2003-08 Toyota Matrix | Consumer Guide Auto

Compact car; Built in Canada

4-door wagon
4-door wagon

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $4,800 – $10,500*

2003 Toyota Matrix

2004 Toyota Matrix

2005 Toyota Matrix

Toyota Matrix interior

Pros:	All-wheel drive Cargo room Fuel economy Rear-seat room
Cons:	Engine noise Ride (XRS)

Though slightly tamer than Pontiac’s Vibe in character, the Matrix is an interesting alternative to conventional small wagons and compact SUVs. Utility, fine road manners, available AWD, and Toyota-grade reliability are quite appealing. Those traits must, however, be measured against the needlessly noisy engines and the XRS model’s harsher, high-strung nature.

Overview

Toyota targeted a younger audience with its new-for-2003 crossover wagon, based on the redesigned Corolla subcompact sedan. Matrix shared engines and transmissions with the Corolla and Toyota’s Celica sport coupe, but came with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Pontiac’s new Vibe shared the Matrix design and powertrains, but was built in California with different styling.

Matrix came in Standard, XR, and XRS trim levels, with a separate-opening window in a swing-up tailgate. Each used a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive was optional on Standard and XR models, which had 130 horsepower with front-drive or 123 hp with AWD. Equipped with a 180-horsepower engine, the XRS was offered only with front-drive.

Standard and XR models came with a five-speed manual transmission, but the XRS used only a six-speed manual. A four-speed automatic transmission was optional with front-drive, and included with AWD. Those AWD versions retained the front-drive’s ride height, and were not intended for off-road use.

Antilock braking was standard on XRS and AWD models, and optional for other versions. The XRS also had rear disc brakes. Front side airbags were optional for all models. Curtain side airbags were not offered.

Included in XR and XRS models, and optional on the Standard, was a household-type power outlet. The XRS added aero body trim, and joined the front-drive XR in offering optional 17-inch wheels versus the Matrix’s standard 16s. A navigation system and an in-dash six-disc CD changer were available for all models. Rivals included the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus wagon, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Jetta wagon.

Yearly Updates

2004 Matrix
Toyota’s compact wagon changed little for 2004. An in-dash CD changer was optional in the XR and XRS, and the available navigation system was exclusive to XRS. During 2004, output of the XRS engine dropped to 170 horsepower.

2005 Matrix
An antiskid system became optional on front-drive versions of the 2005 Matrix, if equipped with an automatic transmission. Head-protecting curtain side airbags were now offered in an option group that also included front torso side airbags. All models exhibited a new front bumper, grille, and clear-lens taillamps. Toyota no longer offered a navigation system in the Matrix.

2006 Matrix
2006 brought no changes for the Matrix.

2007 Matrix
Matrix lost its all-wheel-drive and sporty models for 2007. New for ’07 was an M-Theory option package with 4-wheel disc brakes and special trim.

2008 Matrix
The 2008 Toyota Matrix carried over pending a redesign due in calendar 2008 as a 2009 model.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	1.8/110
Engine HP	123-130
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	125

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	29/36 28/33	25.4-28.4

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

1.8/110

Engine HP

123-130

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

125

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

29/36
28/33

25.4-28.4

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	1.8/110
Engine HP	170-108
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	127-130

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual	25/30

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

1.8/110

Engine HP

170-108

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

127-130

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

6-speed manual

25/30

Ratings

Model Tested: 2004 XR w/AWD, auto.

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 3

30%

Fuel Economy - 7

70%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 5

50%

Quietness - 4

40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Rear - 7

70%

Cargo Room - 7

70%

Other

Value - 10

100%

Total: 60

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2003 Matrix 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Rear Passenger Injury - 4

80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2003 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 01/24/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
FWD Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 14,670	$ 13,568	$ 485
FWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	15,470	14,308	485
AWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	17,115	15,831	485
FWD XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,180	14,641	485
FWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	16,980	15,365	485
AWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	18,445	16,691	485
FWD XRS 4-door wagon, manual	18,750	16,968	485
FWD XRS 4-door wagon, automatic	19,330	17,492	485
Price Note: FWD denotes front-wheel drive. AWD denotes all-wheel drive. Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
Standard : 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 130-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, cargo cover, rear defogger, automatic headlights, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, rear wiper
XR adds: power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat, variable-intermittent wipers, rear wiper, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, intermittent rear wiper
XRS adds: 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 180-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, fog lights, alloy wheels

