2009 Pontiac Vibe Review | Buyer Guide
Vibe Gets A Facelift
General Motors and Toyota may be archrivals, but there is one place where they engage in a joint venture—the New United Motors Incorporated (NUMNI) in Fremont, California. It’s there, that Toyota builds Corollas and Tacomas for itself, and the Pontiac Vibe for GM. The Vibe is the mechanical twin of the Toyota Matrix.
The 2009 Vibe looks a lot like its predecessor, but it gets all new sheet metal and a more steeply raked windshield. The new body, without accentuated fender flares and lower-body molding, is cleaner looking.
The interior has also been redone. It comes only in charcoal gray, and is finished with such a low luster that it looks lifeless. Even the brushed silver trim on the dash does little to brighten it up. However, the accommodations are good. Passengers up front have sufficient head and legroom, and the driver gets a seat-height adjuster. Two adults, or three kids, can fit in the rear without a problem.
The Vibe is also adept at carrying a lot of your belongings. The glove box is large and can handle a woman’s purse. Small cubbies on the console are great for holding odds and ends. The cargo area in back, while slightly smaller than before, is still a decent size, at 49.4-cu.-ft. And, the front seatback folds down so that you can carry a seven-foot ladder. But the cleverest feature is the storage organizer that pops up near the liftgate, and makes stowing groceries a lot less hassle.
The Vibe comes in three models—the base, AWD and GT. The base version gets a 1.8-liter, 132-hp engine that drives the front wheels. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard. Four and five-speed automatics are optional. Surprisingly, the OnStar communications system, satellite radio and an anti-skid system are all standard. However, take-for-granted features, like power locks and windows, and air conditioning are not. These are optional, as is a 2.4-liter engine that delivers 158 hp.
The AWD gets a standard 2.4-liter engine, with a four-speed automatic, a sport suspension, air conditioning, a roof rack and of course, all-wheel drive. The GT is equipped with all these features (except AWD) and adds others, like leather seats, a Monsoon audio system and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
My test car, a base model with the 2.4-liter engine and a five-speed automatic, had a bottom line of $16,295. It performed well. The upgraded engine had plenty of power and was reasonably quiet. I averaged 23 mpg in mixed driving. The handling was sure-footed, and the Vibe did not lean excessively in the corners. The ride quality was about average for a small wagon— a bit choppy on city streets, but smooth on the freeway.
The Vibe doesn’t sell as well as its mechanical twin, the Toyota Matrix, but its styling is cleaner, and it has all the reliability of a Toyota. Furthermore, since it’s not in such great demand, you might get yourself a better deal.
Snapshot Review
Fresh Styling
Versatile Interior
Good Power
Toyota Mechanicals
