Overview & Reviews

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. It's gone now, though, and that's a real shame. Of all the compact cars that wore Pontiac badges, the Vibe was by far the best.

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. A peppy powertrain was another welcome feature. 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.

There were two generations of the Pontiac Vibe. Both are distinctive in appearance without looking overdone and resemble a sporty four-door hatchback rather than a frumpy station wagon. 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. Despite Pontiac's demise, the Vibe should enjoy a long life on the used-car market.

Most Recent Pontiac Vibe

Produced for 2009-'10 only, the second-generation Pontiac Vibe is the corporate twin of the Toyota Matrix. What this means for pre-owned models is that the Vibe has reliable Toyota genes and will likely provide years of dependable service. The Vibe was treated to distinct exterior styling, however, as well as its own trim levels and options.

Pontiac sold this Vibe in base, AWD and GT trim levels. 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. 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. The sport-themed, front-wheel-drive GT had the more powerful 2.4-liter engine along with the independent rear suspension.

All models came standard with a five-speed manual transmission except for the AWD model, which could only be equipped with a four-speed automatic. A five-speed automatic was optional on the GT, while the four-speed automatic could be added to base models. 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.

Inside, this Vibe featured simple and intuitive gauges and controls. Build quality was good, with most of the interior bits and pieces sourced from Toyota. Thanks to the Vibe's elevated roof line, there was plenty of room for passengers. In the safety department, the Vibe came standard with antilock disc brakes, OnStar, stability control and a full complement of airbags.

In reviews, we noted that acceleration was sluggish in the base Vibe but peppy otherwise, especially in the GT, which wasn't noticeably weighed down by the all-wheel-drive system. Expect fuel economy of nearly 30 mpg or more on the highway in all models. The four-speed automatic was rather anachronistic for a new model, though the five-speed automatic was a satisfactory unit. Handling was capable in all trims and even somewhat entertaining in GT models.

Used Pontiac Vibe Models

The first-generation Pontiac Vibe was sold from 2003-'08. It was available in base and GT trim levels. Base Vibe models had a 126-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and could be equipped with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). Non-AWD models were equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, both of which yielded adequate response in traffic and fuel economy in the low 30s. The AWD model was rated at 118 hp due to its different exhaust routing, and the four-speed automatic was mandatory. Acceleration was sluggish in the AWD Vibe, but it was still a useful option for buyers in harsh climates who needed a low-cost snow vehicle.

Aimed at a small niche of performance-minded consumers, the Vibe GT came with a Yamaha-designed high-revving 1.8-liter four-cylinder rated for 164 hp at a lofty 7,600 rpm. Sold in front-drive form with a six-speed manual transmission only, the GT was much quicker than the base Vibe, provided the engine was kept on boil. Ride and handling dynamics, however, were largely the same as in other Vibe models -- adequately comfortable and responsive for commuting purposes, but underwhelming from an enthusiast's perspective.

Other than the elimination of the GT and AWD models after 2007, the first-generation Pontiac Vibe received minimal changes. However, there are some equipment differences of note if you're shopping for a used one. A DVD-based navigation system was offered as an option from 2003-'05, but Pontiac discontinued it for 2006. Used-car shoppers interested in this feature will likely have difficulty locating models with it installed, as it was a rare selection when new. Also, while front seat-mounted side airbags were always optional on the first-generation Vibe, full-length side curtain airbags weren't available until the 2005 model year. That was also the first year that buyers could get stability control, but availability was limited to front-wheel-drive base Vibes equipped with the automatic transmission.

User Reviews:

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  200,000 still going strong!!! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By tigerfury007 - October 15 - 8:41 am

  My mother in 2004 needed a new car her old car was worn out and she is rough on cars. She test drove couple cars and fell in love with the pontiac vibe. She bought it brand new with 9 miles on it and in 2014 exactly 10 years later I write this review this car now has 211,000 miles still drives literally like its brand new aged very well awesome gas mileage and cheap to maintain!!! I recommend this car for anyone Toyota and GM made a good product toyota powertrain and motor and gm body. Since pontiac is dead now the vibe is still being made under the Toyota Matrix nameplate.

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  Love my new Vibe - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Judy - October 7 - 5:33 pm

  Ive only had my Vibe for a month and I just love it. Its easy to handle and so far I get 29 mpg with mostly city driving. With the winter months just around the corner it will be interesting to see how it handles on the snow and ice. I downsized from a mini-van and although it doesnt have the passenger room I havent found it a problem yet. We only have one child left at home so we dont need the 7 passenger capacity.

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  Pontiac vibe - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Val - October 6 - 9:23 am

  A very nice and durable car. Has engine of corolla. Quite working engine and perfect fuel efficiency. fun to drive.

