Hyundai Matrix

Hyundai Matrix: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Hyundai Matrix choice comes down to three priorities. For performance, the 1.8 MT is the strongest option at 122 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds. For the lowest measured fuel consumption, choose a 102 hp or 110 hp 1.5 MT diesel, both rated at 5.4 l/100 km combined.

The Hyundai Matrix choice comes down to three priorities. For performance, the 1.8 MT is the strongest option at 122 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds. For the lowest measured fuel consumption, choose a 102 hp or 110 hp 1.5 MT diesel, both rated at 5.4 l/100 km combined. For buyers who want a Gasoline engine with Automatic transmission, the 1.6 AT uses less fuel than the 1.8 AT where both have measured figures, although the 1.8 AT is quicker. Every Matrix listed here is a Mini 5-doors model with FWD, and the catalogue covers one generation in three production stages from February 2001 through December 2010.

Hyundai Matrix generations and restylings

The original 1 generation ran from February 2001 through January 2005. It had the Mini 5-doors body and six versions: two diesel 1.5 MT specifications, plus 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT Gasoline versions.

The 1 generation, restyling covered February 2005 through May 2008. It retained the Mini 5-doors body and the same six version names. Its catalogue figures largely match those of the earlier stage. The listed compression ratio for both 1.8 versions changed from 10.1 to 10, while the recorded 1.6 AT acceleration time changed from 13.1 to 14.2 seconds. The restyling data also places the 1.8 engine’s 122 hp peak at 6000 rpm.

The 1 generation, restyling 2 ran from June 2008 through December 2010, again as a Mini 5-doors model with six versions. The 82 hp, 3-cylinder 1.5 MT disappeared, while the diesel selection comprised 102 hp and 110 hp, 4-cylinder 1.5 MT versions. The Gasoline range continued with 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. The later 1.8 specifications list 1795 cm³ rather than 1796 cm³, and peak power arrives at 5500 rpm rather than 6000 rpm.

Hyundai Matrix engine specs

Power density helps compare engines of different capacities. Based on the stated displacement and output, the 110 hp 1.5 MT produces about 73.7 hp per litre, the 102 hp 1.5 MT about 68.3 hp per litre, the 1.6 versions about 64.4 hp per litre, the 1.8 versions about 67.9 hp per litre, and the 82 hp 1.5 MT about 54.9 hp per litre.

The 102 hp and 110 hp diesel versions share the highest torque figure, 235 Nm. That is 73 Nm more than the 1.8 Gasoline versions and 94 Nm more than the 1.6 Gasoline versions. The later 110 hp 1.5 MT delivers the same 235 Nm at 1900 rpm, while the 102 hp version reaches it at 2000 rpm.

Hyundai Matrix performance and fuel economy

The performance case for Manual transmission is clear in the paired Gasoline versions. In the latest stage, 1.6 MT is 1.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than 1.6 AT and consumes 0.3 l/100 km less combined. The 1.8 MT is 1.4 seconds quicker than 1.8 AT, reaches a top speed 14 km/h higher and uses 0.6 l/100 km less combined.

The later 110 hp 1.5 MT improves on the 102 hp diesel by 0.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 6 km/h in top speed without changing any of its measured consumption figures. By contrast, the 82 hp 1.5 MT needs 3.6 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and consumes 0.6 l/100 km more combined than the 102 hp diesel.

Hyundai Matrix dimensions, weight and wheel sizes

All listed versions have 160 mm of ground clearance and a 55-litre fuel tank. Overall exterior length and width are not measured in the supplied specifications. Wheel sizes are also not measured for most versions; the June 2008–December 2010 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT list 195/55 R15 and 185/65 R14.

Kerb weight ranges from 1225 kg for the original and first-restyled 1.6 MT to 1370 kg for the 82 hp 1.5 MT. Gross weight ranges from 1800 to 1840 kg. The lightest power-to-weight burden belongs to the 1225 kg 1.6 MT at approximately 11.9 kg per hp. The 1.8 MT is about 11.1 kg per hp at 1358 kg in the two earlier stages and about 10.8 kg per hp at 1323 kg in the final stage. The 82 hp diesel is the least favorable by this measure at about 16.7 kg per hp.

The June 2008–December 2010 102 hp 1.5 MT has a 1280 kg kerb weight and 1840 kg gross weight. The 110 hp 1.5 MT weighs 1310 kg, 30 kg more, but improves from approximately 12.5 to 11.9 kg per hp. Final-stage 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT versions both weigh 1323 kg; their gross weights are 1800 and 1840 kg respectively. Final-stage 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT versions also weigh 1323 kg, with gross weights of 1820 and 1840 kg respectively.

Which Hyundai Matrix version should you buy?

Choose the 1.5 MT with 102 hp if measured fuel economy is the deciding factor. It combines 235 Nm with 5.4 l/100 km combined consumption in every production stage where it appears. It is also 90 kg lighter than the 82 hp diesel, produces 20 hp and 48 Nm more, and reaches 100 km/h 3.6 seconds sooner.

Choose the June 2008–December 2010 1.5 MT with 110 hp if you want the strongest diesel specification. Compared with the 102 hp 1.5 MT, it adds 8 hp, raises top speed from 164 to 170 km/h and cuts the acceleration time from 14.3 to 13.9 seconds. Torque and measured fuel consumption remain unchanged at 235 Nm and 5.4 l/100 km combined.

Choose the 1.6 MT for a Gasoline engine with the lowest measured combined consumption in that fuel group. Its 8.0 l/100 km combined figure is 0.6 l/100 km below the earlier 1.8 MT and 0.5 l/100 km below the final-stage 1.8 MT. The trade-off is performance: the 1.8 MT adds 19 hp and 21 Nm, reaches 100 km/h 1.4 seconds sooner and raises top speed by 14 km/h.

Choose the 1.6 AT when Automatic transmission matters more than outright speed. In the final stage, it records 8.3 l/100 km combined, 0.8 l/100 km less than the 1.8 AT. The 1.8 AT responds with 19 hp and 21 Nm more, a 1.5-second advantage to 100 km/h and a top speed 4 km/h higher.

Choose the 1.8 MT for the strongest overall performance. It combines the catalogue’s highest output, 122 hp, with the quickest 0–100 km/h time, 11.3 seconds, and the highest top speed, 184 km/h. Among the final-stage Gasoline choices, it also has the best weight-to-power result at about 10.8 kg per hp.

Prices, sale listings, reliability records, problems, engine-oil capacity, engine-number location and engine-mount details are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support the choice. On the available figures alone, the 102 hp 1.5 MT is the economy pick, the later 110 hp 1.5 MT is the diesel performance pick, the 1.6 MT is the balanced Gasoline choice, and the 1.8 MT is the clear choice for maximum performance.