PONTIAC VIBE
Other safety features include six air bags, four-wheel disc brakes, and stability and traction controls.
That's not bad for about $20,000, which includes a sunroof and the larger of two four-cylinder engines.
The Vibe is based on the Toyota Matrix, which shares the underpinnings of the Corolla. It's a new "architecture" this year and is solid and quiet on the highway.
The Vibe is sold in base, all-wheel drive and GT models. The base model starts at $15,895 and comes with a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. Or opt for the 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which I expect would be a better match with the automatic.
The all-wheel-drive model is $19,495; it comes with the automatic transmission and larger engine.
The GT, today's test car, is $19,895 and comes with a five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control for manual shifts.
There are only about 90 cars this year that are rated 30 mpg or more - the Vibe is a standout as a five-passenger family vehicle.
The base model with manual transmission would make a good commuter vehicle. It gets 26 mpg around town and 32 on the highway, dropping 1 mpg in each category with the automatic.
AWD fuel economy is 20/26, and the GT is rated 21/28 with the manual, 21/29 with the automatic.
At $20,010, the GT test car seemed a good value for the size, utility and performance.
The cloth GT seats are full and supportive. Sightlines are good, and the climate and audio controls are logical. Lighted gauges are a smart idea. The driver's seat has manual height adjustment, and the tilt and telescopic steering wheel helps drivers of all sizes get comfortable. There are plenty of storage areas, adjustable cup holders and flip-and-fold flexibility. There's also a three-prong, household-type electric plug on the lower instrument panel to charge or power a range of devices.
The second-row seats are not raised, which some young occupants might appreciate. There is no center armrest to mark off territory, but there are cup holders. Foot room is abundant with just a low center hump for the exhaust tunnel. Rear air-conditioning vents will help passengers keep cool in summer.
Cargo space is wide, deep and usable. The hard plastic floor has rubber grip strips, and there is under-floor storage, tie downs and a handy grocery-bag support that folds up from the floor. The front passenger seat folds forward to lengthen storage capacity or function as a desktop.
Standard GT features include air conditioning, remote locking, floor mats, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and a seven-speaker Monsoon CD-MP3 audio system.
The GT has a little sportier suspension and 18-inch touring tires on alloy wheels, but there's no roughness to the ride. There isn't much wind noise at highway speeds, and the body is well-isolated from road harshness.
A shared vehicle with Toyota has its pluses and minuses. The interior and powertrain are largely Toyota, but the exterior is mostly of Pontiac design.
Owners can expect reliability. But Toyota still gets away with some cheap-looking interior plastics and a fuzzy, mouse-fur headliner. General Motors would be scorned by critics if it dared try those budget shortcuts.
One cost issue to consider will be replacing the 18-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S-C tires. These are standard equipment on the GT and are considered "ultra-high-performance" all-season tires. One tire costs about $150 to replace.
The Vibe makes good sense in this time when dollars are as precious as a drop of gasoline.
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com.
Click into Maynard's Garage blog site at http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/garage/.
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
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CNS SPECS BOX
2009 Pontiac Vibe GT
Body style: compact, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger wagon
Engine: aluminum, 158-horsepower, DOHC, 2.4-liter four-cylinder
Transmission: five-speed manual
EPA fuel economy estimates: 21 mpg city, 28 highway; 87 octane recommended
Length/wheelbase: 172.1/102.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,085 pounds
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: remote locking, air conditioning with rear ducts, carpeted floor mats, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, seven-speaker CD-MP3 audio system with XM satellite radio, manual driver-seat height adjustment, three-prong (115-volt) electric outlet on lower instrument panel, 60/40 folding back seat, rear cargo storage system, fog lights, front and rear variable wipers, stainless steel exhaust with chrome tip, rear spoiler
Safety features include: six air bags, active front headrests, four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, Stabilitrak stability control
PRICING
Base: $19,895, including $585 freight charge; price as tested, $20,595
Options on test car: sunroof, $700
Powertrain warranty: five-years/100,000-miles
Where assembled: Fremont, Calif.
PLUSES: Great all-around family car that doesn't look like a wagon.
MINUSES: GT turning circle is broad at 37.1 feet; base model and AWD are 35.4 feet. Some cheap-looking Toyota plastic inside and a mouse-fur headliner.
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