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  Great Car, Great Rebates - 2008 Pontiac Vibe
  By Moonscape - October 2 - 10:16 pm

  We were looking for a family car and came across the Matrix and then realized the Vibe was less $ and had a lot of rebates. We like the Vibe styling better the the Matrix. We have the base model with no options, its perfect for us. It is a undertaking to make sure all 5 doors are locked. Good power/gearing. A/C seems on the light side. Cant turn off head lights at night! Check the vibe forums to find out how to turn off seat belt beep for passenger seat (if you put a backpack on the passenger seat it will loudly beep at you. Blind spots are bad, buy blind spot mirrors. Nice stock tires. Lots of cool little storage areas. Love how the seats fold down. Liked 08 better than 09.

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  The fun car to drive and own - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Glenn Borden - September 29 - 10:03 am

  I have no complaints about the way the station wagon handles or the fuel economy, and I still get a lot of complements on its appearance. I still cant figure out why the dealership doesnt promote the Vibe.

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Andy - September 21 - 12:50 am

  The 05 Vibe is an excellent car to drive. The vvt-i engine is very responsive even at lower rpms. You dont have to sacrifice gas milage like you would with a Vibe GT. This one has all the power you need. I prefer the five speed over the six speed transmission also. It shifts without the knotchy feeling of the six speed I drove (03). The interior is spacious and comfortable with plenty of cargo room. The back seats fold down flat unlike some hatchbacks. Tie straps are included to help hold cargo on the slick plastic surfaces. The exterior design of the Vibe is streamline and sporty. A worth while option is the appearance package which includes color keyed bumpers and fog lights.

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  Built Like A Tank - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By BLUZ LVR - September 18 - 4:36 pm

  Unfortunately, in the 2 years we have owned our GT my husband & I each had an accident. I launched it off the mtn side falling out of mid-air into the creekbed after hitting a patch of gravel...no real visible damage. My husband got a flat, steered it across traffic, up an incline downing a fence, then rolled it after hitting a huge boulder...no one was hurt. It held up better than the Toyota Corolla it replaced. Windows stayed intact; no fluid leaks...What a champ!! Having a hard time finding another now that this one was totaled. Lots of research went into this purchase for us...my husband needed comfort and we needed to be able to transport music & sports equipment. Highly recommended!

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  110 k and still a great little car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By paganpink - September 17 - 9:00 pm

  I have the regular FWD with auto. and moon and tunes pkg. Get around 30 mpg (combined) no matter how hard I drive, which is impressive. Recently passed 110,000 miles and have had to replace nothing but oil and tires, and just bought tires for the first time in 3 years. Super little vehicle with an amazing amount of space inside considering how compact it is on the outside, smaller in size than an older Honda civic! Easy to drive and park, small turning radius, and (w/the optional sound system) very loud and great sounding sound. No squeaks or rattles and handles surprisingly well in the turns. One of the best cars I have ever owned and I have had dozens. A Toyota at heart but w/Pontiac styl

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  Pontiota - vibe 1.8 auto - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By paulwiget - August 29 - 11:12 am

  i bought this car with 103,000 miles on it. of course it needed 2 tires right from the dealer purshase, the dealer son, just happened to be junking his, so i got 2 tires , then the horrible noises from the test drive went away, he also gave me his taller center armrest,from his 03 model,,,,which makes all the difference on my back,,,i now have 178,000 miles,,,,tires,brakes oil change from the begining every 4000 miles,,,doesnt leak a drop,,,, around 110,000 miles,fairly quickly after i bought it, I start hearing that click click from the ac,,,, so i put a tooth pic to hold the recurlation button in,,,, and that does the trick,,,, every thing still works,,, except now at around 170,000,,, ive been told i need, one of 3 things for the air conditioning,,, the air clicks on and off, putting off repair until summer,,,just got front struts 500 bucks,,,,so overall not bad,,,,,,ac repair,,,,rear struts, and ill go to 260,000,hopefully, and then call this car quits,,,,,,,,,back at around 130,000,,,,,i needed to replace the right front axel,,,midas did it 3 times,,,,,, first 2 were from the same company,,,,3rd time they got from somewhere else and that has worked,,,,if the 3rd one didnt work ,, i would be dealing with a transmission leak, because on these cars the axel fits into the transmission somehow,,,,thank god,,, no leaks , because i had the trans serviced around,,,135000,,,and theysaid all was good ,,just alittle discolred,,pads shrtly after the car,rotors and pads at around 140,000,,welp,,,,thats alli can think of,,,,paid 6500,plus tax,,,say 7000, and i had to put a cruise control unit on this car because it didnt have it,,,,its plug and play if you know how to do it, I had to pay the cruise control man 400 bucks so total $7,400 103,000 miles,,,,,,,,,evrything else at the time was going for 7500,andup,and alot of abused looking vibes i,looked at,,,diamond in the ruff nopower windows doorlocks or keyfobs,,,,but oh well,,,, we all aint got it like that

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  Vibetrix - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By cartalker - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Good fuel econonmy and build quality. The Toyota based engine and drive train afre a big plus in this little wagon. Very omfortable.