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Which year to buy
Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest
Newest we'd buy2012The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2010Far more serious problems than usual
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2013
- Speakers: 4 → 6 (L)
2013 Matrix trims
| L | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | ||
| Horsepower | 132 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 128 lb-ft | 162 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic: ECT-i 5-Speed Manual: — | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: ECT-i FWD 5-Speed Manual: — |
| Gears | 4-Speed Automatic: 4 5-Speed Manual: 5 | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 4 FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 5 FWD 5-Speed Manual: 5 |
| Drivetrain | 4-Speed Automatic / 5-Speed Manual | AWD 4-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Manual |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 4-Speed Automatic: 28 mpg 5-Speed Manual: 29 mpg | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 22 mpg FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 24 mpg FWD 5-Speed Manual: 24 mpg |
| Size and capability | ||
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo behind last row | 19.8 cu ft | 19.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 49.4 cu ft | 49.4 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 5.8 in | 5.3 in |
| Length | 171.9 in | 171.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4-Speed Automatic: 2,888 lb 5-Speed Manual: 2,844 lb | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 3,274 lb FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 3,053 lb FWD 5-Speed Manual: 2,976 lb |
| Tech | ||
| Touchscreen | — | 6.1 in |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth |
| Exterior | ||
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (43)
| L | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Package | Optional | Optional |
| 5-speed Electronically Controlled automatic (ECT-i) | — | Optional |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with active torque control | — | Optional |
| Body Side Moldings $209 | — | — |
| Emergency Assistance Kit | — | — |
| Exhaust Tip $180 | — | — |
| Paint Protection Film $395 | — | — |
| Rear Bumper Protector $89 | — | — |
| Remote Engine Starter $499 | — | — |
| Roof Rack | — | — |
| TRD Performance Air Filter | — | — |
| TRD Air Filter Cleaning Kit | — | — |
| TRD clutches | — | — |
| TRD Forged Oil Cap | — | — |
| TRD Front Strut Brace | — | — |
| TRD Lowering Springs | — | — |
| TRD Oil Filter | — | — |
| TRD Performance Brake Pads | — | — |
| TRD Radiator Cap | — | — |
| TRD Rear Sway Bar | — | — |
| TRD Wheel Installation Kit | — | — |
| Vehicle Intrusion Protection (VIP) RS3200 Plus Security System | — | — |
| Alloy Wheel Locks $67 | — | — |
| Ashtray Cup | — | — |
| Auto-Dimming Mirror | — | — |
| Cargo Net — Spider | — | — |
| Cargo Tote $49 | — | — |
| Carpet Cargo Mat | — | — |
| Carpet Floor Mats $299 | — | — |
| Doorsill Enhancements | — | — |
| First Aid Kit $29 | — | — |
| 17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P215/45R17 87W tires | — | — |
| TRD 18-in. 5-spoke wheels | — | — |
| TRD 19-in. 5-spoke wheels | — | — |
| Barcelona Red Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Black Sand Pearl | Optional | Optional |
| Classic Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Magnetic Gray Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Nautical Blue Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Spruce Mica | Optional | Optional |
| Super White | Optional | Optional |
| Ash | Optional | Optional |
| Dark Charcoal | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 5 | Air bags (4) | — |
| 2011 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 10 | Air bags (10) | — |
| 2010 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–28 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 45 | Air bags (27) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 5 |
| 2012 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 5 |
| 2011 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 10 |
| 2011 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 10 |
| 2010 | Toyota Matrix 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 45 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2012 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2011 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2010 | Matrix | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–28 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.