2009 Pontiac Vibe test drive

Pontiac's Vibe is all-new for 2009. Though the wedge-shaped roofline and 5-door "wagonette" body style hark back to the first-generation Vibe, the new Vibe is an up-to-date package that's strong on safety, practicality and versatility. As you can tell, I really liked this car -- read on to find out why. Price range(including options) $15,895 to $23,230, EPA fuel economy estimates 20-26 city, 26-32 highway.

First Glance: Pontiac gets the better deal
The all-new 2009 Pontiac Vibe is the latest product of General Motors' 20+ year joint venture with Japanese automaker Toyota. Like the first-generation Vibe, which made its debut in 2002 as a 2003 model, the new Vibe is mechanically identical to Toyota's Matrix. Both cars are based on Toyota's compact Corolla platform and both use Toyota-sourced engines. The Vibe is built alongside other Toyotas at GM/Toyota's NUMMI plant in California. (The Matrix is built in Canada.)

Like the original Vibe, the new car is differentiated from its Toyota-branded cousin primarily by styling. This time, Toyota and Pontiac tried to further separate the two cars visually, and I think Pontiac got the better end of the deal -- I prefer the Vibe's smooth, simple lines to the awkward angles of the Matrix. The Vibe lacks the wrap-around rear glass and small rear-side windows of the Matrix, which makes for a good-sized blind spot (link goes to photo) over the driver's right shoulder, but this doesn't present any real-world difficulties thanks to the Vibe's big side-view mirrors.

Pontiac offers the Vibe in three models: Base, AWD (all-wheel-drive), and GT. All come with six airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control as standard, though must-haves like power windows and locks are optional on the Base and AWD models, while air conditioning is a $950 option on the Base. These goodies come standard on the sport-themed Vibe GT, which also gets leather-trimmed seats, Monsoon stereo, 18" alloy wheels and unique front-end styling.

In the Driver's Seat: Simple and sensible, just the way I like it
Inside, the Vibe and Matrix are nearly identical. I'm actually a bit surprised that Pontiac didn't do anything with the gauge cluster; the big silver plastic dividers that ring the gauges are a distinctly Toyota-esque touch. Budget issues, I suppose. No matter: The instruments, like all of the Vibe's controls, are straightforward and simple -- and when it comes to car interiors, simplicity equals safety. Tuning on the Vibe's air conditioning or switching from FM radio to CD player requires no more than a quick glance away from the road. All interiors should be as user-friendly as the Vibe's.

But simplicity isn't the Vibe's sole virtue. Thanks to a standard height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt-and-telescope steering column, drivers of all shapes and sizes can get comfortable. The back seat provides plenty of head- and legroom, and the cargo area is lined in hard plastic, which means it's immune to stains and smells. The back seats -- also backed with hard plastic -- fold down to form a perfectly flat load floor, and you can even fold down the front passenger's seat to haul extra-long cargo.

One downside to all that hard plastic is that there's nothing to keep your grocery bags from sliding around. Pontiac solved that problem with a nifty pop-up cargo organizer, optional on the Base 1.8 model and standard on all other Vibes. Other cool items: A standard auxiliary input jack, a three-prong 115 volt outlet, and a huge glovebox big enough to hold a laptop computer or a good-sized purse.

On the Road: Bigger engine makes a difference; stiffer suspension doesn't
The Vibe offers two four-cylinder engines, a 132 horsepower 1.8 liter unit and a 158 hp 2.4. AWD and GT models get the bigger engine, while the Base comes with the 1.8 as standard and the 2.4 for $400 more. The front-wheel-drive Base and GT models offer both manual and automatic transmissions (4-speed auto for the Base, 5-speed for the GT), while the AWD model is automatic-only.

My half-day test drive wasn't long enough to get fuel economy figures; EPA estimates indicate a 4-6 MPG penalty for the bigger engine, a pretty significant number for a car that scores in the high 20s. Power-wise, the 1.8 is perfectly adequate, though if you prefer an automatic and do a lot of freeway driving, you'll appreciate the extra power of the 2.4 -- I sure did.

