Used 2006 Toyota Matrix Wagon Consumer Reviews
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2006 Matrix XR Manual-Front Wheel Drive
acf, 07/22/2010
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Bought new to replace a 1992 Tercel and accommodating a rear facing car seat. Bought the 5-speed because the automatic seemed sluggish. Back area is great for a dog. The performance of the front wheel drive (even with snow tires) is not stellar. I now live at the top of a hill in upstate NY and wish I bought the AWD. Great commuter car which gets > 30mpg on the highway. Comfortable enough for long trips. I would buy another (albeit in AWD).
Converted my Base Model Matrix
Jimmy, 04/09/2017
updated 10/10/2017
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Bought this car last year from an owner in Irvine, CA. It was bone stock, I didn't like the way it looked because it's a base model. The car did not come with rocker panels, rear bumper nor front bumper lip. I want to give a shoutout to Toyota for "prewiring" this car, meaning all modifications can be installed because there are wires hidden inside the chassis. You just have to find them. I was able to install OEM power mirrors, cruise control on my steering wheel, fog lights, and the 115v inverter. Really happy that finding parts was not a difficult task because the Matrix shares OEM parts with the Pontiac Vibe and the 9th gen Corollas. If you guys have any questions or want to know more about installations for this car, please join our "Toyota Matrix Enthusiasts/Owners page" on Facebook! Thanks for reading! 10/9/17, So here's an *UPDATE* on what I did to my Matrix. I replaced the stock suspension with lowering springs from Progress (drops 2.2 F and 2.2 R), bought a rear bumper with spoilers and rocker panels from a crashed XR, replaced the clear tail lights with the 03-04 OEM Red tail lights, OEM mudguards, and a Rhino Roof Rack. There's so much more I want to do on this car but I have to learn to save money before spending. Next installation: 03-04 XR front bumper.
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2006 Toyota Matrix silver base
Blake Cryderman, 04/27/2021
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Okay, I’ll try to be as absolutely honest as possible with my matrix review. We bought this car in August 2019, from the 2nd owner, originally from a car rental place from 2006 to 2008. It has 240,000 km on it as of now, and we did have to fix an oil leak by the timing cover in October 2020, and it will need exhaust work by the exhaust manifold. No big deal, because it is not severe. Aside from these 2 little issues, only done oil changes every 5,000 km. Just a dam solid car. Toyota quality. It probably got these 2 issues from sitting during covid quarantine. Our small mistake. But our family loves it, the backseat is very roomy, a 6 feet tall person can sit in the rear seat comfortably with the front seat all the way back. Very versatile as well, can haul a push mower with the rear seat folded flat. The passenger seat folds down as well, so you can use it as a table in a parking lot. And it’s really cool how the back glass opens as well, so you can haul long wood. The seats are really comfortable, although the 2009 matrix redesign made the seats much less comfortable, with less cargo room. Uncle has a 2005 matrix with 157,000 km, he loves the reliability. I do however, advise that matrix owners super glue the clips on their Toyota hubcaps, as they will fall off the car around the 100,000 kilometre mark. But worth it to super glue the clips, as they are good looking factory hubcaps. I’m really surprised to see some people complain about the interior quality. The less bells and whistles on a car, the less to break. People with reliability issues probably change the oil every 15,000 kilometres, not enough. They should do it every 5,000 km. MASSIVE shame that Toyota stopped making this car. Paint quality is good to. Ours had zero peeling clear coat even with no wax or protection for 14 years. Try getting that with a Chevy Cobalt. My full opinion on this car.
2006 XR, stick shift
Steve_Price, 05/25/2006
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Fun to drive, holds an unbelievable amount of stuff, sips gasoline. I haven't liked a new car this much since my 1965 Dodge Dart GT.
The zippiest little Toyota!
John Appleton, 12/27/2016
2006 Toyota Matrix XRS 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have a 2006 Toyota Matrix XRS. It is a rare trim of Matrix, not a lot were built. It is one of the best cars I have ever owned. We have the 6 speed manual, because it is just simply more fun in the XRS. We have done 0-60 m.p.h. in 6.5 seconds! That's crazy fast for this kind of car. My only complaint is the rear seat cushion comfort. Not bad but not the best. Front are amazing. Maybe a leather option ? Great car!!
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A Really Good Car!
Laurie, 11/03/2009
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have a manual XR & it easily gets 34 mpg city & 41 + on hwy. With the back seats down, it sure can haul a lot of stuff. I think this car is under-rated. I've not had a lick of major trouble, just usual mtce & oil changes, etc.
No rear a/c and poor driveability
smezbryant, 05/22/2009
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 24 people found this review helpful
No fun to drive! Plenty peppy for 4 cyl, but handling isn't fun. I got the base model which was a mistake--it didn't have basic safety like ABS or side curtain airbags. It's super cute on the outside, has good room in the backseat. Front cup holders are too skinny for most drinks.
Matrix Driver
flmthgrl, 01/10/2010
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon AWD (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Great little car, handles well in snow. fun to drive, but can be a bit of a noisy ride. Wish AWD version got better mileage. Even though this car is small, it is very adaptable with fold-down seats, hatchback etc.
Good Mule on Wheels
RichT, 11/29/2009
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have enjoyed driving and owning this Matrix as my driving needs are constantly evolving. It handles the highway and the city with a flexible response, plus it averages nothing less than 30mpg in mixed driving conditions. It has good room for 4 large adults and with the seats folded down, it can haul 30 cases of beer. Having driven it in the snow and bad weather, it never fails or complains.
Best car I ever bought for the money!
greg oloskey, 03/20/2016
2006 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
PLENTY of room, great gas mileage, extremely dependable! Nice looking.
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