2005 Toyota Matrix Review
Price Estimate: $1,379 - $2,295





+35
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Versatile cargo area, roomy rear seats, good gas mileage, generous standard equipment list, availability of all-wheel drive and stability control.
Cons
- Modest torque output, less fun to drive than its styling suggests.
What’s new
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.
Edmunds says
Versatile and affordable, the Matrix is the best compact wagon for hauling people and cargo in its price class.
For sale near Wenatchee, WA
49 listings
- 104,815 miles
- Insurance loss reported, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 26 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- IRYDE Auto Sales (89 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Kent, WA
One owner Manual transmission Low mile 104k Year: 2005 Make: Toyota Model: Matrix Series: XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L I4 4A) Condition: Used Mileage: 104815 Ex...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (26 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2T1KR32E25C398141
Stock: 398141
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-01-2025- $4,900good price$398 below market
- 174,306 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 31 Hwy MPG
- Ascend Motors (94 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Puyallup, WA
Clean Title, 3 Owners, 23 Service Records
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (25 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2T1KR32E55C394231
Stock: 1284
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-15-2025
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$189/mo for Matrix Base
Matrix Base
vs
$217/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Toyota Matrix Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great Car
5 out of 5 starsGreg, 07/05/2008
2005 Toyota Matrix AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
This may be the best car I've ever owned. Very well designed from an ergonomic standpoint. I now have 147000 miles on it and haven't spent a nickel on it for maintenance beyond the obvious (oil changes, brakes, tires and the like). I check my gas mileage at every fill-up, that being my "thing," and get 30mpg if I have been throwing caution to the wind, and upwards to 33 mpg if I slow … down; most of my driving is on the highway. It isn't the quietest car I have been in but it is comfortable. I do find I have to be quite careful to look backwards for a blind spot. However in this age of craving hybrids, this is a great car with the standard internal combustion engine.
This car will outlive me
5 out of 5 starsWilliam , 09/02/2020
2005 Toyota Matrix Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
Bought this car used 10 years ago. Its a standard .240,000 KM . Use it to pull a trailer and a boat . Does everything its supposed to . Living in NE Ontario it handles the winters without any problems . After 15 years it still looks good No rust . Im 72 and seriously think it will outlive me .
a reliable, versatile and cost effective car
4 out of 5 starsMark Daniel, 02/06/2018
2005 Toyota Matrix Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I've now had my Toyota Matrix for 12+ years, after buying it brand new back in the summer of 2005, and it has ended up being one of the best cars I've had yet. It has been very reliable overall, with the usual periodic maintenance you might expect. I've been regular and consistent with changing the oil and fluids approx. every 5,000 miles and I'm sure that has helped. This car has also … been very fuel efficient for both highway and city driving. I could often get 300+ miles on a full tank. My only complaint with this car is that it doesn't always have a lot of power or acceleration, but that's the obvious trade off for this type of car. You're not buying a car like this to win any street races. I think the best feature is the amount of cargo space. If you fold down the back seats and the front passenger seat, you can fit an incredible amount of stuff in here. This makes it an ideal car for long road trips or even on moving day. The Toyota Matrix is a solid, dependable, versatile and economical car that, if you take care of it, will serve you well for many years.
Amazing Toyota product
4 out of 5 starsBecerro, 10/26/2015
2005 Toyota Matrix XR Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
It's a toyota,great car we have 230,000 miles and still putting mileson it,just oil changes and brake pads,that's. It.
2005 Matrix Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,860 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $189/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.8 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Matrix include:
- Tire Pressure Warning
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
Related Used 2005 Toyota Matrix info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Mercedes Benz GLS Class 2021 Review
- Lincoln Continental 2020 Review
- Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 2020 Review
- Kia Niro Ev 2021 Review
- Ram Promaster Cargo Van 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
- Dodge Durango 2024
- 2024 F-450 Super Duty
- New GMC Sierra 3500HD
- 2024 V8
- 2024 Audi RS 6
- 2025 Chevrolet Express Cargo News
- New Ford E-Transit Cargo Van
- 2026 Ford E-Transit Cargo Van News
- New Ford F-350
Research other models of Toyota
- 2024 Grand Highlander
- 2024 Land Cruiser
- New Toyota BZ
- 2024 Toyota Prius
- Toyota Sequoia 2024
- New Toyota 4Runner
- 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross
- New Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2025 Tacoma
- Toyota GR86 2025
Other models
- New BMW X4 for Sale in Chicago, IL
- Used Kia Telluride in Anderson, SC 2025
- New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for Sale in Columbus, NE
- Used Chevrolet Prizm in Miami, FL 2002
- Used Mitsubishi Endeavor in Homewood, IL 2011
- New Ram 2500 for Sale in Quincy, MA
- Used Hyundai Santa-Fe in Southington, CT 2026
- New Kia Niro-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in North Fort Myers, FL
- New Toyota Mirai for Sale in Pikeville, KY
- Used Saturn Astra in New Brunswick, NJ 2008