ArcaMax

One of GM's best-sellers is actually a Toyota in drag - the "Pontiac" Vibe. It is a rebadged/re-skinned Toyota Matrix, but that's not all it has going for it. Though it's literally the same car in every functional way - including identical Toyota-built engines - the "Pontiac" version is substantially less expensive - $15,310 to start; $19,310 loaded vs. $16,190 for the base Matrix and $21,850 for the top of the line version.

Same car - other than a few cosmetic differences - but a much lower price for the version sold by GM. It's the best reason to "buy American" I can think of!

WHAT IT IS

The Vibe is a compact hatchback wagon that's a bit more roomy - and a bit more sporty - than a traditional economy sedan or wagon. It is also one of the few vehicles in its price range that offers AWD as an option.

WHAT'S NEW?

Pretty much the whole car. The Vibe (and Matrix) share their basic platform with the Toyota Corolla, which is all-new for 2009. And thus, so are the '09 Vibe and Matrix -  including updated exteriors and interiors, new, stronger available engines and a shuffling of trim and options packages.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

The base Vibe comes equipped with the same 1.8 liter, 132 hp four used in last year's car - with your choice of 5-speed manual transaxle or four-speed automatic. This Toyota-built engine is a great little engine; you'll find a hopped up version of it under the hood of the high-performance Lotus Elise. However, the Elise weighs about 1,000 pounds less than the not-so-svelte Vibe, which tips the scales at nearly 3,000 lbs. before anyone climbs aboard. While fuel economy with this engine is very good (26 city/32 highway) acceleration is iffy, especially if you choose the optional four-speed automatic. As an in-city runabout or commuter, it's fine - but the base Matrix hasn't got the lungs for today's 70-plus MPH highway driving and when two people are on board, attempting to overtake (let alone pass) other cars results in a lot of noise and not much thrust. 

But the good news is you can get a larger 2.4 liter engine (sourced from the Toyota Camry) for an additional $400 above the base car's MSRP - and it is worth every penny.

The 2.4 liter engine offers 158 hp - a 26 hp uptick - as well as an extra kick of torque (162 lbs.-ft.) that comes on at 4,000 rpm vs. the 1.8 liter's puny 128 lbs.-ft at 4,400 rpm. This engine is at least plausibly sporty, especially with the 5-speed manual (0-60 can be reached in about 8 seconds flat) and more importantly, it's comfortably competent with the automatic - while still returning very respectable fuel economy - 21 city, 29 highway.

An all-wheel-drive version of the Vibe ($18,910) is available too. It comes standard with the 2.4 liter engine (due to the added weight of the AWD) but unfortunately, requires you to buy an automatic transmission. Even more unfortunately, the automatic you're required to buy is the base car's 4-speed automatic - while other Vibes with the 2.4 liter engine get a much more up-to-date 5-speed automatic.

RIDE & HANDLING

Pontiac offers a sport-themed "GT" package ($19,310), but it's mostly looks and not much goods. You do get 18-inch rims with more aggressive tires than the base model's 16-inchers - as well as a firmer-riding suspension that's supposedly been "tuned" by Pontiac to be different than the Matrix - plus a snarky-looking rear wing. But this little wagon is not going to win any SCCA autocross trophies. It's easy to drive and pleasant to ride in - but it's not a serious high-performance vehicle by any stretch.

The Vibe (including the performance-themed GT) is more about looking sporty than being sporty. The GT package does include a lot of additional equipment to make the ride more pleasant: AC, a premium 320 watt stereo with MP3 capability as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter knob.

It's enough to make it interesting; or at least - a lot more interesting than your typical econo-box.

STYLING & UTILITY

The Vibe/Matrix has all the virtues of the thoroughly excellent Toyota Corolla - one of the best small economy-type cars on the market - plus a lot more headroom for people and cargo room for stuff. It has 20-plus cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row seats - and if you drop 'em, you've got a nice high/tall space that's more than double that at nearly 50 cubic feet. The Corolla's only got a 12.3 cubic foot trunk - and its interior doesn't feel nearly as spacious, due to the lower roofline.

With the Vibe (and Matrix) you can also order up AWD - a feature that's not offered with the Corolla.

An additional draw is the Vibe/Matrix have some spunk in addition to superior versatility. The Corolla both of these little wagons descend from is a perfectly solid but perfectly boring econo-box with zero curb appeal and not much to recommend it beyond being a "sensible" car. At least the Vibe looks different - and at least tries to be sporty, too. 

Plus, it's only slightly more expensive than the Motel 6-looking (and feeling) Corolla, which has a base price of $15,250 or just $60 bucks less than the base Vibe. Which would you rather drive?

QUALITY & SAFETY

It may say "Pontiac" on the decklid  but the Vibe is a Toyota through and through - so it should be as well-built as Toyotas usually are. The chief difference here is not functional, but rather in terms of the warranty coverage you get for what is basically the same car sold through two different brands. The "Pontiac" actually has the better deal here, despite its lower prices across the board. Both the Vibe and the Matrix have three year/36,000 mile basic coverage - but the Pontiac's drivetrain coverage lasts for five years /100,000 miles vs five years/ 60,000 miles for the functionally identical Matrix.

All trims get side-impact and head/curtain air bags as well as stability/traction control and ABS. For 2009, all models also get a standard telescoping steering wheel that enhances the car's fit for varying body types. 

Because it's badged as a GM vehicle, the "Pontiac" Vibe also comes standard with GM's OnStar telematics/emergency assist. Many people like this system; however, I'm among those Luddite paranoiacs who would prefer it be optional since I'd rather not have Big Brother (or GM) riding shotgun with me.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

The Vibe is a fun - and versatile - little wagon that does a lot more than the typical econobox for not much more money.

One upside to the higher curb weight is it doesn't feel like it's going to get blown into a ditch by the slipstream  of passing semis. It's just too  bad you can't get a manual transmission of any kind with the AWD system - and worse, that the AWD-equipped Vibe comes only with the base car's gimpy, out-of-date 4-speed automatic. The five-speed automatic feels snappier because there's less of a spread between gears and really ought to be included with the AWD. Even better, Pontiac (well, Toyota) should allow buyers the opportunity to buy the 5-speed stick with the AWD - perhaps as part of an AWD GT package.

It's odd that the supposedly highest-performance version of the Vibe - the GT - comes only with front-wheel-drive. Still, this is a thoroughly decent, value-priced small runabout that to me makes a lot more sense - and has a lot more appeal - than a traditional economy sedan. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Unless you're hung up on having "Toyota" badges on the outside, the "Pontiac" is the same car for less money - and with a better warranty, too.

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www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for comments.