2005 TOYOTA MATRIX NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Toyota Matrix?
The upgrade wand touches the 2005 Toyota Matrix this year, with a new front fascia, revised fog lamps, and a fresh set of rear light lenses. Standard and XR models now offer optional vehicle stability control when equipped with the automatic transmission, and all 2005 Matrix models benefit from a tire pressure monitoring system. The power door locks are now linked to the gear selector on automatic-equipped vehicles, locking when "Drive" is engaged and unlocking when "Park" is selected.

Advantages of the 2005 Toyota Matrix:

• Roomy and versatile interior
• Handling with the XRS model
• Available all-wheel-drive

Objections to the 2005 Toyota Matrix:

• Peaky power delivery with XRS model
• Difficult-to-discern gates with manual transmission
• Overwhelmed engine when matched to all-wheel-drive

Editor's Advice:
Co-developed with General Motors but using hardware primarily sourced from Toyota, the 2005 Matrix is a solid, functional, crossover vehicle that can serve many needs at once. Its primary downfall is its powertrain selection. Standard and XR models could use more oomph, especially when equipped with all-wheel-drive, while the sporty Matrix XRS must be revved hard to make its maximum 170 horsepower. We'd like to see a compromise between extremes under the hood, something with 160 horsepower and decent enough torque to launch the Matrix with spirit. As it stands, the 2005 Toyota Matrix XRS is an impressive handler, able to carve a canyon with surprising verve. Despite gripes associated with the engines, we recommend the 2005 Toyota Matrix if a crossover SUV-wagon thingamabob is what you're looking for. Don't like the styling? The 2005 Pontiac Vibe is the same vehicle with a different look, and you can equip the Vibe's base engine with a supercharger to create a vehicle that represents that "compromise between extremes."