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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  BEST CAR - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By VIBER - January 13 - 10:00 am

  HANDLES EXTREMELY WELL, GREAT LOOK

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  love my vibe! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Divot - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Great car!!! Fun to drive. I am so happy I chose a Vibe! It is comfortable and has the feel of a sports car. Holds the road beautifully. I highly recommend it!

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  fun to drive - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By sue22 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  i like driving this care because it handles really well on the highway. it has good pick up and go power.

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  Awesome car! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By mayonnaise - January 6 - 8:56 pm

  Love, love, love this car! Bought used just over a year ago. Gets great gas mileage. Very comfortable seating. Very roomy & lots of space for passengers or to haul cargo.

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  Surprise - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Charles - January 6 - 3:40 am

  I was very surprised with the room and the ride. I was use to a larger vehicle. It is just right to run around town. The few times I have been on the road it was very comfortable and handled well. I have not given it a true economy test, but I am averaging about 25 mpg on short trips and around town.

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  Whats Not To Like - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Don - January 1 - 2:26 pm

  I recently downsized from a Ford Explorer Sport to the Vibe Base automatic, mainly for better fuel economy. Ive had it about one month now and love it. Fun to drive, it handles well. Passengers in front and especially the back find it much more comfortable than the 2-door SUV. Its roughly a 1000 pounds lighter, and I sacrificed very little cargo space. Im tracking the gas mileage and will report that later.

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  like new at 103K miles, original brakes - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By RollaRiss - January 1 - 9:16 am

  Our 5 speed manual Vibe has been absolutely trouble free, looks and drives like new. At 103,000 miles it still has the original brakes! Only replaced tires and wiper blades. The oil level tops the dipstick between changes at 3-5K, never added any. The original Continental Contac tires wore evenly to the wear bars at 30K but replacements wear fine. We use the 110 volt dash outlet all the time on trips to charge cell phones. Gas mileage good for such utility. Great highway car. Can be hard to hold back to 70 mph, seems to want to go 75-80. A great only car: economical and versatile. We still get compliments on its styling. The ride is taut, can be harsh on rough roads unloaded.

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  Never Again.... - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By BorderCollieBingo - December 29 - 11:40 am

  I purchased my Vibe the first year they came out. Never again! I hope they ironed out all the kinks! I am really disappointed with this vehicle and definitely would not buy another. I have a ton of complaints about this vehicle. The molding at the bottom of the door is falling off, the plastic cover under the front bumper and in the wheel well was falling off and dragging on my tires, the seat belt strangles me no matter how I adjust it, the visors are useless to someone my height (54"). The tilt steering is a joke...it tilts about 1 inch! The size of this vehicle is VERY deceiving. I cant fit anything in it, and the back doors dont open far enough to get anything large inside!

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  Pontiac Vibe, a good fuel-economy car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Kristin - December 28 - 8:26 pm

  This car really surprised me. I loved the design but was weary of how the performance was going to be. When I got in the car to my surprise the little 4 cylinder engine really has some spark to it and allows for good acceleration. The car is light and this makes the body and the engine fit perfectly and the fuel-economy is way above what I was used to. The interior is of course not as roomy as I would have liked it to be, but the hatch back has a lot of room and the seats will fold down to make a great deal of room which was excellent when I was moving stuff to another city. The interior is also very sporty and the seats comfortable. On the negative, the silver exterior paint chips easily.

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  blank - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Robert Mann - December 19 - 10:00 am

  i love it