CTC Review: 2009 Toyota Matrix

[CD_Editor]

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The 2009 Toyota Matrix is a complete redesign of Toyota’s version of the small hatchback platform it shares with GM (which also serves as the basis for the Pontiac Vibe).  The Toyota Matrix is designed exclusively for the North American market, despite being based off of the global Toyota Corolla architecture.  The Matrix is also built in Ontario – talk about blurring the lines of import versus domestic! More...

[stodge]

Somewhat disappointing review; this was one of the vehicles we would look at next.

[Alex MacLean]

I'm not surprised by the noise and tinny doors. I drove my friends Yaris home the other day after he was drinking and you could head every grain of dust the dit the bottom of the car. It was a decent vehicle, and I know it was a sub compact, but still, it made the vehicle seem like a complete pile, when it really wasn't. Toyota has not figured out how to cheaply insulate their small vehicles...

[carcrazed]

The lack of heated seats in Matrix alone turns me off about this car.

[Blueprint]

The review sounds like the impression I got from test-driving a 2009 Corolla.  It felt so "old", both in ergonomics and tinny feel / rattles.  The Sentra I finally got rides like a bimmer by comparion, and so did the Civic I test-drove.

[tortoise]

Interesting.  I recently rode in a friends 97 corolla with 250,000 km.  Not a rattle to be heard.

[Cortina]

I've only drove the previous matrix. It was a pleasant car and seam to drive quiet sporty. I didn't mine the route master driving position which had high up mini van feel and I like the easiness to fold the back seat down and the hard plastic floor which would have been great for my messy dog.

What I didn't like was.

The shiny silver plastic on the dash and doors. Because when the sun hit the dash and doors. The sliver plastic glinted too much and made my eyes squint. Nor did I like any of the other plastics.  I wasn't keen on the dash board, Looking down little tunnels to see the dials. No change there I see.

Also I kept thinking that a Vibe is better to buy.  B/C you were paying extra for the Toyota badge. Resale on this rare occasion is about the same as GM's vibe. I feel I have point out that, Matrix's seam to sell for a lot less than a Corolla same model year. I've seen this on a number of occasion. I drove a MK8 Civic the next day and never looked back.

I do think Toyota and Honda have slip on the quality of the plastics. when you compare a MK7 Civic to a MK8, Same with the Toyota's. 

[Bullet Blue]

I wasn't impressed at all with the new Matrix when I was looking. Way better cars out there for the money

[quadzilla]

I've only drove the previous matrix. It was a pleasant car and seam to drive quiet sporty.

   If you call the prev Matrix sporty my wagon must be next to Porsche for sportiness then. When I drove one I almost got sea sick from all the pitching back and forth.

[Cortina]

I've only drove the previous matrix. It was a pleasant car and seam to drive quiet sporty.

   If you call the prev Matrix sporty my wagon must be next to Porsche for sportiness then. When I drove one I almost got sea sick from all the pitching back and forth.

Drive all the other Toyota's is all I can say in my defense. 

[carcrazy]

I thought it's well known that the rattles come standard on most new Toyota vehicles.

[chrischasescars]

^^^ I drove the same car James did the week previous to his drive and spent seven days listening to a rattle that sounded like something was broken in behind the stereo/HVAC controls. I blamed on the cold (it was in the -20s most of the week), but my beater makes less noise than this Matrix did. My review will show up on the site in the next week or two.

[CSH]

I have rattles coming from my 07 camry about 6 months after i got it. It is less in summer and a lot more in winter but its still there.
I rented a subcompact for a week early this year and they gave me a almost brand new yaris sedan (about 3500kms on the odo).  It was rattling too.

Toyota interior quality has deteriorated a lot in the last few years, i am hoping thay they have not lowered the quality of the the mechanicals.
I bought this car to be used as a appliance and hoping i get trouble free driving experience for atleast 10 years.

[Rupert]

We considered the Yaris when we were looking for a small car and I still like them but we opted for the Accent 4 door and after three years and going on 50,000km not a rattle from body or suspension. Still seems new to me. Would buy again but like the Fit concept. Or maybe a new Accent and remove the rear seat and modify the deck to give a flat surface up to the the front seats in the full back location. The latter course would be cheaper but would have to store the seat.

[johngenx]

We lucked out with our Corolla.  After close to 30K, it's drum tight.  I thought we had a bad rattle in the dash near the driver's door, but then I discovered that the change holder has no felt lining and it was some change banging around in it.

[bmorton]

Our '06 RAV4 is still solid as well, which has been a pleasant surprise. Rattles or squeaks drive me nuts, and this is the first car I've owned where I haven't needed to work on parts of the interior to try and get rid of a noise. I hope the Canadian RAV4 plant is building new ones as tight as ours is.

[carcrazy]

We lucked out with our Corolla.  After close to 30K, it's drum tight.  I thought we had a bad rattle in the dash near the driver's door, but then I discovered that the change holder has no felt lining and it was some change banging around in it.

It's the same in my car. I cannot understand why the manufacturers cannot spend few pennies to line the coin holders, all the storage bins and grab handles for that matter.

[Schmengie]

^^^^ What would it cost to line the coin holders and storage bins with some soft rubber that stops things from rattling around and can be wiped clean easily? Not much IMO.

Except for that, my Versa's tight as a drum, no rattles even with the -25 temps we had a few weeks ago. Amazingly, my mother's '94 Corolla is the same, not one squeak or rattle. The interior still looks brand new - I wonder if you'll be able to say that about the current crop in 15 years.

[ovr50]

Agreed, the coin holders are a PITA. I always buy some adhesive-backed felt and line them myself.

Other than that tho, our '05 HL has been/continues to be tight as a drum at almost 4 years and about 53k clicks. No squeaks, rattles or groans.

Some of the newer models (Matrix being one) do seem to have a lot of hard plastic today, but it seems most cars in this price range do as well.

[adhregina]

I would get the Pontiac Vibe.  Better deal, warranty and more features.  I have an 2004 Vibe AWD and considering purchasing a second car... likely, the base Vibe with Traction Control, etc.  I have snow tires and rims as well.  Never had a problem!   The Vibe wins hands down!  A few rattles here and there but the Matrix is same.