the Vibe/Matrix is a gas sipping SUV according to CNN

[vibebob]

There is an article on CNN's site about gas sipping SUV's and listed is the Matrix/Vibe. I'm not sure what they mean by "a somewhat more traditional but sporty appearance, as the Pontiac Vibe" not sure if this is a compliment or not.here is what they have in the popup windowToyota MatrixPrice: $19,700 Edmunds.com with AWD and typical equipmentMileage: 28, EPA estimate, combinedThe Matrix is available, with a somewhat more traditional but sporty appearance, as the Pontiac Vibe. It's not very large. but it is available with all-wheel-drive and, with the back seats folded down, has a surprising amount of storage space.

[BOZACK]

The Matrix is available, with a somewhat more traditional but sporty appearance, as the Pontiac VibeSounds like they are saying the Vibe is a better looking Matrix to me.

[ColonelPanic]

NOOO! It ain't no steenkin' SUV!

[mcgusto82]

28 mpg?? i have never gotten below 31 mpg. EVER! with alot of combined city and highway and hevy foot. those guys must get their info from their *ss.gas sipping?? and SUV?? i mean i like the vibe and would call it an SUV to people when i describe it. Defenately wouldn't expect that from cnn.

[Gandalf]

I think the Vibe/Matrix has *some* of the looks and utility of larger 'real' SUV's.It's been my belief since I first saw a Toyota Matrix that they were building a car that resembled a small SUV. Add AWD (with no off-road capability, of course), 5 doors with a relatively large potential interior cargo space, and you have a lot of what makes an SUV an SUV...EXCEPT it isn't based on a truck chassis, it's small, agile, fun to drive, and of course, it doesn't guzzle gas like a 'real' SUV.I think calling it an SUV is very misleading, of course. It's not an SUV, but it can do some of the things an SUV does...and many things an SUV CAN't do. I mean, could a 6,000 lb. 4 weel drive TRUCK be anywhere near as fun to drive as the vastly better handling Vibe?I dont know about some of the high end import SUV's, but I'm pretty sure none of the American made SUV's have 4 valve per cylinder, and variable valve timing engines. They have big, gas sucking V-8 pushrod Detroit iron engines But if more people would buy smaller vehicles like the Vibe/Matrix, if they are labeled as an SUV, I won't object.Most of the current high gasoline prices are caused by the incresing demands of gas guzzling SUV's Replace them all with Vibes, and the USA gasoline consumption would drop dramatically.I thing in the next few years, we are going to be seeing more vehicles similar to the Vibe/Matrix. And that is of course, a good thing.If CNN wants to call them SUV's, I won't object, if it helps to sell people on smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.

[ColonelPanic]

Not sure if you have noticed, but not everyone here enjoys the stellar mileage that you seem to. Hit or miss, man.If you can get 31 all the time, good for you. I can't get those numbers consistently, never have. I miss my old V6, it got better mileage.

[mcgusto82]

i don't know what you guys are doing to your cars. AVERAGE, AVERAG!!! i get 32 mpg. and used to make me mad because i've gotten 35, 34 other times. where i used to live at, the average highway speed was 70mph. that was one of the factors that kept my mileage down to 32. that was a half an hr drive to work. about 15 minutes each on city and highway.there must be something wrong with your vibe colonel.i my vibe starting declining on economy, i'd complain ALOT!the reason that got me over from other competitors.

[Gandalf]

My Vibe is quite new, and I'm not getting real good mileage yet (25 to 26 in town) BUT quite a few pwoplw have commented that their mileage didn't really hit good number until they had several thousand miles on the odo. I'm at around 1200 now. I'm hoping for better, of course.Still beats the mileage for a Ford Explorer, or whatever!

[jwalcik]

Quote, originally posted by Gandalf »Still beats the mileage for a Ford Explorer, or whatever!have you seen the new explorer commercials where they're advertising the 15/21 mpg V6 as "improved fuel efficiency"?i think the increased capacity of smaller car-like/crossover vehicles won't really put a dent in SUV sales until the car companies start pointing out things like the fact that the ford focus not only gets better mileage than the escape hybrid, but it also is only a few cubic feet smaller in regards to interior dimensions (it actually has more rear seat passenger area). i think if more folks realized that, passing on four wheel drive (that they'll use once a year) and foot or so ride height might seem a bit more appealing.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »28 mpg?? i have never gotten below 31 mpg. EVER! with alot of combined city and highway and hevy foot. those guys must get their info from their *ss.gas sipping?? and SUV?? i mean i like the vibe and would call it an SUV to people when i describe it. Defenately wouldn't expect that from cnn.AT? Stick? I can get lower 30's on a trip in my AT Vibe, but in a mix of mostly city driving I see 25-26 mpg. I suspect that is typical. Am trying to keep my freeway driving at 60 rather than 65-70 to see if that helps.

[mcgusto82]

i must have a great batch of vibe.i hve a 5 speed. not janking your chains, but i truly haven'r done lower tham 31 mpg.

[RIT]

I have a 5-sp also, and this summer, i averaged about 36 overall, with 80% highway. i got to the point where i was wondering if someone was adding gas to my tank just to screw with my mind. I average about 33 in the fall/spring, and about 31 in winter. i am very impressed with the mileage. And, i drive 75 in the highway - but very level ground. I tend to keep my tires at about 33 PSI.

[Mr. Poopypants]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »AT? Stick? I can get lower 30's on a trip in my AT Vibe, but in a mix of mostly city driving I see 25-26 mpg. I suspect that is typical. That is exactly what I get.

[jasonvibe]

the CNN site was specifically about the AWD model. Which when you average the city-26 and hwy-31 numbers it comes out to 28mpg. The AWD is turning an additional driveshaft and weighs close to 300# more. Thus the 10% overall difference in mileage compared to the FWD. But still good.

[mcgusto82]

well, this is my first mileage average since moving to NY. my mpg droped to 27. **ck!!!!!this pisses me off!!! i got around 280 miles to the tank.first my insurance goes up 80%, then i gotta pay 600 for rent when i was paying 650 mortgage, now my fuel economy does down too???god, i can't wait till i move from this damm hole (NY)living here is ridiculous expensive.

[BOZACK]

Ya,try living on Long Island. My damn taxes went up again. Mortgage is over $1800 a month now.