2009 Toyota Matrix - Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings

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The 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix easily meets all safety benchmarks, thanks to its impressive crash-test scores and long list of standard features, as well as an affordable stability system for lower-end versions. TheCarConnection.com's research shows that this Toyota 2009 model is no longer behind the small-car curve in safety equipment.

In government-sponsored NHTSA testing, the 2009 Toyota Matrix earns a perfect five-star rating in three out of four impact tests, with the only blemish coming in the form of a four-star rating for side passenger impacts. Insurance-industry-sponsored IIHS tests yield similarly high scores for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix, with the vehicle earning the highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact categories.

In addition to a very strong report card from the crash-testing agencies, the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix offers an admirable list of safety features. Edmunds reviewers report that "every 2009 Toyota Matrix comes with antilock disc brakes, though the S and XRS have larger discs all around" than the base version. MyRide.com adds that this Toyota 2009 model features "standard front-side airbags and side-curtain airbags," while Cars.com notes that "all five seats have head restraints, and active head restraints are standard up front." One other major positive for the 2009 Toyota Matrix is the fact that, as Cars.com points out, "an electronic stability system runs an affordable $250—compare that to $450 on the Rabbit, $440 on the Caliber and $650 on the outgoing Matrix. The system is standard on the Matrix XRS."

With all the great safety news regarding the Toyota 2009 Matrix, you might be wondering why the vehicle doesn't score a perfect 10 in this category. The short answer is that, as TheCarConnection.com's editors point out, visibility can be frustrating. ConsumerGuide reviewers also notice this unfortunate trait, stating that "visibility is poor to the rear corners," which can create a serious safety problem during lane changes and other merging situations.