Posts tagged Pontiac

Funky, compact multi-tasking vehicles are all over the place these days.  Where the subcompact station wagon once ruled the light-cargo roost, these days there are retro Chrysler PT Cruisers and Chevrolet HHRs, quirky micro-minivans like the Mazda5, and offerings with more contemporary style, like the Kia Rondo and Pontiac Vibe.

The Vibe is one of the original members of this group, with a 2002 introduction as a twin to the Toyota Matrix, it helped to set the mold of a tall station wagon with SUV-like cargo abilities and friendly subcompact driving dynamics.  Of course, ’02 was a long time ago, and by ’08 the Vibe was looking somewhat long in the tooth.  For 2009, there’s a complete redesign of the car that keeps it true to its roots.  Will that be enough to keep the Vibe in the game?

At first glance, not much appears to have changed.  The new design is smoother, inside and out, but otherwise follows the template of the previous car.  The familiar split Pontiac grille has been smoothed out to match the rest of the lineup, and the Vibe’s slightly drooping wagonette silhouette and thick D-pillar remain the same.  The sportier Vibe GT gets a more unique look, with a more aggressive front fascia and rocker panel moldings.

The redesigned interior is nicely improved.  Interior materials are improved significantly–but then the bar for interiors has been raised by VW, Hyundai and others, so the Vibe comes across as slightly above-average where a few years ago it would’ve been exceptional. A high beltline gives it a tank-ish feeling, which can be comforting in a world full of thundering SUVs.  There’s comfortable seating for four (or snug seating for five), and the chairs are tall but still short-ish in the lower cushion.  The cargo area is still carpetless, for reduced damage potential, and Pontiac has added rubber strips to the surface to prevent objects from sliding around.  The Vibe’s handy 115-volt outlet is still standard as well.  At heart, this is still an economy car.  Thus, most of the cool equipment–leather, satellite radio, 320-watt Monsoon sound system–is optional on the base models.  OnStar with voice recognition and hands-free calling is also available.

The Vibe drives much the same as it always did–friendly and easy to manage.  It’s a Corolla at heart, after all.  The heart in question is a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine with DOHC construction and variable valve timing that puts out 132 horsepower.  The sportier Vibe GT gets a more potent engine, a 2.4 liter DOHC four-cylinder making 158 horses.  A choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions is available.   In these days of 200-horsepower four-cylinder engines, the Vibe’s powerplant choices may seem modest, but this little car has no trouble keeping up with traffic and the tradeoff is decent fuel economy in base models.  The Vibe’s claim to crossover fame is its available all-wheel drive (AWD), of course.  AWD models come with the larger engine.  The AWD is seamless, and only affects fuel consumption.

The suspension also hasn’t changed in form; MacPherson struts up front and a twist-beam rear axle are very much like the previous Vibe, as well as calling to mind just about every economy car built in the 1990s.  The AWD version gets a bit more modern, with a multi-link rear end.  Anti-lock brakes and four-wheel discs are standard equipment on the Vibe for the first time in 2009.  The Vibe drives pleasantly around town; for its intended purpose, this car doesn’t need six-piston Brembo brakes and a double-wishbone suspension, after all.  The Vibe is comfortable and relatively quiet around town and on the freeway.  StabiliTrak stability control and traction control are standard.

The Vibe plumbs the same versatility territory as the (smaller) Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR, Nissan Rogue, (larger) Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CR-V.  These other five vehicles do it more memorably, however.  Perhaps it’s the Toyota underpinnings, but the Vibe comes off as competently forgettable.  In this group of compact crossovers, it’s the appliance of the family.  The PT and HHR have the retro thing going, for better or for worse.  The Rogue feels more modern and has more of an SUV feel, and the Outlander and CR-V are excellent freeway cruisers.  The Kia Rondo is also in the mix, with similar dimensions and a somewhat dowdier body.

If anything, that’s the Vibe’s problem–it’s not quite exciting enough.  Pontiac is supposed to be the “wild” brand, the place where anything goes, and the Vibe just seems kind of pedestrian, coming from them.  It’s a nice vehicle, but the rest of the industry has caught up and it’s no longer unique.  Unique or not, though, the Vibe still represents a solid, versatile vehicle for an affordable price.  Prices start at $15,985 for the base model and $18,910 for AWD.  My test vehicle featured a preferred equipment package with power windows and locks, 17-inch wheels and an upgraded radio and stickered for $21,480.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD.
Length: 171.9 in.
Width:     69.4 in.
Height:     62.7 in.
Wheelbase:  102.4 in.
Curb weight:  3295 lb.
Cargo space:  20.1 cu.ft. (seats up); 49.4 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Base price: $18,910
Price as tested:     $21.480
Engine:  2.4 liter DOHC four-cylinder
Drivetrain:  five-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower:    158 @ 6000
Torque:  162 @ 4000
Fuel capacity:    13.2 gal.
Est. mileage: 20/26