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 1 through 10 of 181.00

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  1.8 Auto FWD - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By gordon k laurie - November 23 - 8:36 am

  Have 109k km (now 2009). Very functional, mechanically very sound, and will be difficult to replace. Watch the blind spots (thick windshield posts, small mirrors). Factory tires plain dangerous on wet/slush/snow. Road noise is high (even with undercoating). Single disk CD had to be replaced (jumped tracks). Sluggish initial acceleration but o.k. at highway speed (to be expected for 1.8). Signal light doesnt cancel with less than full turns (nuisance).

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  Great! Until 100K... - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By mocondo - September 13 - 4:46 am

  I have been a big fan of this car since I bought it new seven years ago. I bought the 5-speed manual base line model. And for the first 100K, the only thing I had to replace were the usual things - tires, battery, brake pads, clutch (in that order). In fact, the clutch didnt start to go until I cleared 110K, and I do a lot of city driving. But. In the last six months, the car has just started falling apart. First the clutch, then the parking brake (twice), the struts, the suspension system, the air conditioner is leaking... Ive put more money into this car in the last three months than I did the whole rest of the time Ive owned it.

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  Reliability NOT GOOD ENOUGH - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Larry - September 12 - 9:23 pm

  This is the most underpowered vehicle on the planet. We have the XR 4WD, why didnt it come with the S motor? It is dangerously slow! We get passed by semis on the hi-way all the time. The Toyota auto-power locks are terrible, everytime you want to get into a door, it locks itself. And you cannot manually turn off the headlights, this is very annoying if you are approaching someones place late at night it is like a plane landing. Why does the window lock disable the drivers controls?? Poor interior lighting control. Overall a BIG disappointment. Poor interior colors, shows all the fuzz and dirt, poor tire wear, poor disc brakes.

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  This is our LAST Toyota - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Nita - January 25 - 2:50 am

  Weve always owned Toyotas, but the flimsy interior and easily scratchable exterior have convinced me to look elsewhere. I hate the plastic in the cargo area because it cracks and breaks. Our 89 Corolla looked much better inside and out after 16 years than this hunk of cheap junk does after 3 years. Toyota should be ashamed of itself for making this crummy product. I also dislike the engine hesitation, the whistling wind from the closed front passenger window, and the way the electronic window controls broke for no discernible reason.

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  bummed out - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By katie renfro - October 9 - 7:20 am

  The drivers seat is the worst Ive ever had. No electric seats are available. No leather is available. Extremely uncomfortable. I guess I will have to rent a car when I take a vacation. The interior is cheap with plastic made to look like cow hide. I feel stiff and confined in this vehicle. Not much pick up power when trying to yield into interstate traffic. Headrests block view when backing up or changing into right lanes.

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  Toyota Quality? - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Keith - August 8 - 10:23 am

  Issues: 1)Noisey front end. Dealer says its the tires (Continentals) and wont do anything about it. 2)Needed a serpentine belt at 12,500 miles. Why? 3)You have to sit on the passenger seat to move it. 4)Auto locks will automatically relock 30 seconds after you hit the button. 5)Driver side window broke at 11,000. Took the dealer 2 trys to fix it. 6)Auto Transmission is "iffy" coming down hills. 7)Rear windshield wiper is noisey even if its new. (And a new one costs 20 bucks) 8)Spoilers are too low to the ground. Every matrix XR I have seen in parking lots have theirs broked right in front of rear wheels (they bottom out over speed bumps.)

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  Needs work - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By meg - August 2 - 6:36 am

  Has been very reliable, gas mileage could def. be better for such a small vehicle. Family of four is comfortable on short travel, bit cramped in long travel. Does have good capacity in hatch to carry things. Many issues with interior, but none mechanically. Very loud street noise and is very rough ride as all Toyotas are in my opinion. Overall have 80,000 miles on it and going strong! No mechanical issues what so ever. Tires were replaced within 1st year. All cars should be standard equipped with back window wiper as it is a huge danger to not have one like me! It stays filthy because of design and mix filth with fog or rain and no wiper and you got problems! Dependability you cant beat!

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  Aghh, Not Impressed - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Melissa - May 17 - 9:40 pm

  Too bad, I bought this car new, because Im not a fan. Walking into the dealership it was all about getting a car with good gas mileage. But stepping down from a Subaru Forester made the Matrixs shortcomings more obvious. Dislikes: Seating position. I feel like Im sitting in a booster chair-- Not comfortable. Puny engine. Toyota sells this car as sporty. If youre looking for somewhat-sporty styling, but poor agility this is your car. Rapid acceleration is labored. The Matrix also seems to rock from front to back. Tires are tiny. Especially dislike occasionally bottoming out in this car with low grills & bumper. Miss everything about my Subaru Forester but the gas mileage

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  Beware of this!!! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Beware - August 28 - 10:56 pm

  My husband and I have been through 9 cars and we bought and paid off this vehicle in full because we like that it was a Toyota (great reputation in quality and durability) it was a four door and had great space and very attractive and sporty look. Unfortunately weve had the worst experience ever out of 9 cars!!! It only has 15,000 miles and Ive been in the service deptarment more than I ever did for all my cars combined!!! To all who are looking into this car be aware that some matrix have been know to have a "long-crank" problem (mine is one of them). Sometimes it wont even start and I have to keep trying to start it with the key until it finally does. Very scary especially for a mom!