Information on the Pontiac Vibe
The Pontiac Vibe was among the most sought-after vehicles in the final years of the existence of the Pontiac brand. When GM announced that it would be shutting down its Pontiac division, many observers thought the Vibe would live on as a Chevy. However, GM decided to pull the plug on the Vibe during its massive 2008-2009 reorganization.
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History
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The Pontiac Vibe and highly similar Toyota Matrix were the result of a joint venture between General Motors and the Japanese automaker. Both were built at the shared NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, until Matrix production shifted to Canada. The Vibe began life with the 2003 model year, was redesigned for 2009 and discontinued by 2010. It was also sold in Japan with right-side steering as the Toyota Voltz from 2002 to 2004.
Engine & Performance
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In its final years, the Vibe came in three configurations. The front-wheel-drive base unit featured a 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The all-wheel-drive upgrade contained a 2.4-liter, 158-horsepower engine. And the GT had the 2.4-liter engine along with independent rear suspension. The Vibe was rated at 21 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway, but some users reported getting 30 mpg or better. The base unit was known for sluggish acceleration, but the other two models featured much better performance.
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Interior & Exterior
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The Vibe looks very much like its cousin, the Toyota Matrix, from the outside and shares many interior features as well. The exterior is distinct and angular, resulting in a profile instantly recognizable as either a Matrix or a Vibe to even casual observers. Inside, many of the features are also shared with Toyota, but the Vibe also sports GM touches such as the OnStar roadside assistance function.
Safety & Reliability
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The Vibe featured electronic stability control, active head restraints and six air bags as basic safety features. It received high marks in federal safety tests. It also received the highest rating offered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Many owners of the Vibe feel they enjoy the best of both worlds for U.S. motorists--an American-made and branded car with Japanese reliability. Kelly Blue Book gave it high marks for reliability, but J.D. Power & Associated was more modest, giving it a 5 out of 10.
Reviews
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The Vibe has earned somewhat mixed reviews and is not as well-regarded as the Matrix. Car and Driver magazine put it ahead of the Dodge Caliber, but far behind the Mazda3. US News and World Report ranked it 18 out of the 37 cars in its category, based on 19 reviews and test drives.
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Resources
- Photo Credit General Motors
