The Toyota Matrix, sometimes known as the Toyota Corolla Matrix[1], is a small hatchback that was adapted from the Corolla and is produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario. The Matrix, which debuted in 2002 as a 2003 model, was the product of a partnership between Toyota and General Motors; the Pontiac Vibe, which was put together by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) in Fremont, California, served as GM’s contribution. [3]
The Matrix, which was marketed as a sporty hatchback rival to the North American Corolla and was officially sold there until it was withdrawn, was included in Toyota’s sales data as a submodel of the Corolla.
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The exterior sheetmetal and trim on the Matrix and Vibe were different, despite having almost similar mechanical and interior components. The crossover utility vehicle, or “CUV” as Toyota refers to it, is a small, tall station wagon that is marketed to a very young market group. [5] The term “sport wagon” is another prevalent name for this kind of vehicle.
The Matrix, which debuted in February 2002[6], saw a small makeover for the 2005 model year before undergoing a total redesign in 2008 for the 2009 model year to coincide with the release of the tenth generation Corolla. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, the United States and Canada stopped selling the Matrix. [Reference needed]
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Is the Toyota Matrix a trustworthy vehicle?
Good dependability ratings have been given to the Toyota Matrix. The Matrix received a strong 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from RepairPal. The Matrix received a comparable 4 out of 5 score from J.D. Power. The fact that the Matrix is essentially a Toyota Corolla with a bigger trunk may be responsible for its dependability.
What caused Toyota to stop producing Matrix?
Due to dismal sales, Toyota has removed the Matrix from its lineup for 2014. A Toyota executive admitted to Edmunds that the vehicle had an identity crisis. However, Toyota is looking into the prospect of introducing a five-door hatchback to the Corolla lineup.
What issues are there with Toyota Matrix?
The engine issue is one of its most serious problems. Numerous owners have reported hearing ticking or rattling noises emanating from the engine as well as excessive oil use. The Matrix engine simply gave out in the end. According to reports, this feared engine breakdown occurs at about 103,300 miles and costs $3,400 to fix.
Corolla or the Matrix: which is superior?
Both vehicles are excellent fuel savers and have a high resale value. They provide a variety of solutions to accommodate various needs. The Matrix offers more cargo capacity and legroom whereas the Corolla is substantially smaller and has less luggage space.
In other words, they perform nearly identically, but the difference is in the amount of cargo capacity and legroom. If you don’t need a lot of space, your decision is simple.
Because of declining sales, the Toyota Matrix was discontinued in the US market in 2013 and in Canada in 2014. Toyota kept promoting hatchbacks in North America under the Scion name. The Matrix was replaced as the new Corolla hatchback in 2017 by the Corolla IM. You now know what to search for if you’re attempting to obtain a very current Matrix but are having trouble finding it.
What is the expected lifespan of the Toyota Matrix?
The absolute most dependable engine ever created. A Matrix should last well over 300k miles if the maintenance regimen was followed from the beginning.
What comes in to replace the Toyota Matrix?
Former Matrix owners, when questioned about that Toyota car, typically express their appreciation for it and feel that the model was gone too soon. The Matrix model most likely met an early demise because Americans aren’t very fond of station wagons.
Toyota makes a comeback with the Corolla, a well-known brand, more than ten years after the Matrix passed away, expanding the lineup by one. Despite being larger and built on the company’s TNGA-C chassis, the Corolla Cross can be thought of as a contemporary rendition of the original Matrix. Size-wise, the vehicle is comparable to the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, or Hyundai Kona.
The styling is enticing and aesthetically beautiful. The inside has plenty of room and beautiful dimensions. Additionally, Toyota has dotted 24 Corolla Cross emblems throughout the interior of the car to symbolize the 24/7 commitment of the team that created the model.
Has the Toyota Matrix experienced transmission issues?
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Hello to Everyone. My understanding is that the transmission and engine of the Toyota Matrix, Toyota Corolla, and Pontiac Vibe are identical. Please be warned that these cars have a major transmission issue.
It appears that a lot of Matrix owners are experiencing issues with a bad transmission bearing, which forces an early replacement of the transmission. I think the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Corolla models might also be affected by this.
Our 2004 Toyota Matrix’s five-speed manual transmission needed to be replaced at 98,000 miles for a total of $3,100. There are other affected models besides the 2004, but I’m not sure which ones. I wrote the president of Toyota Motor Corp. North America in a certified letter. I was informed that I would not be compensated because there is no recall.
Before the affected owners’ lives are in risk due to an unexpected car breakdown on a 70 mph highway, it is critical to let them know about the issue. I experienced what happened.
There have been many cases of 5-speed Toyota Matrix gearbox failures because of faulty transmission bearings. A manual transmission shouldn’t need to be changed after 98,000 miles, in my opinion. It has occurred for some car owners at lower mileage. The regional manager of the repair facility I took it to said he had encountered this issue before and anticipates a recall. Toyota is not currently offering owners of Matrix compensation for this costly flaw.
What drives the timing on a Toyota Matrix—a belt or a chain?
There is no timing belt in this engine; instead, a maintenance-free timing chain is used. The 180-hp 1.8L 2ZZ-GE motor from the Toyota Celica is used in the sporty Matrix XRS, which is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. Both engines are dependable and simple to keep up.
Does the Toyota Matrix use little fuel?
For instance, the 2007 4 Cyl. Wagon 5D 2WD gets a combined gas economy of 33.0 miles per gallon, whereas the 2013 Wagon 5D S AWD 4 Cyl. trim model has a combined gas mileage of 23.0 miles per gallon (7.2 liters per 100 km) (10.4 liters per 100 km).
Depending on the trim and model year, the Toyota Matrix can achieve a city fuel economy of 7.8 miles per gallon (7.8 liters per 100 km) to 11.8 miles per gallon (11.8 liters per 100 km) and a highway fuel economy of 26 miles per gallon (6.5 liters per 100 km) to 36 miles per gallon (9.0 liters per 100 km).
For hybrid automobiles, the gas mileage displayed is the miles per gallon equivalent.
Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe are they the same?
Many buyers still find two compact automobiles that have been discontinued for some time to be appealing options, particularly small families on a budget who don’t require anything difficult but need something convenient.
Although they compare favorably to a number of current sub-compact SUVs, the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix do have an appealing design, dependable and efficient engines, a flexible interior, and a high level of equipment.
Is one preferable to the other? They share so many characteristics since they were jointly developed by Toyota and General Motors, so no, really. They could even be considered non-identical twins.
Even if their bodies are slightly different, the interior is identical—with the exception of the emblem on the steering wheel and a few accessories, of course! Driving is not made more difficult by their high front seats—in fact, it improves visibility—and their back seat offers plenty of space. Another point worth noticing is that the trunk floor is entirely made of plastic, making cleanup a breeze.
By the way, the Vibe was available in basic, GT, and AWD models, whereas the Matrix was commonly found in basic, XR, XRS, and AWD variations. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine in the simplest model produced 132 HP, while the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in the most advanced models produced 158 HP. Both all-wheel-drive systems were available as options.
Let’s not forget that the Matrix was a proudly Canadian product built in the Cambridge facility in Ontario, whereas the Vibe was put together in the NUMI plant in Fremont, California, despite the fact that they are two mechanically similar vehicles. But don’t worry, the job quality at these two plants was rated extremely well.
The Vibe is now sold for less money than the Matrix because Pontiac’s name and reputation are no longer as well-known. But even though some people continue to have this opinion, the first was actually made just as well as the second. Both cars are in excellent condition and have passed an inspection, so you can confidently choose between them.