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power Pkg.	Standard	$980	$784
Power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry.
Sport Pkg.	XR	1160	928
Power sunroof, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.
Sport Plus Pkg.	XR	270	216
Fog lights, front and rear underbody spoilers. Std. XRS.
All Weather Guard Pkg.	FWD Standard	250	207
All Weather Guard Pkg.	FWD XR, XRS	70	59
Heavy-duty heater, rear heat ducts, rear wiper (Standard), intermittent rear wiper (XR, XRS). Std. AWD.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side impact airbags		250	215
Antilock brakes	FWD Standard, FWD XR	300	258
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Navigation system	XR	1890	1607
Navigation system	XRS	1750	1702
Includes AM/FM radio w/trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer. NA w/AM/FM/cassette/CD player or AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.
Power sunroof	XR, XRS	750	600
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	Standard	100	75
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	XR	240	180
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	XRS	100	75
Cruise control	Standard, XR	250	200
Intermittent rear wiper	FWD Standard	180	148
115-volt power outlet	Standard	100	80
Std. XR, XRS.
First aid kit		115	80
Includes seatback storage.
Cargo mat		56	34
Floormats CF		76	48
All weather floormats		90	58
Requires floormats CF.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Theft-deterrent system		399	199
Standard requires Power Pkg.
Fog lights		349	263
Wheel locks		59	37
Requires alloy wheels.
16-inch alloy wheels	Standard, XR	410	328
17-inch alloy wheels	FWD XR	560	448
17-inch alloy wheels	XRS	150	120
Includes 215/50R17 tires. XR requires antilock brakes. NA w/power sunroof.

2004 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 02/16/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
FWD Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 14,670	$ 13,568	$ 515
FWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	15,470	14,308	515
AWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	17,115	15,831	515
FWD XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,180	14,641	515
FWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	16,980	15,365	515
AWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	18,445	16,691	515
FWD XRS 4-door wagon, manual	18,750	16,968	515
Price Note: FWD denotes front-wheel drive. AWD denotes all-wheel drive. Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
Standard : 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 130-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, cargo cover, rear defogger, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, intermittent rear wiper
XR adds: power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, intermittent rear wiper, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes
XRS adds: 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder 180-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, fog lights, alloy wheels

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 60

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2005 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 02/14/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 14,860	$ 13,744	$ 540
Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	15,660	14,484	540
AWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	17,395	16,088	540
XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,340	14,786	540
XR 4-door wagon, automatic	17,170	15,537	540
AWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	18,735	16,954	540
XRS 4-door wagon, manual	18,850	17,058	540
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
Standard : 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 130-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, cargo cover, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, intermittent rear wiper
XR adds: power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, intermittent rear wiper, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 123-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes
XRS adds: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 170-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, fog lights, alloy wheels

Optional Equipment
Option Note: Postproduction options also available.
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power Pkg.	Standard automatic	$510	$459
Power Pkg.	Standard manual	480	432
Power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry.
Extra Value Pkg. 1	XR	270	243
Cruise control, front and rear underbody spoilers, fog lights.
Extra Value Pkg. 2	XR	880	792
Extra Value Pkg. 1 plus power sunroof, alloy wheels.
All Weather Guard Pkg.	Standard	250	207
All Weather Guard Pkg.	XR, XRS	70	59
Heavy-duty heater, rear heat ducts, intermittent rear wiper (Standard). Std. AWD.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side impact airbags		645	555
Includes curtain side airbags.
Antilock brakes	Standard, XR	390	335
Includes tire-pressure monitor. Std. AWD.
Antiskid system	Standard, XR	650	559
Requires Power Pkg., antilock brakes. NA w/manual transmission, AWD.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof	XR, XRS	750	600
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	XR, XRS	240	180
JBL AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	XRS	540	405
Cruise control	Standard	250	200
Intermittent rear wiper	Standard	180	148
Std. AWD.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
16-inch alloy wheels	Standard, XR	410	328
17-inch alloy wheels	XR	560	448
17-inch alloy wheels	XRS	150	120
Includes 215/50R17 tires. XR requires antilock brakes. NA w/antiskid system, AWD.

2006 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 02/14/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 15,110	$ 13,976	$ 580
Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	15,910	14,716	580
AWD Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	17,645	16,320	580
XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,590	15,011	580
XR 4-door wagon, automatic	17,420	15,764	580
AWD XR 4-door wagon, automatic	18,985	17,179	580
XRS 4-door wagon, manual	19,100	17,286	580
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
Standard : 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 126-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, cargo cover, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 118-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, intermittent rear wiper
XR adds: power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, intermittent rear wiper, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 118-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor
XRS adds: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 164-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, fog lights, alloy wheels

2007 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 01/24/2007
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 15,410	$ 14,254	$ 620
Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	16,210	14,994	620
XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,890	15,283	620
XR 4-door wagon, automatic	17,720	16,036	620
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
Standard : 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, cargo cover, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers
XR adds: power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver seat, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, intermittent rear wiper

2008 Toyota Matrix	Pricing Effective: 10/02/2007
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Standard 4-door wagon, manual	$ 15,510	$ 14,346	$ 660
Standard 4-door wagon, automatic	16,310	15,086	660
XR 4-door wagon, manual	16,990	15,373	660
XR 4-door wagon, automatic	17,820	16,126	660
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.