Pontiac Vibe

Combining the engineering, design and marketing efforts of both General Motors and Toyota, the Pontiac Vibe is a sporty, compact hatchback-style car intended for a younger, entry-level demographic. First appearing in 2003, the Pontiac Vibe was initially offered with three different trim options, from the basic model to the AWD mid-range variant, culminating in the GT sport package that delivered more power and better performance. However, the GT trim option and the AWD package were canceled in 2007, due to sluggish sales and toughened emissions laws. However, all-wheel drive would later reappear in the model’s second generation.

The next-generation Pontiac Vibe arrives

For the 2009 model year, an updated Pontiac Vibe was introduced to offer consumers expanded specification options, including:

• Either a 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE 132 horsepower I4 or a 1.8-liter 2AZ-FE 158 horsepower I4 engine
• Choice of five-speed manual, five-speed automatic or four-speed automatic transmissions
• An overall length of 172.1 inches (171.9 inches for the AWD version)
• 69.4-inch width
• 60.9-inch to 62.7-inch height, depending on the trim package

Dealers reported that sales of this new generation of cars, bolstered by favorable reviews, were strong. Unlike previous models, both this car and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, gained definitive styling features to draw a sharper distinction between them. That said, the general shape of the body, as well as the engine specifications and the interior design and layout, remained the same between both models.