 5 door. Also, you wouldn’t have to pay 23K for the Mazda3 which is actually fun to drive.

• BobJava :
  February 29th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
  
  

  MPLS

  There are a lot of reasons not to buy the Mazda3 5-door.

  One, as I mentioned, you can’t get the smaller engine. This makes no sense to me, as wagon buyers probably want UTILITY not speed.

  Two, its pretty pricey. Granted, as i6 mentioned, the bare bones Matrix is very bare bones (and the early 2009s at the dealerships tend to be the higher end models).

  Three, it hasn’t changed much since it debuted in 2004.

  Four, gas mileage is pretty bad.

  Five, unless you pony up for the side airbags in the Mazda 3, it’s rated as “poor” for side impacts by the IIHS. Matrix has side airbags standard now (finally).

  On a personal note, I found the Mazda 3 had more body roll than I expected for the “sporty” compact offering. It’s very tall but isn’t as wide as something like the Civic.

  This could all be solved if Honda made something equivalent (some sort of Civic 5-door). The Fit, as of the current gen, isn’t going to do it, if you want a degree of comfort. Oh well. One can dream.

• MPLS :
  February 29th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
  
  

  BobJava:

  One, the current Matrix is woefully underpowered with the 1.8 liter. I would not want a Mazda3 with the 2.0 liter Ford, er, I mean Mazda engine because it would be too much of a slow poke especially if hauling any cargo around.

  Two, nicely equipped Mazda 3 will run you about a 19k. This is competitive in its class.

  Three, true for the most part, however a variety of safety features have been added. It is true that some of thse are options.

  Four, the Mazda 3 auto is rate 22/29. The new Matrix with 2.4 liter is I believe 21/29. The base engine Matrix is rate 25/31. An apples to apples comparison shows these vehicles to have similiar MPGs.

  Five, I have noticed much body rolle with the Mazda3. I think it handling is nimble. Difference of opinion or expectations here.

  Also, a Civic 5 door is a great idea!

• rudiger :
  February 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
  
  

  MPLS:The Fit, as of the current gen, isn’t going to do it, if you want a degree of comfort.

  That may change soon, as I believe a new, 2G Honda Fit which addresses that very issue is scheduled to be released for 2009.

• 97escort :
  February 29th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
  
  

  I bought a 2008 Vibe about a month ago and have about 600 miles on it now. I looked at the 2009 Vibe on the Internet and liked the looks better, but GM was offering good deals on the ‘08 IMO. The list price on mine was $20400. I had $800 in GM earnings on my GM card which GM bumped up to $2000. Together with the other loyalty, cash and dealer discounts I paid $14872. I looked at the ‘08 Matrix but the Vibe was cheaper especially if the 16 inch cast wheels and automatic on the Vibe were considered. Thought about the Prius, but I don’t put on enough miles to justify the high price. I would probably never save enough on gas to make up the difference, although I really like the car.

  I don’t really like Vibe styling and think my 97 Escort is better looking. All the plastic skirting tacked on is unattractive but will probable slow down the rust (I’m hoping). I do not like the black interior. It’s like getting into a hole in the ground. My Escort has a tan interior which I think is much more inviting. But the car is solid and I like the way the doors sound. Also like the hatch window that opens separately with the remote.

• BobJava :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
  
  

  MPLS

  You’re right. I despise the engine so much, I sometimes like to think the Toyota 2.4 doesn’t exist. The apples-to-apples is close on the gas mileage. I still contend the 2.0 should be an option on the Mazda3 5-door.

  I haven’t driven the 1.8 on the new one, but I thought it was adequate for the 2008 Matrix, which is all I expect.

  Not to heap too much praise on the Civic, but it’s the only vehicle in this class (even if it doesn’t have a 5-door) that I’d call quick. By the horsepower numbers and engine size, Honda does more with less.

  I won’t be holding my breath on that 5-door Civic — which as we all know isn’t novel by any means. Sometime ago, too many affordable auto makes decided that the public decided wagons weren’t “cool,” and I’ve been resigned to awkwardly stuffing large boxes into the trunks of sedans ever since — trunks which seem to be shrinking, despite the increase in vehicle dimensions. Hence we have Toyota trying too hard to make the Matrix cool, but succeeding only in making it look like an alien spaceship.

  rudiger

  I’m hoping the 2009 Fit delivers as well. The 2008 Fit is fantastic on paper (space, safety, reliability), but the real-life encounter left me sore, literally and figuratively.

