Toyota Matrix Review
| Ratings |
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| Overall: |
 
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| Comfort: |
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| Performance: |
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| Quality: |
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| Appearance: |
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
The large and flexible storage space. |
Least favorite feature: |
Noisy drivetrain and unimpressive acceleration in most circumstances. |
Advice to buyer: |
Consider buying either the base or Matrix XR instead of the XRS to avoid buying premium fuel. |
Detailed review: |
Overall, the Matrix is a versatile, fun to drive and quality built car. The back seats and the passenger front seat fold completely flat to accomodate all kinds of stuff. The seatbacks are also covered in hard plastic, so it makes cleaning up easy too if you spill something. Even though I have the performance-oriented XRS Matrix, the engine has to be revved pretty high to extract any useable performance. If you are on an open road where it is possible to accelerate past six thousand rpm's, you will notice the extra power of the XRS.
Unfortunately, the high-revving nature of the engine is not so pleasant inside the car. The engine tends to be buzzy and the exhaust system noisy for a factory system. In fact, even though I have the JBL audio system, I have to turn the music up pretty loud to listen over the buzziness of the drivetrain sometimes. Also, the reverse beeper is a little annoying, but I believe it only comes with the six speed, which is only available in the XRS. Furthermore, the XRS requires premium fuel, so you may want to look at a base Matrix or an XR because they only require regular grade fuel.
On the plus side, there is a lot of flexible room inside. The car appears to be built very well for a relatively inexpensive economy car. I have close to 15,000 miles on mine without any squeaks or rattles. It is comfortable and sits a little higher than your average passenger car. The Matrix also handles very well for a relatively tall front wheel drive vehicle; especially with the optional seventeen inch alloy wheels and tires. The fuel mileage for my XRS has been as advertised at 25 city and 32 highway. The only thing the Matrix would really need to be perfect is a slightly less buzzy powertrain. Even the bigger four cylinder from the Toyota Camry would work better in the Matrix. |
Also considered: |
2005 Mazda MAZDA3
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Vehicle purchased: |
2005 Toyota Matrix
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| About This Reviewer... |
Location: |
Haslett, Michigan |
Other vehicles owned: |
None
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Review submitted: |
March 08, 2006 |
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