Reliable engine, 28 mpg, can fit four persons comfortably. Hatchback is easy to load and unload. Good grocery getter. Easy to park with good visibility without any camera assistance. Middle console has easy to access compartment for storage. Molded cup holders for front seat passengers.
It should get better than twenty eight miles per gallon overall. Small four cylinder engine is lacking in power especially in passing situations, ie 50-700 miles per hour. Lost all four wheel covers which apparently is a common problem with matrix models as I have paid more attention to matrix models with missing wheel covers. Problem is due to poor design. I have also had all four plastic door handles crack and become inoperable. My car is not garaged but is parked outside in Florida sunshine. The ultraviolet rays have leached the plasticizers causing them to become brittle and crack. This is a simple and inexpensive fix. Toyota must simply improve the UV rating of the thermoplastic used in their door handles.
The 2011 Toyota Matrix has an average owner rating of 4.27 out of 5 which ranks it #13 of 26 other Compact SUVs.
Overall
Front
Rollover
Side
Moderate Overlap Front
Side
Roof Strength
Driver-side Overlap Front