Overview & Reviews

The Matrix receives a revised front bumper, taillights and grille to freshen up the exterior, along with a new audio head unit design, optional side curtain airbags and other minor interior changes. Stability control is also newly optional.

• Versatile cargo area, roomy rear seats, good gas mileage, generous standard equipment list, availability of all-wheel drive and stability control.

• Modest torque output, less fun to drive than its styling suggests.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 181.00

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  Fun and versatile - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Dogdoc - May 20 - 4:36 am

  I retired a big SUV after 10 years and 160K miles to buy a new Matrix. It always gets noticed, and everybody likes the looks. I volunteer at a high school, and the kids have dubbed it "cool" and "so cute", about the highest praise available from teenagers. It seats five with good comfort (Ive taken some of those same kids on a two-hour trip, and they stayed cheerful in the back seat) and it has the cargo room needed by a homeowner and business owner making weekend trips to Lowes and Home Depot, and the plastic surface and abundant tiedowns and cubbies make the cargo area very useful. And it sure was nice to see the dials on the gas pump start with a "2" instead of a "4".

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  Exceeded my expectations; Love it - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Debra - March 12 - 4:30 am

  Ive had my 2005 XR AWD for 3 months now. It has really exceeded my expectations. Not one problem, and its so solid, practical and well designed that I dont know why it doesnt get more attention (maybe a name change would help). Its perfect for my needs, great for shopping and transporting stuff, and the mpg are in line with the expected rating. I dont miss my jeep v8 grand cherokee at all (especially the gas guzzling). So comfortable and easy, great value for the $$$, a real joy to own and drive. What a nice surprise!

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  The Matrix shines in winter time! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Kim - February 28 - 8:20 pm

  Ive had it for a year and a half and it has been great, especially in the winter time. In the snow, I rarely spin my tires on a steep driveway or at a stop sign on an incline. The car has great control overall. Ive never felt safer in a car before. My passengers feel safe too. I recently heard this car gets the highest marks for side-impact collision. Id believe it! You just feel taken care of inside. The only downer is that I have to replace a rear hub bearing now not even at 100,000. That was unexpected and will be pricey. Rumors of a previous recall for this model are out there, but who knows. And no warranty will cover it now. You may want to research that issue.

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  love It - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By XRauto - February 14 - 8:50 pm

  Overall this is a great car. I would buy another in an instant. I would suggest a few changes to toyota but other wise they got it dead on right.

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  WOW! Says it all! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By dlogan - February 14 - 11:56 am

  Researched, looked, drove mid-sized SUVs for months before accidently coming across this wonderful spot of RED in the dealer parking lot! I have back trouble and needed a TALLER vehicle for comfort, this unexpectedly fit the bill! Went in stopped the paperwork on Jeep and have been extremely happy! Travel about 2000 miles per month and have a great time doing so! Love it with 3 kids and a TALL 61 husband!

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  Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By degrenia - February 12 - 5:13 pm

  We just bought our car 2 weeks ago and I love the way it drives and I am short so the way the driver seat is I can back up and see so much better than any car I have tried.

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  2005 Toyota Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By mark_texas_usa - January 28 - 2:10 pm

  I bought 2005 Matrix in July 2005. Battery failed after 20K miles, dealer replaced on warranty. Interior plastic features delaminating if grabbed by hands. Tires (terrible continental) replaced after 15K miles. Cruise control failed after 17K miles. Mileage is not meeting specs criteria? Vehicle garaged, currently Jan 09 24K miles. Summary: very poor quality vehicle. I had 1999 Ford F150 pick-up never a problem. In 10 yrs not even light bulb failed @150.

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  Vroooooom - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Dreikalina - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought this in June of 2004. Get about 28 MPG in the city. Has nice grab on the road. Nice tight corners. Back seat is roomy. Love the fold down seats (including passenger front seat.) Sometimes the front passenger seatbelt has to be buckled to prevent the beeping-alarm from going off, if I have a package on the seat. For some reason when I locked myself out of the car, Toyota said they didnt cover the locksmith to unlock me, and after debating it with them for 10 minutes, they discovered they were wrong. Blamed it on the computer system not being accurate. That was fustrating. But it is a reliable car with good gas mileage. Id buy it again.

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  Great - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Holaimtim - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car! I have a XRS its so much fun to drive. Pretty quick for a wagon. Handles amzingly but my one complaint is the seats. Although they r very comfortable i find when i take sharp turns i tend to slide out of it with my seat belt on. Thats my only complaint i love it otherwise

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  One of Best Cars I Have Owned - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By A Thomas - January 15 - 10:36 pm

  Wonderful automobile. Had 2004 Toyota Matrix XR and liked it so much that we bought another Toyota Matrix when 04 Toyota was wrecked. Most people I have talked to who saw car after wreck did not understand how I came away without so much as a scratch esp. since car was totalled. Very, very safe vehicle. Well-built and handles very well. Strongly recommend this car for anyone needing economical vehicle, but also needing room for lot of people. I can put 5 in including myself. 04 Matrix had good value and depreciated very little (much less than many other cars over the course of 1 yr).