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2012 Toyota Matrix Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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You could say the 2012 Toyota Matrix is a younger, sportier version of the Corolla. They both look very similar from the front and, in fact, share the same chassis, engine and transmission: a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with a 5-speed manual or automatic in the Base trim. Stepping up to the S beefs up the engine to a 2.4-liter with 158 hp instead of the 1.8's 132. But the Matrix is a wagon, not a sedan, and caters to a younger crowd that is seeking more thrills without wanting to jump into an SUV.
Stylistically speaking, the Matrix is just a tad snazzier than the aforementioned Corolla. It’s a little taller and narrower, but its smaller side and rear windows also cut into the Matrix’s visibility. It also has been called “lumpy” and “boxy,” and many people have preferred the exterior design of earlier models as opposed to its more recent 2011 refresh.
The Matrix's interior also tends to disappoint. The dashboard dials are encircled with an ugly border, and people have complained that the overall interior design feels and looks cheap. All models come with an AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary audio jack; a USB port and streaming SiriusXM audio are available as an upgrade.
The hatchback, with the seats folded down, does afford a lot of room, but in their upright position, the seats lack comfort. In the driver’s seat at least you’ll be comfy, although the ride itself tends to be noisy, sapping enjoyment for some (unless you upgrade the sound system to the 6-speaker option from the standard 4).
The biggest difference between this and the Corolla is that the Matrix’s S model offers 4WD. But is it worth it? Many say no. The pickup is slow in all versions, 4WD is available only with a 4-speed automatic, and the car's already minimal 26 mpg city/32 highway rating drops drastically to 21/29.
Safety features abound; as with all Toyotas, the Matrix comes with front and side airbags and front and rear crumple zones, which diffuse impact throughout its high-strength steel underpinnings. Antilock brakes and electronic stability control are also standard.
Basically, the source of many complaints is the Matrix’s price tag and lack of enviable standard features. True, power windows and mirrors, air conditioning and cruise control do come standard, but Bluetooth capability and a USB port are available only in the S trim. Comparable automobiles from other manufacturers tend to rate higher in all categories.
But the Matrix does fill a niche, albeit a small one, of a more rugged 4WD car married with the roominess of an SUV that won’t get you angry stares on the road. On the other hand, its low sales figures also reflect its lack of mass appeal.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2012 Toyota Matrix
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by Corchia P
Aug 09, 2024
Tha car is very very reliable, I had no problem with the mileage was very very and run great. I dont think it needs anything, everything works on it I mean everything. It did not leak any oil at all.Aug 09, 2024
by Ron K
Feb 17, 2022
The performance does not match up to the low KMs thats showing on the odometer, something is not right about this car. feels like driving a car that has appx 300000 plus kms on the motor and the transmission makes an odd whiney sound and very sluggish at 110 kms, Max speed on the highway. Suspension, steering, exterior, and interior in good condition.Feb 17, 2022
by Anonymous
Jul 25, 2021
So good deal I bought it on site drove it back home just loved it had a 2004 before wanted to stay with matrix Jul 25, 2021
User rating:
by Corchia P
Aug 09, 2024
Tha car is very very reliable, I had no problem with the mileage was very very and run great. I dont think it needs anything, everything works on it I mean everything. It did not leak any oil at all.Aug 09, 2024
by Ron K
Feb 17, 2022
The performance does not match up to the low KMs thats showing on the odometer, something is not right about this car. feels like driving a car that has appx 300000 plus kms on the motor and the transmission makes an odd whiney sound and very sluggish at 110 kms, Max speed on the highway. Suspension, steering, exterior, and interior in good condition.Feb 17, 2022
by Anonymous
Jul 25, 2021
So good deal I bought it on site drove it back home just loved it had a 2004 before wanted to stay with matrix Jul 25, 2021
by Anonymous
Dec 01, 2020
Good ergonomics, poor visibility to front and to rear due to high dash and wide rear pillars plus hatch. Good gas mileage, with engine a bit busy above 70mph. Good storage room for overall size. Obviously, comparable to Pontiac Vibe, same car with different badge and grille. Dec 01, 2020
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2012 Toyota Matrix Pricing
Original MSRP
$18,845 to $21,715Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & 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: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4
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: vinyl cargo area
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · 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: 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 trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
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 · Front seatbelts: 3-point · 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
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
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): rear
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 5
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 · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 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: vinyl cargo area
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 115V · 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 · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler 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
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: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · 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
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
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): rear
Tires
Diameter: 17 · Profile: 45 · Type: all season · Width: 215
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 5
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: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: vinyl cargo area
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 115V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · 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 spoiler 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
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 · 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
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
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: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Diameter: 17 · Profile: 45 · Type: all season · Width: 215
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent