Pontiac Vibe 2009

2009 PONTIAC VIBE TI

The second generation of the Vibe is based, like its Toyota Matrix cousin, on the Toyota Corolla, and since the Corolla is new this year, so are the Matrix and Vibe. The new Vibe is identical in size to the old model. It is available in base, all-wheel- drive and GT trim levels.

Interior and cargo area

The front seats are easy to access and comfortable, with good side support and, for the driver, height adjustment. Unfortunately, the lumbar support is not adjustable and for many people, the bulge of the built-in lumbar support will be too pronounced for comfort. Thanks to the tilt and telescoping steering column, drivers enjoy a good driving position, better, in fact, than before. The passenger-side seatback folds flat to make room for items up to 2.4 m (8 ft.) long.

The rear bench seat can comfortably accommodate two adults, with good headroom and legroom. The seatback folds in a 60/40 split. When folded, it leaves a gap behind the front seats into which a pet could fall.

The rear hatch opens wide to provide easy access to the cargo area. Cargo capacity is rather limited with the seatbacks up but expands considerably when the seatbacks are folded down. The plastic material with skid-proof strips that lines the cargo floor and rear seatbacks scratches easily. The luggage cover is made of a cheap-looking canvass held by four fragile-looking anchor points.

Convenience and safety features

The cabin is very well finished in good-quality materials but poorly soundproofed, especially where road noise is concerned. There are many good storage spaces.

All gauges and controls are well laid out. Unfortunately, the glove compartment and several controls are not illuminated at night. The climate control system works well. The Vibe is equipped with a 115-volt outlet that lets you plug in your computer just like at home. The windshield washer nozzles are placed under the edge of the hood and can easily be blocked by now. The radio antenna on the back of the roof can make carrying long items more complicated.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags (two front, two side and two curtain), large mirrors, good headlights, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, stability control and five head restraints. Unfortunately, the head restraints, especially the ones in the back, do not adjust high enough for tall people. Visibility is good on all sides except on a three-quarter-rear angle, because of the very wide C-pillars, and rearward when backing up, as judging distances is difficult. In a similar vein, the width of the A-pillars is a problem for some drivers, and the rear-view mirror creates a blind zone on a right angle for tall people.

In U.S. government tests, the Vibe obtained five stars out of five for front and side crash protection for front occupants. It earned four stars for rear-occupant protection in a side crash, and four stars for rollover resistance.

Engine and transmission

The 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing develops 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing relatively lively acceleration and pickup. The engine climbs easily through the gears and is well suited to the vehicle. It meets Tier2/Bin5 emissions control standards.

The four-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly, at all times. It is well geared but, evidently, it should have a fifth gear to lower engine speed on the highway. The all-wheel-drive system directs torque to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip, and does so quite quickly.

On the road

The four-wheel independent suspension is sufficiently firm to produce a lively bounce on certain types of bumps. Otherwise, it provides genuine comfort and good road holding with a minimum of lean. Suspension reactions are reined in a bit with a load on board. Windy days require fairly frequent steering corrections.

Inspection

At a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, the Vibe seemed to be well assembled. However, under the hood, the radiator expansion tank and windshield washer fluid tank are very close together, which can be confusing. The vehicle is relatively sturdy underneath but not all the underside is rust proofed. Debris can get through an opening under the front bumper and damage the air-conditioner condenser. The overhead camshafts of both engines are chain driven. Conclusion

The 2009 Vibe is more an evolutionary play on the first generation than a new vehicle. Of course, carmakers are always hesitant, and rightly so, to make radical changes to a vehicle that’s selling well. So nothing revolutionary here, just a few changes to make things more interesting, particularly as concerns the driving position. Too bad, though, that the improvements didn’t carry through to interior soundproofing.

PROS: comfortable front seating, road behaviour, well-suited 2.4L engine, smooth automatic transmission, functionality, cabin storage

CONS: three-quarter-rear visibility, poor soundproofing, head restraints adjust too low (tall people), automatic transmission four-speed only, lumbar support needs work, washer nozzles under hood edge

2009 PONTIAC VIBE

Engine: 16-valve, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder; 16-valve, 2.4-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 132 hp at 6,000 rpm; 158 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 128 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm; 162 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic or 5-speed automatic Suspension: independent/torsion beam (TI and GT: fully independent) Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 260.1 cm Length: 436 cm (GT: 438 cm) Width: 176.5 cm Height: 154.9 cm (TI: 159.5 cm; GT: 156 cm) Weight: 1,295 to 1,490 kg Tires: P205/55R16; P215/45R17; P215/45R18 Maximum towing capacity: 680 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags

Fuel consumption with TI model: Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 10.3 L/100 km (27 mpg) Highway: 7.8 L/100 km (36 mpg) Test result: 10 L/100 km (28 mpg) Test temperature: 9°C to 25°C

CO2 emissions: 5,023 kg/20,000 km

Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres

Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 9.3 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.3 seconds Competition: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Mazda3 Sport, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Matrix

Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/160,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 6 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module).

Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $704 Front brake disc: $94 Brake pads: $206 Muffler: $274 Front fender: $358

Price according to trim level: Base: $16,265 TI: $21,541 GT: $25,265

Main options: Options packages: $2,675 to $5,000 Automatic transmission: $1,225 (5-speed : $1,485) Sunroof: $1,100

Price as tested: $26,005

Freight and preparation: $1,290

Dealers: Quebec: 76 Canada: 415