• Threader :
  March 1st, 2008 at 12:11 am
  
  

  Quote: “srh :
  February 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am

  I’m not a Toyota guy, but the prospect of an AWD hatchback is enticing.”

  Ever heard of Subaru? Thought you did but keep on drinking that Toyota oh what a feeling Koolaid.

• James2 :
  March 1st, 2008 at 12:48 am
  
  

  If there’s one thing Toyota is really good at, it is designing extremely ugly vehicles.

  I thought Toyota couldn’t do worse than the Echo or Scion xB. It seems that is a premature judgment.

  Memo to Toyota: I read that Pininfarina is in deep financial straits. Hint, hint. There are worse ways to spend a fraction of the profits you’re raking in. Imagine what happens when your products start to look as good as they are, theoretically, reliable. Good design doesn’t cost anymore than bad design.

• casper00 :
  March 1st, 2008 at 12:50 am
  
  

  The new Matrix will never be the same as the first generation Matrix. I remember my uncle had one I think i was a “xrs” model. It came with a 180hp 6-speed manual transmission. It was the same engine that is found in the 2000 up Celica GTS. I’ve always wonder why toyota gave that engine up…..the new matrix yeah it look nice but degrading is not so nice…..

• Sammy Hagar :
  March 1st, 2008 at 10:58 am
  
  

  First off, I don’t care if the suggested MSRP for a non-AWD Matrix is $22K…you’re NOT going to pay that much for that vehicle on most Toyota lots. Setting that as the price point so as to compare to a Prius, XB or Honda offering is silly.

  Second, you’d buy the Vibe version NEXT year…when the NEW factor wears off and GM is running some rediculous rebate/phony employee discount program. I bought an ‘05 w/AWD, moonroof, upgrade wheels, etc, for $18…and I honestly felt like I could have done better (got stuck on a particular paint color). Over at the Toyo dealership, a standard Matrix was cheaper; however, the AWD versions were harder to find and more expensive ($500 rebate was the best ToMoCo was offering). Either way, it’s the same car…you’re only issue is going to be service; after 36K, you can have your maintenance done by the Toyo dealership. The coolant is Toyo Pink, the oil filter is a Denso, even the Pontiac specific wheels are stamped “Toyota” on the inverse.

  As for the critiques of quality:

  1) Maybe they changed the quality of the interior materials, but the previous generation had the same cheesy chrome and metallic charcoal paint; I don’t have any of the scratching/scuffing problems the author suggests.

  2) The author is correct inre: the rear plastic in the “hatch” area. Is will scratch…and easily. A cargo pad is not standard; but you can buy a utility floor mat at Lowe’s for like $10.

  3) The Vibe gives you mounting rails for racks; the Toyo doesn’t. Previous gen Vibes 03-04 came w/cross rails standard; 05-on you had to buy them. Either way, there are many aftermarket options.

  4) I can’t vouch for the 2.4, but the 1.8 and A/T are bulletproof; you will fall asleep while driving these cars, but 30 years from now some kid w/pimples on his ass will be delivering pizzas in it w/no rebuilds or replacement.

  5) Toyo gets the resale value benefit, obviously the Vibe does not. The Vibe is better than all other Pontiac offerings at resale value…but it’s still paying a penalty for it’s lineage. The other side of that is you can get a better deal on a slightly used Vibe and more negotiating leverage.

  Just a few thoughts from someone who actually owns one of these cars. Would I buy again? Yeah…if I got the same discounts from GM that are putting them in the grave. Otherwise? As many have said, I’d look at a Mazda 3 or a Golf/Rabbit wagon (if I could find one).

• L47_V8 :
  March 1st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
  
  

  Second, you’d buy the Vibe version NEXT year…when the NEW factor wears off and GM is running some rediculous rebate/phony employee discount program. I bought an ‘05 w/AWD, moonroof, upgrade wheels, etc, for $18…and I honestly felt like I could have done better (got stuck on a particular paint color).

  An $18 car? That’s a helluva deal, no matter who sold it to you.

• supremebrougham :
  March 1st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
  
  

  I can’t really speak for the Matrix, but I have been looking at the ‘09 Corolla. So far I have driven two of them, and while it’s true that they won’t win any fashion awards, I found it to be a vastly better car than the ‘08. If anything else, the driving position is sooo much better now, thanks in part to the tilt/telescoping wheel. And, the leather-wrapped wheel felt wonderful in my hand, a very high quality piece. FWIW, I also cross shopped a new Civic. The driving position in the sedan, with it’s extreme A-pillars, reminded me of a GM Dustbuster minivan, the coupe was far easier to adjust to.

