2005 Toyota Matrix

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/05/2004 (7822 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TOYOTA has slightly revised the appearance and pricing of its Matrix station wagon model for the 2005 model year.

As Toyota Canada puts it, “small price increases combine with thoughtful upgrades to comfort, convenience and safety features, making Matrix a better value than ever before.”

On the outside, Matrix gets a new grille, revised front bumpers, and clear taillights. On the inside, there’s new seat material, redesigned controls, UV protection on the windows, and sliding visors.

According to Tony Wearing, the managing director of the Toronto-based firm, standard equipment upgrades across the lineup also add front passenger airbags with status indicator and an engine immobilizer.

So on the 2005 Matrix Base FWD (front wheel drive) model, the added equipment has what Wearing says is a $490 value, but the sticker price increases by only $180, to $16,925.

The Matrix is built in Toyota’s assembly plant in Cambridge, Ont., and is a twin of the Pontiac Vibe, and both of those models are essentially a station wagon version of the Toyota Corolla compact sedan.

Again in 2005, Matrix will be sold in front-wheel-drive Base, XR and XRS trim levels, and all-wheel-drive in Base and XR. While the front-drive Matrix Base is $16,925, pricing goes up to $22,580 for the all-wheel-drive model.

A front-drive Matrix XR starts at $21,185, while an all-wheel-drive XR starts at $24,550. All of those models come with a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic is optional.

The XRS only comes in front-drive and only gets a six-speed manual shifter, and it retails for $25,560.

According to Wearing, with the added standard equipment the result is a net price decrease across the model range.

The Base and XR models run on a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 130 hp at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque in the front-drive models. In all-wheel-drive versions, the numbers drop to 123 and 118, though they peak at the same rpm level.

Matrix XRS uses a VVT-i version of the same engine and generates 170 hp at 7,600 rpm. According to Wearing, this version of engine is equipped with variable valve timing that “opens up a new area of performance from 6,000 rpm to the 8,400 rpm redline.”

The Matrix and Matrix XR are equipped with standard front ventilated disc brakes and rear drums, while the XRS comes with solid disc anti-lock brakes at all corners with Electronic Brake Force Distribution.

ABS is standard on the all-wheel-drive models and optional on the front-drive XR FWD, and every all-wheel-drive Matrix gets a standard tire pressure monitoring system.

Wearing notes that every 2005 Matrix features a specially designed sliding track cargo system integrated into the rear floor, split rear seatbacks, a front passenger seat that folds completely flat, eight steel tie-down rings, additional tie-down hooks on the load floor, and a rear glass hatch that opens separately from the main cargo hatch.

The Base Matrix also includes an AM/FM/CD audio system, Optitron tachometer, outside temperature and dual trip odometers, a tilt-adjust three-spoke steering wheel, accessory power outlets, storage compartments beside and under the cargo area, flip-up rear hatch glass with electric defroster and intermittent wiper/washer, and two exterior mirrors.

Buyers of the front-drive Base model may add a “B” package of options that includes 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, wheel locks, air conditioning with clean air filter, power door locks, keyless entry with hatch release, and illuminated entry. On Base models fitted with an automatic transmission, the “B” package also includes door lock shift activation.

Standard equipment on the Matrix XR includes air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, illuminated entry, cruise control, and body-coloured mirrors, door handles and side skirts.

The "B" option package available for the front-drive XR includes the tire pressure monitor, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and P215/50R17 all-season tires, anti-lock brakes, a power moonroof and fog lamps. The “B” package for the all-wheel-drive Matrix XR consists of a power moonroof, coloured full skirt package and fog lamps.

Matrix XRS comes with the tire-pressure monitoring system, an upgraded audio system with six-disc CD changer and six speakers, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a full exterior skirt package, fog lamps, a power tilt and sliding moonroof, a tire pressure monitoring system, 17-inch alloy wheels with wheel locks

Matrix is provided with Toyota’s no-deductible, no-transfer fee, comprehensive warranty that covers the entire vehicle for three years or 60,000 km.

–DIL Auto News Service