2013 Toyota Matrix Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$19,275 to $22,415

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.3

avg user rating

(3 reviews)
2013 Toyota Matrix Preview summaryImage

Falling further and further out of date, Toyota's hatchback-wagon crossover that pioneered the bigger-than-it-looks appeal gets standard stereo upgrades for 2013. Redesigned for 2009, the Matrix lost its sport-tuned XRS trim for 2011 without any significant changes since the redesign, aside from the influx of standard features brought on by the XRS discontinuation—and the Matrix's continued slump in sales says quite a bit about driver sentiment toward these non-changes. The fact is the Matrix just doesn't get anyone excited anymore, for better or for worse.

The numbers tell a story of a car past its prime, and driver reviews echo the same. Peaking just before the redesign, figures have fallen consistently year over year with the biggest drop just after the XRS left the building. Drivers say the Matrix is reliable and sturdy, it gets utility jobs done, big people have no problems getting in the rear bench and being comfortable, its style is nice enough and mileage of up to 26 mpg city/32 highway with the base 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder isn't too shabby either—but the exceptionally few drivers who got uppity enough to leave a review cry out for more driving excitement and certain cabin improvements.

The 2013 additions of a CD stereo featuring satellite, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity in the base L and the 6.1-inch touchscreen added to the top-shelf S are not what those drivers had in mind, but they probably don't hurt. Rather, drivers remind Toyota that they buy the Matrix for its utility, so an interior that visibly stains with a drop of sweat and roof rails set back so far they're difficult to use just don't seem to fit that utility bill. Some drivers are quite pleased with the Matrix's staidly steady steering and 4-cylinder acceleration so paltry it's not worth publishing, but let's just say it was Toyota's unintended consequence to help those drivers feel young again.

Serving up 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque from the base 1.8-liter powering the L, the 2.4-liter four-banger does a bit better, rated at 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, which noticeably improves off-the-line performance. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the norm, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for both, though it means taking a 4-speed automatic transmission instead of the 5-speed manual and 4- or 5-speed automatic otherwise available with FWD, depending on the model. The best economy comes out of the manual-equipped L for 26/32, an AWD S returning the worst figures of 20/26, with the FWD-automatic configuration being the best at sipping that regular fuel in the S for 21/29.

The Matrix's highlight is definitely a trunk capable of swallowing 19.8 cubic feet of stuff before utilizing the rear and passenger fold-flat seats to open up 61.5 cubes, or 49.4 cubes if you just lower the rear bench. Ride quality is pretty decent with a smooth tendency and little road noise, but taller drivers might find themselves a bit cramped in the cockpit. Otherwise the Matrix is a pretty solid car for most anyone's needs, albeit somewhat less exciting and/or fuel efficient than some of its more updated rivals.

Patricia Mayo
Published May 31, 2022 by Patricia Mayo
Your prototypical "Tom Girl" Patricia got her start digging into Ford engines before she aged into double digits. Gifted with a mechanical mind, her favorite pass-time in the summer is picking up a fixer-up'r at the local public auction and massaging its every ailment until it's primed for a new lover. From dirt bikes to land yachts, every partner offers something truly special in her love affair with the road - just don't tell her husband.

User reviews for 2013 Toyota Matrix

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User rating:
by Francisco M
Jun 20, 2022
I love this car and I am planning to buy itJun 20, 2022
by roosevelt g
Nov 30, 2021
This was a good purchase. Everything works as it shouldNov 30, 2021
by John L
Jul 23, 2021
They are fantastic cars if taken proper care of. Jul 23, 2021

2013 Toyota Matrix Pricing

Original MSRP
$19,275 to $22,415
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.1 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Roof rack color: black

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.9 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: lamp failure

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Roof rack color: black

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Roof rack color: black

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat folding: folds flat · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

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