Thanks to the Vibe's elevated roof line, there was plenty of room for passengers. Build quality was good, with most of the interior bits and pieces sourced from Toyota. Inside, this Vibe featured simple and intuitive gauges and controls. Base Vibes could also be equipped with the 2.4-liter engine at extra cost, in which case the five-speed automatic replaced the four-speed on the options list. A five-speed automatic was optional on the GT, while the four-speed automatic could be added to base models. The sport-themed, front-wheel-drive GT had the more powerful 2.4-liter engine along with the independent rear suspension.Īll models came standard with a five-speed manual transmission except for the AWD model, which could only be equipped with a four-speed automatic. AWD models had - you guessed it - all-wheel drive, as well as an independent rear suspension and an upgraded 2.4-liter four good for 158 hp. ![]() Base Vibe models were front-wheel-drive only and had a 1.8-liter 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a torsion-beam rear suspension. Pontiac sold this Vibe in base, AWD and GT trim levels. The Vibe was treated to distinct exterior styling, however, as well as its own trim levels and options. What this means for pre-owned models is that the Vibe has reliable Toyota genes and will likely provide years of dependable service. Produced for 2009-'10 only, the second-generation Pontiac Vibe is the corporate twin of the Toyota Matrix. Despite Pontiac's demise, the Vibe should enjoy a long life on the used-car market. The Vibe offered a lot of functionality for not a lot of money, and Toyota-sourced parts and powertrains counted as another point in its favor. Both are distinctive in appearance without looking overdone and resemble a sporty four-door hatchback rather than a frumpy station wagon. There were two generations of the Pontiac Vibe. The fact that the Vibe also got above-average fuel economy and had a solid reputation for reliability only added to its appeal among budget-minded consumers. A peppy powertrain was another welcome feature. Smart packaging is what made this small wagon desirable, as the Vibe combined clean styling, a roomy interior and exceptional utility under one affordably priced roof. Of all the compact cars that wore Pontiac badges, the Vibe was by far the best. It's gone now, though, and that's a real shame. ![]() The Pontiac Vibe began life as a Toyota Matrix twin and ended it as the answer to a trivia question: "What is the only Pontiac model to be produced for the 2010 model year?" That's right - while all other Pontiac models went the way of the dodo after GM's 2009 bankruptcy fiasco, the Vibe stuck around for a last hurrah.
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