Used 2005 Toyota Matrix Consumer Reviews
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Reliability NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Larry, 08/09/2006
2005 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
This is the most underpowered vehicle on the planet. We have the XR 4WD, why didn't 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 someone's place late at night it is like a plane landing. Why does the window lock disable the driver's controls?? Poor interior lighting control. Overall a BIG disappointment. Poor interior colors, shows all the fuzz and dirt, poor tire wear, poor disc brakes.
Expensive repairs
A.Barnett, 06/29/2006
2005 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 13 people found this review helpful
I switched from SUVs to this car for fuel economy. It is fun to drive, but repairs are costly. Air conditioner repair was over $1000 and the brake rotors warped at 39000 miles -another $550. Toyota acknowledges no responsibility. This is my last Toyota.
Best little beast of a Car!!
Kathy, 06/20/2021
2005 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2005 Toyota Matrix new. I have had it now for 16 years. Drove highway miles of 75 miles one way to work every day. The odometer only goes to 299,999! I was so disappointed, I was literally waiting to see it turn to 300,000. That was 4 years ago!!! Still a daily driver to work!! It has to be over 400,000! No Kidding!!
Small car with big feel
ckp, 12/21/2006
2005 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this car to save money on gas over my F-150 4x4. The mileage is great at between 29-32 MPG city driving back and forth to work. I'm 6'5" and am amazed at how comfortably I fit into it. It's a very reliable car, in 18 months, I have had no problems. I change the oil and put gas in it. The interior is awesome with multiple seat configurations when I need space. The outlet in the dash is cool, as are all of the other features I have (premium sound, 17" wheels, sun roof, cruise and A/C). With the 5 speed, it runs very well (not a race car), to include highway traffic with the A/C on - no problems!
1.8 Auto FWD
gordon k laurie, 07/27/2009
2005 Toyota Matrix Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
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 doesn't cancel with less than full turns (nuisance).