  I still haven’t decided which one I like better, but the Corolla is still fine car IMHO.

• Prado :
  March 1st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
  
  

  I also don’t get why Toyota needs another overstyled youth oriented “wagon thing”. Isn’t that the whole purpose of having Scion? I would have really liked them to have just given us the Auris(UK). I think it would have sold really well. The more Toyota Americanizes the products they sell here, the less I like them.

• Mrb00st :
  March 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
  
  

  Hmm, 158 horsepower ugly Matrix S for 22k… or 2.0T-powered VW Tiguan for 22k?

  Gosh Toyota, you make decisions so hard.

• BEAT :
  March 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
  
  

  You know what? I saw a Vibe the other day on the street of LA and I checked the web site.

  to tell you frankly. It’s worth the money.

  http://www.pontiac.com/vibe (cool promo song)

  26/33 on gas. plus add a F5 Fujita competition air intake system then you’re good to go anywhere.

• Johnson :
  March 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
  
  

  Mrb00st:
  Hmm, 158 horsepower ugly Matrix S for 22k… or 2.0T-powered VW Tiguan for 22k?

  Gosh Toyota, you make decisions so hard.
  

  Hmmm, rock solid Toyota reliability, or taking a gamble with questionable VW reliability?

• WildBill :
  March 3rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
  
  

  We have an ‘03 XR AWD with automatic, that has absolutely been rock solid with NO mechanical issues, zip, zero nada… that’s my idea of reliable. We just change oil and filters and replace the tires when needed (on the third set now). Oh… my bad, had to replace front brake pads last week, rear still at 60%! We are up to 129,000 miles plus, drive it an average of 90 - 100 miles a day commuting into the big city and we have taken some long trips (Central Ohio to the East coast). Still getting no less than 30 mpg, sometimes up to 32 - 33. We like the layout and the cargo space, even the easy clean, hard plastic floor of the cargo area. Living on the farm anything easy clean is a god-send, so the hard plastic surfaces work for us. For the next one we are looking forward to the telescoping wheel, I agree the wheel is set to far away. We’ve had only one place where the chinzy silver paint/trim has worn away to the base plastic, that’s under the radio volume knob where it gets touched every day.

  The wife is the hard one to please and she’s ready for another Matrix if/when this one ever wears out.

• wsn :
  March 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
  
  

  Replying to Mrb00st:
  Hmm, 158 horsepower ugly Matrix S for 22k… or 2.0T-powered VW Tiguan for 22k?

  Gosh Toyota, you make decisions so hard.

  VW can only sell 200k units of their junk to Americans every year. The point is so clear: avoid VW at all cost.

  The Matrix may not be great. The Mazda 3 or the Impreza may be better. But a VW? Give me a break.

• tankd0g :
  March 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
  
  

  cRaCk hEaD aLLeY :
  February 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

  It’s a Toyota, it’s a Corolla in desguise and it is made exclusively for the North-American market:
  What else did you guys expect it to be? A Lancia Stratos HF hiding underneath ToMoCo econobox skin?
  This car it is perfectly on target for what it is meant to be… my mother in law saw an ad in one of her magazines and already wants one to haul pots and plants from the local garden center. It will sell.

  Still waiting for them to offer the old Corolla WRC hatch :)

• LamborghiniZ :
  March 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
  
  

  Great comparison between the Matrix and xB and Prius. That showcases the Matrix’s faults like none other.

• theswedishtiger :
  March 12th, 2008 at 1:22 am
  
  

  So folks would you want the Matrix/Vibe? I own a 2005 and I spent the last year deliberately leaving the doors unlocked. I left a big note on the windshield that said ‘Steal me’. I came back and someone had replaced it with a note that said “What for?”. Does that tell you something. I swear that Toyota have a special team that irons the personality out of most of its cars (anyone driven a Camry lately?). The Vibe is no exception.

  Let me start with the positive. The gas mileage, in these days of $4 per gall 27mpg is a huge bonus.

  OK, I finished with the positive. My dog, a black lab with a mean streak, will write the rest.

  Woof, I hate the shiny hard plastic back that I slide around in, since my gullible master purchased this masterpiece of anti-zen I have taken a delight in scaring the local Japanese population.

  Growl, turning corners tosses me around like a square on a Rubic’s cube, and I get to see more colors too.

