2004 Toyota Matrix Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Versatile and affordable, the Matrix is the best compact wagon for hauling people and cargo in this price class.
Pros
Versatile cargo area, good gas mileage, smooth ride, generous standard equipment list, available all-wheel drive.
Cons
Modest torque output from engines, non-sporting driving experience.
What's New for 2004
Introduced last year, the Matrix carries over unchanged into 2004.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Good, but could be better.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Electric windows rattle, grind and pop. Dealer could not address problem. Eventually a window fell out. Engine surges while stopped at light or in traffic. Dealer could not address problem. The door handles have a "metallic" finish that peels away. Occupants have cut their fingers on the edge of metal/plastic that was coming away. Eventually got worse to where you could see the white plastic handle underneath so I peeled away the remaining sharp edges and caution occupants. Dealer offered to repair at my expense. Contacted the Toyota Customer Service Experience Center and was referred back to a dealer.
Favorite Features
Economy and space.
Suggested Improvements
Sadly, Toyota quality and service is not what it once was. There is room for improvement.
Breaking in car - new discoveries
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought Matrix new. Have 21,000 mi on car today. Mostly city driving with occasional road trip. Beginning to see minor degradation on interior moving parts - the "cheap" is revealing itself. Out-of-control acceleration happened to me 2 times. The accelerator just slams to the floorboard and won't let up. The first time in 70+ mph traffic - the second time 45+ traffic. Terrified me. Panic! Had to yank emergency handle and turn car off. It is a real experience and the dealer can't explain. I think it's a defective chip in the master brain of some cars.
Favorite Features
Great 6 CD player. Fun to drive for a grocery cart.
Suggested Improvements
Windshield reflects dash. Weak A/C for size of interior. Loud road noise. Needs stock spoiler on rear for stability on highway/high wind. Lacks body integrity - cheap plastic parts.
145,000 & still going strong!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I got the car in late 2003 brand new. If you keep up with oil changes and tire rotations you'll be able to drive it forever. It's got well over 100,000 miles on it and I've never had a problem with it unless you refer to a headlight bulb and battery I had to change almost 5 years later, other than that, no complaints.
Favorite Features
Moonroof has never leaked. Sound system is great, even better with the 12 I added. I didnt have to buy a new radio head with the after market add on the system jams great even with stock speakers for mids and highs. Gas mileage is awesome.
Suggested Improvements
The 1.8 makes get up speed lag just a little but once it gets up there its got great boost. Even with the noise reduction pakage I got it still has some bad road noise. The seats are not at all something you want to sit in for a long period of time. The ride in itself is on the rough side.
Best car I have ever owned
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I have owned my Matrix for almost 4 years and I can say that this is the first car I have ever considered keeping beyond 4 years. I am dismayed that they eliminated the AWD option as it has been super through several New England winters. I am a nurse who has to get to work no matter the weather and it has never let me down. The car is fun to drive and gets great mileage considering that it is an AWD small SUV. I have transported furniture and bikes and all sorts of luggage in it. I am a scrapbooker and can carry all of my "stuff" as well as that of a friend in it and have room to spare when we go away for scrapbooking weekends. I have never been attached to a car before this one. Love it!
Favorite Features
Rides high, roomy, lots of cargo space, easy to access features, comfortable back seat, handles nimbly, great brakes.
Suggested Improvements
Bring back AWD option! Would like variable speed wipers, no place to hang trash bag, cup holders not great, would like cargo cover to come down automatically with ability to disable it if needed, too much road noise.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great Car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my matrix in August of 2003 when they were putting out the new 2004 models. I have loved my matrix since. It is great on gas and the look. When I first bought it, strangers on the street would look at the car and give me a thumbs up. I love the versatility of the seats. I have fit grown palm trees, a patio set, pool table, and other large items in my matrix with all the doors closed. You can't beat the quality of a Toyota. It has been almost 5 years with my car and no problems. I am thinking about trading it in for a bigger vehicle , but I don't think I can't. I love this car!
Favorite Features
I love the versatility of the seats, the child seat anchors in the back, 6 cd stereo system, the look of the gages, and the great gas mileage!
Suggested Improvements
better air conditioning for the back seat passengers because the vents are located in front and it does not circulate well.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Toyota Matrix
- 2008 Toyota Matrix
- 2007 Toyota Matrix
- 2006 Toyota Matrix
- 2005 Toyota Matrix
- 2004 Toyota Matrix
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