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By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
Performance-oriented drivers will enjoy the 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS trim level’s combination of precise steering feel, sports-tuned suspension and grippy ultra-high-performance all-season tires. Rear seats in all models easily accommodate two adults, or the seats can be folded to provide a large cargo area.
The Matrix transmits a surprisingly high amount of road and tire noise into the cockpit. Two of its tire choices — the high-performance and touring all-season tires – seemed noisier than the ultra-high-performance rubber on the XRS.
New coupe-like styling better fits the youthful, sporty appeal of the 2009 Matrix. Standard is a new 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which is up by six horsepower over the previous powerplant. Upper trim levels have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower. The XRS and the S with all-wheel drive have independent rear suspension.
The 2009 Toyota Matrix offers a sporty, but practical and reasonably priced alternative to either mundane sub-compact cars or bulky crossover SUVs. Released as an early 2009 model, the new Matrix gets more appealing styling, an optional 158-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, crisper steering feel and more precise handling. The performance-oriented XRS trim level returns, as does optional all-wheel drive. As with the previous Matrix, there’s plenty of room for four adults and the rear seats fold down to create a flat, voluminous cargo area. Main competitors for the Matrix include the MAZDA3, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic and the Matrix’ fraternal twins, the Toyota Corolla and Pontiac Vibe, which are all built in the same Canadian factory.
Used 2009 Toyota Matrix pricing starts at $6,088 for the Matrix Sport Wagon 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $17,950 when new. The range-topping 2009 Matrix XRS Sport Wagon 4D starts at $7,419 today, originally priced from $21,320.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$17,950 | $6,088 | |||
$20,285 | $6,271 | |||
$21,320 | $7,419 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2009 Toyota Matrix models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
Each trim level of the 2009 Toyota Matrix has its own significantly different feel and performance. The base model is focused more on economy and functionality than driving excitement. The S trim level, which will be the sales leader, has a slightly more sporty suspension and steering tuning and the 158-horsepower 2.4-liter engine; the handling is responsive and acceleration is decidedly peppy. The XRS is a serious performer with taut, sport-tuned suspension, precise steering and high-performance tires. The electric power steering system allows easy tuning for different levels of steering feel, and also helps performance and fuel economy by dismissing with the traditional engine belt drive and hydraulic pump. Unless you regularly encounter snowy conditions, the 2.4-liter engine does not produce enough power to make the all-wheel-drive option worth the cost and extra weight.
Despite its sporty exterior, the 2009 Matrix is an extremely practical sub-compact. The rear seats comfortably accommodate two full-sized adults. There’s more than plenty of headroom both front and rear and legroom has been increased. The rear seats fold forward to create a flat cargo floor that will swallow large amounts of gear; however, the restyling cut about two cubic feet from the cargo volume. The front passenger’s seat folds flat and can be employed as a computer table or to carry longer cargo. The high front seating position provides excellent visibility, and all trim levels have supportive sport seats.
The previous Toyota Matrix reminded some of a miniature minivan or station wagon, which turned off a number of potential buyers. For 2009, in addition to making it slightly longer and wider, Toyota stylists eliminated the third side window, significantly expanded the C-pillar and wrapped the back glass around the sides, thus giving it a sportier coupe-like appearance. The XRS gets even more aggressive styling, including a front underbody spoiler, a rear roof spoiler and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
XRS Trim
Sport-tuned suspension, excellent steering feel, grippy 18-inch tires and a 158-horsepower engine turn the 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS into a terrific little car for the enthusiast driver on a budget.
Generous Rear Cargo Space
Fold down the rear seats of the 2009 Toyota Matrix and its flat cargo floor can hold a bunch of camping gear, back-to-college supplies or boxes and books for moving day.
The 2009 Toyota Matrix comes in three trim levels: Base, S and the sporty XRS. All have four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and front, front-side and full-length side-curtain airbags. The base model has a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, while the S and XRS have a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter version. The base and S versions have 16-inch steel wheels, the XRS has 18-inch aluminum rims and XRS and S versions have larger front and rear disc brakes. Other standard equipment includes Lexus-style Optitron gauges, an auxiliary input jack and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The S and XRS have a 115-volt AC outlet that accepts three-prong plugs.
Electronic stability control is optional on the base and S models and standard on the XRS. Available on the S and XRS trim levels are a navigation system that’s more affordable to fit the Matrix market and a JBL seven-speaker audio system with a six-disc CD changer. All-wheel-drive is available, but only on the S model and only with the 2.4-liter engine and four-speed automatic. Optionally available are 16-inch aluminum wheels for the base model and 17-inchers for the S trim, fitted with either touring or high-performance all-season tires.
Standard on the 2009 Toyota Matrix is a new 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The S and XRS models have a 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The 2.4-liter engine employs variable timing on both exhaust and intake valves to produce both responsive acceleration and good fuel economy. All-wheel drive is available only with the S trim level with the automatic transmission. In normal operation, the AWD system sends all the power to the front wheels, but when slip is detected the electronically-controlled center differential diverts up to 45 percent of the torque to the rear. Base and non-AWD S models have a beam rear axle, while the XRS and AWD versions have independent rear suspension.
1.8-liter in-line 4
132 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/32 (manual), 25/31 (automatic)
2.4-liter in-line 4
158 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 (manual), 21/29 (five-speed automatic), 20/26 (four-speed automatic, AWD)
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 2865 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 94.0 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 13.2 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 40.5 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 41.6 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Minimum Ground Clearance | 5.8 inches | ||
Overall Length | 171.9 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 53.3 inches | ||
Towing Capacity, Maximum | 1500 lbs. | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 61.5 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 102.4 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 69.5 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
Privacy Glass | Available | ||
Roof Rails | Available | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
City | 25 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 31 mpg | ||
Combined | 28 mpg |
Drivetrain | FWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
4 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Regular |
Horsepower | 132 @ 6000 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 128 @ 4400 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter |
Basic | 3 years / 36000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 5 years / Unlimited miles |
Used 2009 Toyota Matrix | Used 2011 Volkswagen Jetta | Used 2011 Hyundai Elantra | Used 2009 Kia Rondo | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $6,510 | $6,004 | $5,929 | $5,920 | |
KBB.com Rating | N/A | 3.3 | 3.7 | N/A | |
Consumer Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.4 | |
Fuel Economy | City 25/Hwy 31/Comb 28 MPG | City 24/Hwy 31/Comb 27 MPG | City 23/Hwy 30/Comb 26 MPG | City 20/Hwy 27/Comb 22 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | |
Basic Warranty | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 5 years or 60000 miles | 5 years or 60000 miles | |
Horsepower | 132 @ 6000 RPM | 170 @ 5700 RPM | 138 @ 6000 RPM | 162 @ 4000 RPM | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 5-Cyl, PZEV, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
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