  Bad ass nasty Bark, when I tell Mr. Gullible to stop this road rocket, cos I see a cute poodle to scare the coat off, the vibe stops somewhere on the other side of town. Oh and turning on a bone ain’t anything to woof about.

  So there you have it, an expert opinion, from a dog who knows.

• CrunchyCookie :
  March 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
  
  

  Re: Matrix vs. xB.
  Keep in mind that Scion’s $17,220 sticker is non-negotiable, making the Matrix likely the same or cheaper. And since when is a 4 MPG difference “paltry”? It might be even higher on the highway thanks to the xB’s laughably boxy, tall (not to mention ugly) shape — a key reason I chose a 2004 Vibe over an xB, RAV4, etc.

  Re: Matrix vs. Prius
  Uh, the Matrix is a “genuinely useable hatchback” as well. With more cargo space. And performance. For $4,000 less. Oh, and those Prius carpool stickers you mention are long gone. Much like its tax credits. Not very thorough analyses you got here.

  And wouldn’t it have been better to concentrate on how the Matrix stacks up to its REAL competitors, like the Caliber, Impreza, Versa, and 3 hatchbacks?

  I don’t think you have the Matrix’s pros/cons straight, either. If the new Matrix is anything like the old one (and it should be), its ride should be one of its worst aspects, with all that rear end torsion beam thwacking and the resulting noise/vibrations (partly thanks to its 5-door body).

• icarl :
  March 15th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
  
  

  I just test drove a 2009 Matrix XR MT and could not disagree more with the review above. The matrix was comfortable, powerful, and fun to drive. Power was amble compared to the previous version. The car handles well and the one i drove had traction control, telescopic steering, 17″ wheels, etc. Toyota has a good product here. The cargo area is improved with friction skid pads to hold objects in place which will come in handy for boxes, bags, etc. If you need to haul more than a grocery bag than this is the car. The price is actually less than the 2008 matrix right now for the same option (although higher interest rate). The only complaint i would have is Toyota needs to be more competitive with the Pontiac Vibe version as more features could be had there for less money.

• AKL :
  April 6th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
  
  

  I also agree that this new Matrix is worse than than the previous one. At first, I intended to buy the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Now, I shall wait for the 2009 Honda Fit in the Fall. There are three shortcomings of the new Matrix I cannot stand. (1) Poor Rear Visibility: Due to a large blind spot at the back (esp. with the standard tinted glass at night). (2) Reduced Rear Hiproom: Only 43.7 inches despite its overall bigger size. (3)Awkward Cargo Shape (with Huge Wheel Wells) and Height Behind the Rear Seats: Can’t put a decent-sided luggage when all seats are up. They are the results of a new aggressive style. If I really want a performance car, I would choose Mazda3. For an utility vehicle, I look forward to a bigger improved Honda Fit. With more than 350 pounds lighter than the Matrix, the Fit hopefully will be powerful enough. The only concern I have is whether the new FIT will have a compact spare tire (US version)instead of the tire repair kit as offered by the Japanese version. This will be a deal breaker to me. Does anyone know about this for sure?

• longo :
  July 21st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
  
  

  I have been doing the leg work for my daughter who is going to be in the market for a replacemnt car soon.
  First car I looked at was the new Ford Focus. After having read all the comments on the Matrix review, I am not amazed that no one has mentioned the Focus as an alternative choice.

  Granted the 5 door Focus hatchback was dropped by the Ford Braintrust that chose to use all their Focus Hatchback R&D money to buy Landrover, Jaguar, and Saab instead…and we all know how that worked out…

  So..the new 09′ 4 door Focus was all there is to test drive in Fords econobox Stable.
  Without being permantly banned from this Forum for Descriptive Expletives.. lets just say my wife and I ran from the Focus test drive screaming, hugged our Versa jumped in and never looked back.
  The 09′ Toyota Corolla was our next test drive. We were still depressed and in shock from the Focus and looking for something to hate, but were hard pressed to find it.
  If the Matrix is a Corolla hatchback in disguise, I think Toyota will fill the freeways with them, with no problems.

  Having said that, I think right now…July 2008 is the WORST possible time in Earths history to be new car shopping and have told my daughter that. If she ever takes my advice on anything, I hope it’s that.

  There is new technology and ideas out there right now, on the horizon, or just over it that will make our 34 MPG’s look like a bad joke.

  I know her 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer will still be running fine until the 85 and 100 mpg’ers are on the showroom floors.

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