Toyota Matrix 2008–2014 car dimensions: 4365 mm long, 1765 mm wide and 1550 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,290 kg. Braked towing is 680 kg.
The cabin seats five with a driver-focused dash, Optitron gauges, tilt/telescopic wheel and cloth seats that include a fold-flat front passenger option on higher grades. Manual air conditioning with cabin filter and rear ducts is standard or packaged depending on market and trim. Cruise control is optional on base and S grades and standard on XRS. An optional touchscreen DVD navigation system is available on higher grades. No factory parking sensors, reversing camera or advanced driver aids such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning or lane keep appear in the equipment lists.
Cargo volume is 561 litres with rear seats up and expands to 1741 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, creating a long load floor. A tonneau cover is standard to hide items.
Towing capacity is rated at 680 kg. Vehicle capacity weight (occupants plus cargo) is 385 kg. The XRS grade adds sport-tuned suspension.
The hatchback layout with fold-flat seats and available 115 V outlet suits light hauling and everyday utility work, but no heavy-duty cooling package is listed.
The cabin seats five with redesigned cloth bucket seats that keep headroom despite the lower roofline. A tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat help set a comfortable driving position. Air conditioning with cabin filter and rear heater ducts is standard or available by grade. Split-folding rear seats create a flat load floor for cargo, and the interior includes multiple cup holders plus storage bins.
1.8L engine EPA 26 city/32 hwy mpg manual. 25/31 automatic
2.4L engine EPA 21 city/28-29 hwy mpg. AWD 20/26
Oil and filter every 5,000 miles or 6 months
NHTSA frontal 5 stars driver/passenger. side 5 driver/4 rear. rollover 4
IIHS Good in moderate-overlap front and side tests
Standard six airbags, ABS with EBD/Brake Assist, active front headrests, TPMS
Fuel economy favors the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder, returning EPA estimates of 26 mpg city and 32 highway with the five-speed manual or 25/31 with the four-speed automatic. The available 2.4-liter drops to 21/28 manual or 21/29 automatic, and all-wheel-drive versions rate 20/26. Both engines use regular unleaded and a 13.2-gallon tank.
Toyota schedules maintenance every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Each visit includes engine oil and filter replacement plus tire rotation. Additional inspections cover brakes, fluids, and underbody components at longer intervals. cabin and engine air filters are replaced as needed based on conditions.
Every Matrix carries dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, and side-curtain airbags for both rows, plus active front headrests and three-point belts with pretensioners at all seats. Four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and Brake Assist is standard. Vehicle Stability Control and traction control were optional in 2009 and became standard later in the generation. NHTSA awarded 5 stars in frontal tests and solid side/rollover scores. IIHS rated the car Good in its main crash evaluations.
The Matrix is built for straightforward ownership with durable mechanicals and easy access for routine work. Follow the oil-change schedule, rotate tires regularly, and address any recalls promptly to keep the car reliable over high mileage.
Length 4365 mm, Width 1765 mm, Height 1550 mm, Wheelbase 2600 mm (Matrix 2008–2014)
Sources: manufacturer data, Toyota Canada 2014 Matrix brochure and 2009 Matrix specifications, Wikipedia and engine references.