Pontiac Vibe AWD

Base Price:  $18,915

As Tested:  $ 22,615

Engine:  2.4L DOHC

Transmission:  4-spd Automatic

Suspension:  Front Indy, Rear Wishbone

Brakes: ABS w/4whl disc

Mileage:  20city / 26hwy

Some years ago when this vehicle first hit the streets it had little impact on the crossover market since that market wasn’t very noticeable or popular. Plus, its design back then was what some people considered a little radical, strange, whatever.

It’s come a long way baby. For 2009, the Vibe fits in perfectly with the crossover world and it’s fun to drive. The 2.4L engine married to the 4-spd automatic transmission gives it enough power to cut through the S-turns of MLK Hwy 24 between Manitou and Cascade. The automatic shifting of gears while accelerating and decelerating was very, very smooth, almost effortless. I was surprised to find that quiet of a gearbox in an American made vehicle within this price range.

Also, when taking the turns at 50mph, there was very little pitch or sway going in and coming out of them. The suspension is tight enough to handle the turns while providing a comfortable ride. There’s no excessive dipping in the Vibe, as you find in some other crossover vehicles that try to combine “cruising” softer suspensions with a softer ride which always produces a loss in stability when engaging sharp, mountain curves.

I was even more surprised when taking it on I-25 and putting it in passing gear at 75mph. The 2.4L engine actually pushed me back into my seat during acceleration and at 100mph, it was grabbing the highway like a bigger, heavier crossover.

The low sound from the engine gave me indications that I could have stayed at that speed for a very long time. The ride was smooth, no shimming at high speeds, and plenty of gas pedal still available and again, this is a 2.4L engine.

With the following standard equipment, the base price listed above is reasonable. See for yourself if you don’t agree that pwr rack & pinion steering, ABS 4-whl disc brakes, stabilitrak-stability control, tire pressure monitor, daytime running lamps, rear door child security locks, and stainless steel exhaust, are good inclusions.

Also, front, side thorax & pelvic airbags w/ passenger sensing, frt head curtain and side airbags, 1yr Onstar service safe & sound plan, along with air cond. w/rear air ducts, rake & telescopic steering wheel, AM/FM stereo CD player w/Aux input jack, XM satellite, 115 volt 3-prong household style outlet, manual drvr seat height adj, rear cargo storage system, and more, are all excellent standard features.

The Vibe even comes with solar ray light tinted glass, rear window wiper & defogger, luggage rack w/ cross bars, and dual outside pwr mirrors.

But, for around $3,000 more, the following options are also a good package value such as the pwr sunroof (open all the way, pretty quiet), upgraded stereo w/MP3 format & auxiliary input and a 7 speaker Monsoon premium sound, leather wrap steering wheel w/audio controls, leather wrap shift know, remote keyless entry, pwr door locks, pwr windows, cruise control, front & rear variable intermittent wipers, 17” aluminum whls, chrome clad, and fog lamps.

I felt good operating the Vibe AWD and would definitely include it in my search amongst crossovers within this price range. Remember, always bring along all the sticker price sheets you’ve collected so you can shop and compare accurately.