2009 Pontiac Vibe Review
Test drove: 6/2/08 – 6/17/08
Despite its Name, Car Gives Off a Good Vibe
The 2009 Pontiac Vibe has a lot of things going for it — except its name. The word “vibe” makes me think of certain unmentionables, but the car’s features are a good distraction from its unfortunate moniker.
The Vibe’s interior has an effortless simplicity that makes it easy to navigate. The controls are simple and useful, which is a welcome change from the button overload I’ve experienced in many cars lately. I also was impressed with the adjustable cupholder that held both my travel mug and, later, a reusable water bottle with no problems. The center console was a problem, though; it was barely big enough to hold a garage door opener and the keys to my mailbox.
My teenager immediately noticed the car’s backseat amenities. Of course there was the requisite auxiliary jack, but it was the 110-volt outlet — where he could easily plug in his electronics — that really caught his eye. My younger kids weren’t as enthusiastic about the Vibe. The slope of the back windows made it a little difficult for them to see out, and their booster seats were just wide enough that they needed to move them over a bit to expose the buckle receptors.
The cargo area’s plastic finish is like a skating rink. Pontiac tries to compensate for the slick surface with a slightly adjustable built-in trunk organizer that flips out of the cargo area. With the organizer open, I found a perfect slot behind it to stash a sports bag, and still had room for grocery bags. I liked the flexibility of the organizer — especially after a Costco shopping trip.
When I closed the Vibe’s door, however, it made a hollow “tink” sound instead of a solid “thunk,” which bothered me every time. That noise made me feel uneasy about the safety and quality of the Vibe, even though all the evidence indicates that the car is safe and reliable.
The Vibe’s all-wheel drive is a plus in the safety department, but it cost me in fuel economy. I got about 22 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving — a little surprising because the Vibe is a relatively small vehicle.
After getting over my issues with the name, I found the Pontiac Vibe to be a nice car. Its value pricing and cute exterior upped my overall opinion of it. It would be a good choice for a small family with young children or a teen driver.
*For more information on the 2009 Pontiac Vibe and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
Latch Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair
Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Good Times
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| 2009 Pontiac Vibe | |
| Base price: |
$18,910 |
| Price as tested: |
$22,615 |
| Engine: | 158-hp, 2.4-liter I-4 |
| Fuel: | 19/24 mpg |
| Length: | 171.1” |
| Width: | 69.5” |
| Ground Clearance: | 5.8” |
| Turning Radius: | 17.7 ft. |
| Cargo space: | 20.1/49.4 cu. ft. |
| NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Frontal Impact | |
| Driver’s side: | 5 stars |
| Passenger’s side: | 5 stars |
| Side Impact | |
| Front occupant: | 5 stars |
| Rear occupant: | 5 stars |
| Rollover resistance: | 4 stars |
Comments
Always happy to contribute to the corruption of pregnant minds...
Posted by: Emily | Jul 10, 2008 7:57:08 PM
Happy Vibe owner since the first model year and would buy it again in a heartbeat. And as a practicing dad, did you know if you fold the passenger seat down flat you have an excellent diaper-changing surface for your tot? Never mind soiling minds then! I love my Vibe (stick shift) and get 32 city/36 highway out of it. I'd rate it way more than family freindly, and it's a good 5 passenger car. Probably Pontiac's best.
Posted by: Dr. Vibe | Jul 11, 2008 12:26:10 PM
Great tips on the diaper changing Dr. Vibe - thank you! I did go on the press trip to lovely Santa Monica for the new Vibe and felt like it was a great ride. Furthermore, the folks from Pontiac are super cool and always willing to answer questions, provide more info, etc.
Posted by: Courtney | Jul 11, 2008 1:10:53 PM
What? Only 22mpg. I wonder if the Toyota built on the same assembly line by the same workers using the same parts gets any better fuel economy? Everthing I have ever read in the media made me believe everything built by Toyota gets 100mpg. Yes, this is built by a Toyota/GM joint venture in California just like the Geo and several other models use to be.
Posted by: Kerry | Jul 14, 2008 1:56:39 PM
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I never thought about the name alluding to some unmentionables, you've soiled my mind Em! ha, ha.
Posted by: Courtney | Jul 10, 2008 12:05:08 PM