[Aprime]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-pontiac-vibe/

 

[EldoFan]

Pretty decent review I'd say......I'd hesitate to call that 158hp engine anemic though when one looks under the hood of the Saturn Astra however. His points about the interior were spot on IMO. :yup:

 

[Aprime]

138HP is plenty of power, the issue with the Astra is the automatic.

 

[steinravnik]

I think this is a nice update for this car.

 

[KIDDIESEL79]

I really like this car but the tailights and the too Toyota-ish dash kills it for me.

 

[Aprime]

I really like this car but the tailights and the too Toyota-ish dash kills it for me.

I wish they'd have used chrome for the... Erm, I think you know what I mean (rather than the matte white thing they used).

Sorry for the lack of clarity but I don't remember what it's called... I'm just going to say cluster moldings.

But they're going with a new new exterior design theme for Pontiac it seems ('fogged'/black head and tail lamps).

I think the dash is attractive and bears no resemblance to any other Toyota products (with the exception of the Matrix, duh). I'm glad it's not a carbon-copy of the Corolla's cluster since it's probably the least attractive one in any car to date (basically an evolution of the outgoing one).

 

[FenwickHockey65]

I find the interior extremely lacking...there's...nothing.

 

[F14CRAZY]

The seats and door panels look good but the dash and steering wheel don't look attractive

 

[I-Love-Pontiac]

The more I look at this thing the more I want it. As many others have said though... it really needs more power. There's nothing exciting about 158 Toyota HP.

How much do superchargers cost?

 

[TriShield]

How much do superchargers cost?

Look through the TRD catalog for the answer.

 

[autofan]

I think the exterior styling, while a little bug-eyed, looks pretty decent, especially with 17" or 18" wheels. The interior styling is even more toy-like and cliche' (can we EVER get over cheap painted silver trim?!) than ever. There are also carryover cost-cutting tricks like no cloth inserts on rear door panels to match those on the front. I hope NVH has improved greatly because my 2003 buzzed (engine) and roared (wind noise) like crazy.

 

[Blair1118]

I just noticed something, the steering wheel has 3 different stalks on it.....thats alot! I personally like my "smart stalk" that has everything all in one.


1. Lighting
2. Wipers
3. Cruise Control

 

[FierySolstice]

I really like this car but the tailights and the too Toyota-ish dash kills it for me.

I totally agree! The Altezza craze is over and they NEVER look good on American cars! This car needs to come in a 3 door also. There should be a GXP version of just a 3 door to compete with the GTI. Oh and the interior sucks!!!

 

[paul8488]

I love it! I'd take another in a second. I'll buy one someday.

They should do a RHD version as a Holden for Australia.

 

[paul8488]

Pontiac should find a way to graft this nose and basic rear-end design onto the G5 coupe and sedan. They could offer the 2.2L as an efficient entry-level model, the 2.4L as the mid-level model, and the 2.0L turbo as the hot GXP versions.

 

[tgagneguam]

...Both GM and Toyota did a nice job modernizing the Vibe/Matrix and the update couldn't have come at a better time. Gas prices are at historic all-time highs and smaller, more utilitarian vehicles are becoming more popular. That description fits the Vibe to a tee, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if sales increased as a result...

A reasonable closing that nicely describes the 2009 Vibe. I'm glad it's in the Pontiac portfolio, even if I never intend to buy one.

 

[crooner214]

I love it! I'd take another in a second. I'll buy one someday.

They should do a RHD version as a Holden for Australia.

They should probably build it off of one of their own platforms first. WHile they are at, they can use GM engines.

 

[MrMax]

The styling for this thing just doesn't do it for me. For the most part, I can understand how some might find it attractice, but the rear needs a redo.

That said, given current gas prices, having the Vibe as a part of the new, (actually) performance oriented pontiac, seems like an even smarter move everyday. I agree with the author sentiment's, it should sell well.

 

[YupYupYup]

I am so tired of the Vibe. GM needs to move on from Toyota.

 

[JeffInDFW]

Ummmm, lets see....it lost 22hp, gained 300 pounds, and became really ugly. You certainly see the Toyota influence.