2007 Pontiac Vibe Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Vibe loses its all-wheel-drive and sporty models for 2007. This 4-dr wagon is basically a restyled Toyota Matrix, sharing a Toyota-sourced design and 4-cyl powertrain. Vibe now comes only in base trim with front-wheel drive and 126 hp. Gone is the AWD version and the sporty, 164-hp GT model. Manual transmission is standard, automatic is optional. ABS and an antiskid system are also optional. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are combined in a single option. OnStar assistance and leather upholstery are also available. Sunroof, power windows/locks, appearance add-ons, and other features are offered in various packages. Vibe's performance and accommodations mirror those of the Matrix.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 100 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, and Mazda 5.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Pontiac G5.

News

Our moles weren't sure until they spied a test prototype, but a redesigned Vibe should arrive by spring 2008, probably as an '09 model. The basic design again originates with Toyota, which replaces its related Matrix with the newly named Blade. Pontiac or Toyota, the new sportwagons are expected to be lower and less boxy for added youth appeal against competing compacts like the VW Rabbit and especially the Mazda 3. A 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine is expected, but it's unclear whether an all-wheel-drive option will return. More news as we get it, so keep checking back with us.

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2007 Pontiac Vibe Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Engine noise

Cargo room

Rear-seat room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	4.6

Engine needs high rpm to deliver decent power. Pontiac pegs 0-60 mph at about 9.5 sec with manual transmission; automatics feel slower still, and passing response is tepid.

Fuel Economy

Base, auto.	Class Average
7	6.5

Automatic-transmission test Vibe averaged 26.6 mph. Vibe uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Base, auto.	Class Average
5	5.3

Acceptable with 16-inch tires, if rather jittery over patchy pavement and freeway expansion breaks. Optional 17-inch tires increase harshness.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base, auto.	Class Average
5	5.8

For a tall wagon, corners without undue body lean. Handling good with standard 16-inch tires, nimble with optional 17s. Gusty crosswinds cause mild wander, but steering crisp, direct. Only ABS-equipped models available for testing; they have good stopping performance.

Quietness

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	4.4

Constant, marked wind rush and coarse-surface tire thrum. Engine loud at full throttle, none too hushed in gentle cruising. General mechanical buzz felt through seat, steering wheel, pedals.

Controls

Base, auto.	Class Average
6	5.9

Toyota-designed controls mostly user-friendly, but smallish, deep-set gauges aren't easy to read in some light conditions, and their bright trim rings can dazzle. Red night lighting not universally liked. Optional navigation system absorbs some audio functions, has undersized buttons, and is overly complex; we'd avoid it. Cabin finish and sturdy materials are in line with prices.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base, auto.	Class Average
6	5.6

Fine driving position slightly higher and much more upright than in typical small car. Great head room even with sunroof, but long-legged drivers may want more rearward seat travel. Good overall seat comfort, but spirited cornering reveals lack of lateral bolstering. Outward visibility slightly cluttered over the shoulder, good otherwise.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base, auto.	Class Average
5	4

Seat comfort nothing special, but two adults enjoy good head clearance. Chairlike height affords sufficient knee and foot room unless front seats are well back. Entry/exit pretty easy, but doorsills rather narrow, and doors should open wider.

Cargo Room

Base, auto.	Class Average
7	4.8

Liftgate includes handy separate-opening window. Rear seat folds in easy one-handed motion to make a flat load floor. Right front seat also flops down for extra-long items. Cargo bay has tie-downs and built-in tracks for securing gear. Cabin furnishes ample small-item storage.

Value within Class

Base, auto.	Class Average
6	6

With discontinuation of the all-wheel-drive model for 2007, Vibe looses much of its appeal as an alternative to a compact SUV. Its main assets--good utility and fuel economy, and Toyota-reliable engineering--are intact. The rowdy low-torque engine is a big debit, though. As a Pontiac, Vibe tends to carry heavier, more frequent discounts than the Toyota Matrix upon which it is based.

Total Score

Base, auto.	Class Average
55	52.9

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		42
Average Score		52
High Score		60

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2007 Pontiac Vibe Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/16/2007

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$16,760	$15,838	$585

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, variable-intermittent rear wiper, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rails, fog lights, 205/55R16 tires, wheel covers.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Pkg.
Base	$1,050	$924
ordered w/Sun and Sound Pkg.	$850	$748
Cruise control, power windows, power door locks (manual transmission), automatic power door locks (automatic transmission), remote keyless entry, map lights.

Premium Pkg.
Base	$700	$616
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Requires Preferred Pkg.

Security Pkg.
Base	$1,220	$1,074
Antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, OnStar assistance system w/one year service. Requires Sun and Sound Pkg.

Sun and Sound Pkg.
Base	$1,040	$915
Power sunroof, Monsoon sound system.

Premium Monotone Appearance Pkg.
Base	$350	$308
Color-keyed bodyside cladding, bumpers, and trim.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$1,530	$1,346
ordered w/Sun and Sound Pkg.	$1,240	$1,091
Premium Monotone Appearance Pkg. plus Monsoon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, alloy wheels.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
Base	$850	$748


Safety
Front side airbags
Base	$745	$656
Includes curtain side airbags.

Antilock brakes
Base	$525	$462
Includes tire-pressure monitor.

Antiskid system
Base	$495	$436
Requires Preferred Pkg., Sun and Sound Pkg., antilock brakes. NA w/17-inch alloy wheels.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$750	$660


OnStar assistance system
Base	$695	$612
Includes one year service. Requires Preferred Pkg., Sun and Sound Pkg.

AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
Base	$440	$387
ordered w/Sun and Sound Pkg.	$150	$132
Includes Monsoon sound system. NA w/satellite radio.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Base	$740	$651
ordered w/Sun and Sound Pkg.	$450	$396
Includes Monsoon sound system. NA w/satellite radio.

Monsoon sound system
Base	$290	$255


Satellite radio
Base	$199	$175
Requires Monsoon sound system. NA w/Sport Pkg.

Cargo cover
Base	$60	$53


Ash tray, lighter
Base	$15	$13


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Alarm
Base	$325	$286
NA w/OnStar assistance system.

Engine-block heater
Base	$50	$44


Alloy wheels
Base	$440	$436


17-inch alloy wheels
Base	$825	$726
Include 215/50R17 tires.

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2007 Pontiac Vibe Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Pontiac Vibe 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	102.4

Overall Length, in.	171.9

Overall Width, in.	69.9

Overall Height, in.	62.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	2701

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	54.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	39.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.8 /109

Horsepower @ rpm.	126 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	122 @ 4200

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	30/36

4-speed automatic	29/34

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Pontiac Vibe 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/100,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

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Also in the 2007 Pontiac Vibe Review:

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Pontiac Vibe Road Test

Pontiac Vibe Prices & Equipment

Pontiac Vibe Specs & Safety

Pontiac Vibe Photos

Pontiac Vibe Full Review