Pontiac provides Base, AWD and GT models with three different suspension settings, with the Base being the softest and the GT the most aggressive. I drove all three versions, but intermittent rain and relatively tame roads meant I didn't get a chance to push them to their limits. Frankly, I felt little difference between the three; all were comfortable and responded sharply. As it happens, the test route Pontiac had laid out for us went right by the About.com Cars Top Secret Curvy Test Road, so I took the AWD model for a very brief detour through some of the more severe curves. It reminded me of what a great idea all-wheel-drive is -- the little Vibe clung to the road tenaciously, if not particularly gracefully. Too bad I didn't get to try that same stretch of road in the Vibe GT.

Journey's End: A strong contender no matter what you compare it to
Overall, I really like the Vibe. It's handsome and practical, and Pontiac should be applauded for their decision to make antilock brakes and electronic stability control standard. These are critical safety features that can make the difference between an accident and a near miss.

Between the Vibe and the Matrix, I'd take the Vibe for its longer warranty and better looks. The Matrix offers an optional GPS navigation system that the Vibe doesn't get, but that wouldn't be enough to sway me.

What about the rest of the market? At $16k, the Vibe Base seems like a good deal -- but once you add in air conditioning and power windows and locks, the price rises to almost $18k, same ballpark as the Mazda3 hatchback, Volkswagen Rabbit, and Scion xB. The Scion makes a better family car and cargo hauler, but as someone who loves to drive, I'd opt for the Rabbit -- not only as an alternative to the Vibe Base but also to the Vibe GT. To me, the GT is the hardest Vibe to justify; if thrills are what you want, the extra $2-4k for a Honda Civic Si, a Mazdaspeed3 or a Volkswagen GTI is money well spent.

The Vibe I like best is the AWD model, which competes on price with the Subaru Impreza 2.5i hatchback; I prefer the Vibe. But I'd also look at the Suzuki SX4 Crossover, a brilliant car that's a little smaller but a lot cheaper.

All in all, the Vibe is a great little car. It may not be the most entertaining to drive, but it's practical, versatile, safe and handsome -- and that makes it a winner in my book. -- Aaron Gold

What I liked about the Pontiac Vibe:

• Versatile 5-door mini-wagon body style
• Full complement of standard safety equipment
• Straightforward interior
• Optional all-wheel-drive
  

What I didn't like:

• Fuel economy isn't stellar
• GT model isn't all that exciting to drive
  

Who should buy the Pontiac Vibe:
Anyone looking for SUV-like versatility in a compact car

Who should not buy the Pontiac Vibe:
Those seeking best-in-class fuel economy or best-in-class thrills

Details and specs

• Body style: 5-door hatchback
• Seating capacity: 5
• Trim levels: Base, AWD, GT
• Price range (including options): $15,895 - $22,110
• Base engine: 1.8 liter four-cylinder, 132 hp @ 6000 RPM, 128 lb-ft @ 4200 RPM
• Optional engine: 2.4 liter four-cylinder, 158 hp @ 6000 RPM, 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
• Premium fuel required? No
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic (Base, AWD), 5-speed automatic (GT)
• Driveline: Front engine, front- or all-wheel-drive
• EPA fuel economy estimates: 26 MPG city/32 MPG highway (1.8 manual), 25/31 (1.8 automatic), 21/28 (2.4 manual), 21/29 (2.4 automatic), 20/26 (2.4 AWD automatic)
• Where built: United States
• Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, seat-mounted side (torso) airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control
• Optional safety equipment: None
• Major standard features: CD player, XM satellite radio, height-adjustable driver's seatMajor options: Power windows and locks, air conditioning, Monsoon stereo, sunroof
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/100,000 miles powertrain, 6 years/100,000 miles outer body rust-through
• Roadside assistance/free maintenance: 5 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance
  

Best rivals:

• Toyota Matrix
• Volkswagen Rabbit
• Subaru Impreza 2.5i
• Scion xB