DecodedCars2012 Toyota Matrix
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon AWD, 4dr Wagon FWD Base, 4dr Wagon FWD Xrs
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 132 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 26 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 172–172.8 in
- Curb weight
- 2,844–3,274 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2012 small station wagon (24.7 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 132 hp, versus about 76 hp for similar 2012 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints5 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 43 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Toyota Matrix is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (1.8L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 172 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,274 lb (4dr Wagon AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 32 highway), 17% better than the 2012 small station wagon average of 24.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Matrix — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Matrix →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2012 Matrix configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Wagon AWD | 172 in | 69.7 in | 61.4 in | 102.4 in | 59.8 / 59.8 in | 3,274 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Wagon FWD Base | 172 in | 69.7 in | 61 in | 102.4 in | 59.8 / 59.8 in | 2,844 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Wagon FWD Xrs | 172.8 in | 69.7 in | 61.4 in | 102.4 in | 59.8 / 59.8 in | 3,075 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matrix | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 32 / 29 | +17% | $2,300 | 306 |
| Matrix | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 31 / 27 | +9% | $2,500 | 329 |
| Matrix | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -3% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Matrix | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | -3% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Matrix | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | -11% | $3,050 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota Matrix.
Similar 2012 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Matrix (this car) | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Nissan Juke | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Scion xB | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota Prius v | 41 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Dodge Caliber | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Kia Rondo | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jan 17, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Not every 2012 Toyota Matrix is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Toyota Matrix buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 135,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Matrix. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Matrix years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Matrix | 29 | 172 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 Matrix | 29 | 172 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2010 Matrix | 28 | 172 in | Not rated | 4 | 33 |
| 2009 Matrix | 28 | 172 in | Not rated | 3 | 86 |
| 2008 Matrix | 29 | – | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2007 Matrix | 29 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 41 |
| 2006 Matrix | 29 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 52 |
| 2005 Matrix | 29 | 171.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 84 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →