2004 Toyota Matrix Consumer Reviews
Editors Rating
Recent Consumer Reviews
(159 Total Reviews)
2004 Matrix Owner is so so
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Sporty vehicle that we loved the look of. Great for short trips, errands, and hauling. Mileage good, but there is a paint issue with the hood that Toyota won't own up to (missing layers of paint after 2-years of ownership). Also, I agree the sound system is poor but what do you expect in this price range? Driver seat seems more comfy than passenger for long trips, uncomfortable for passenger. Basically a bit more attention to quality and they will perfect this model (maybe they have already). Bottle water holders in the door would be a great addition to this model. Nix the cheap backseat beverage holders.
Favorite Features
Storage, sporty look, and mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Even though auto lights are safer, it was nice to be able to "flash" lights at other drivers who did not have them on. Paint quality issue on hood never resolved (chipped many layers), bulb for the gear shift is out and we have no idea what to do. Make seats more comfortable. Improve sound sys.
Fourbanger Fun
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
I love the XRS. I actually had a XR and it was a great car too, but I wanted something in a manual. This is a fast little car at approx. 4500 RPM. What is great you dont have to go that high and drive it economically. For a car that is fun, roomy, comfortable, decent MPG, and sporty. Look no further.
Favorite Features
Engine, when the car reaches lift it makes some great engine tones. Ergonomic, economic, roomy.
Suggested Improvements
Change the use of premium gas, beeping in reverse, power seats.
Ahh it's not so bad...depending on view
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
Peppy engine but very noisy, I have a 6 speed manual trans and it's very easy to shift. Radio rocks. Common complaint I read is road noise, that is true. Seats are comfortable. Views are good (rear window is small so that is limited) Only thing that needed to be fixed was serpentine belt had to be replaced & belt tensioner had to be replaced. Other than that the car is extremely reliable.
Favorite Features
I love the 6-speed manual transmission & this engine. It's very responsive & has a lot of kick to it.
Suggested Improvements
Insulation of some type to dampen the road noise & engine noise. Also factory tires are horrible in the snow. Car is all over the road.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
To Hawaii and Back
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
We have shipped this car from VA to Hawaii and back. We have driven to CA and have enjoyed all the room and creature comforts of this CUV. We would recommend this to any small family. The AWD feature was a great safety comfort in the mountains, in the snow and on the beaches.
Favorite Features
AWD and the staion wagon room with all the secret compartments. By adding a roof rack we made a great roomy car even roomier.
Suggested Improvements
The ability to turn off the AWD feature.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
My Lucky Little Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
I had absolutely no interest in this car when I went car shopping. Now that I have it I could not be happier! The car is both fun to drive and reliable. I purchased it with 30,000 miles and have had no problems whatsoever despite the high mileage. The seats are comfortable and that's saying something with my awful back problems! The dash is beautiful and easy to read, the gear shift is set in a position that is both natural and comfortable, visibility is supreme with few blind spots and cargo room is fantastic. The back and passenger seats have hard plastic back covers for protection when toting large items, the passenger seat folds down as a table top and the car has 3 power plugs!!
Favorite Features
The back support, seat height, roominess, gas mileage(!), attractiveness inside and out, crash test ratings, responsiveness, stereo, love it in red, moonroof, the trash hatch in center console below the gear shift (at least that's what I use it for.. perfect if you also live in your car. It's fun!!
Suggested Improvements
The cupholders need more space between them so cups don't rub or lean, though attractive the front body is too low and scrapes easily on curbs or high incline driveways, darker tint, better sound proofing - noise isn't too bad, jack for iPods, better clasp for glovebox.. all in all very minor stuff
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Fun But Also a Pain
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
Pros: Good acceleration, great on trips. Comfortable inside, roomy for passengers, the seats lie flat, front passenger seat lies down - can carry long items. Has an AC outlet. I loved the 6 dsc CD changer and the moonroof. Nice looking exterior. The seat sits a little higher than most sedans and the shift lever is forward on the dash which is comfortable for me. Cons: gas pedal is very touchy. It is easy to stall out when starting from a standstill. Sometimes it has trouble going into 1st or 2nd gears. The engine is annoyingly loud. The "apron" or skirt deal under the front grill is very cheap and low to the ground so it gets scraped all the time.
Favorite Features
Large flat cargo bed. Great on trips.
Suggested Improvements
The gearbox is weird. It should have traction control because it sometimes won't grip the road when starting out. Engine should be more quiet. Take the apron off.
Enter the Matrix
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
Review
When the clutch system is at its best, the driving expericence is great. I like all the electronic hook up ports for my MP3, cell phone etc. The front control panel is easy to read and manipulate. The brake system is awesome.
Favorite Features
1. The beeping sound that occurs when you are in reverse. 2. The let-down sets for large cargo. 3. The hatch back. 4. The general appearance.
Suggested Improvements
1. More horse power. 2. Upgrade in the clutch system. 3. A warranty for the clutch system.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Matrix
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I've been driving mine for almost 3 years now and I absolutely love it. Plenty of interior room, excellent reliability, good mileage, nice design -- what's not to love?
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Great automobile
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have driven this car in all kinds of conditions with excellent results, great gas mileage and comfortable ride, good handling. Just a nice car.
Favorite Features
Handling, gas mileage, looks.
Suggested Improvements
None
Love my Matrix
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I love my Matrix and it is fun to drive. My son who is 19 was really impressed with the way it looks and drives, which surprised me. I didn't think it would be sporty enough for him. Handles great in the snow and rain. Visibility could be better as sometimes it is difficult to see something that is at the front/side of the vehicle when driving. But overall It's great to drive. Reliaiblity is A1.
Favorite Features
Love the AWD. A sunroof is a must. Lots of cargo room. Like how it's not as low as a car but not as high a an SUV.
Suggested Improvements
Improve visibility on the drivers side. Can't get mist off the windows when rolling down. Could use a quieter ride in the back. (But who cares, I ride in the front).
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