Cleveland.Com/Plain Dealer Review

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Putting out good 'Vibes'Thursday, July 31, 2008Terry TroyCleveland Plain Dealer/Cleveland.comhttp://www.cleveland.com/autom...age=3In this day and age of more fuel conscious consumers, just about every automaker is putting out some sort of five-door compact crossover. Pontiac's version, the Vibe, has been redesigned for 2009. Pontiac calls it a modern remix of a classic hit. And I'm inclined to agree.The 2009 version infuses the functionality of a compact crossover with Pontiac's bold attitude and sport-inspired design. The 2009 has all the functionality you would expect from an SUV but has the sportier handling you would expect from the Pontiac brand. I drove the 2009 all-wheel drive Vibe at Junction Buick Pontiac GMC in Chardon."The all-wheel drive system is predominantly front-wheel drive," said Shaun Woolard, a sales consultant with the dealership. "It seamlessly transitions to all-wheel drive when you need it," which in Chardon is just about year round. "Yet despite the snow we get out here, and it is pretty intense, a lot of our customers are opting for the manual transmission so they can save a few dollars on gas," Woolard added.The model Woolard had for me had a lot of curb appeal. The Vibe's sporty stance was enhanced by its red hot metallic body color, which offsets the vehicle's ebony interior. Under the hood, the 2.4-liter dual-overhead-cam, variable-valve timed engine got an estimated 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway."And you can get up to 30 on the highway if you adjust your driving habits," Woolard pointed out.Manual transmission models can achieve mileage as high as 26 in the city and 32 on the highway, with up to 37 miles per gallon possible. For my money, I'd rather be safer in an all-wheel drive.General Motors is doing a better job of building all its vehicles these days, and the Vibe is no different. Looking at the fit and finish, Woolard pointed a few things out."If you notice, the body panels are engineered to be four millimeters or less," he said. "Fewer body gaps means better mileage."It also means that the vehicle will hold together better and longer, which means you should experience less rattles and things shaking apart as the vehicle ages. "The engine is also built better," Woolard added. "There is a piece of kevlar in the serpentine belt so it will last longer. It has hydraulic engine mounts, so that when you hit the accelerator it doesn't thrust the engine back toward the cabin. But if you get into an accident, those mounts will break away so the engine goes underneath the cabin rather than into it. And it has power rack and pinion steering, which is great. There is no more steering fluid, no maintenance, and it doesn't have to warm up in winter. The Vibe also has 100,000-mile, platinum-tipped sparkplugs and has a drivetrain that is a cousin to the Toyota Matrix."This adds up to very nice handling and performance while on the road. Acceleration is adequate but not overpowering. Handling and cornering, however, is excellent.As for the interior, I have always been a fan of Pontiac's sport-inspired cabins, and the Vibe did not disappoint. However, when you're talking about a compact crossover like the Vibe, you need to first talk about functionality. Let's start with storage. The Vibe has eight cup holders, including two inside each door that can hold a 20-ounce beverage. The Vibe also has a two-tiered glove compartment, which is a little bit of overkill.The rear seats fold down 40/60, as they do in all vehicles in this class. But the Vibe has a lift-up, three-compartment storage organizer in the rear with netting to hold cargo like sports equipment or groceries in place. The cargo surface in back is a plastic composite, which is great for dirty work boots or heavy duty cargo."It's also been very popular with my customers who have pets who need to put cages in the back when they are transporting their animals," Woolard said.The front passenger's seat also folds down flat, creating a long storage area."You can actually fit a small kayak in the Vibe with the seats down," Woolard said. "However, it also makes a nice little table if you stop to eat while on the road or if you need a work surface for your laptop."Another feature that makes laptop use more practical is a 115-volt outlet on the center stack.Now for the glitz. The Vibe dash has a textured feel that complements the sporty, driver's focused cockpit. Over the wheel there is a unique three-dial setup with a round tachometer to the left, speedometer in the center, and a fuel gauge and other driver information to the right.The shifter is on the center stack rather than on the console, opening up the latter for more convenient storage. Three analog dials on the center stack control the climate, as is found on most GM vehicles.The 2009 Pontiac Vibe all-wheel drive that I drove carried a sticker price of $20,715, including a $585 destination and handling charge.When you factor in a solid three-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with roadside assistance and five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, you're getting peace of mind, as well as a lot of utility and style for your money. 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD Pros and ConsPROS1. The Vibe has a lot of storage, like eight cup holders and a three compartment storage organizer in the rear.2. The Vibe has excellent sight lines and is packed with a host of safety features.3. Cargo surfaces in the back are a plastic composite, which lends itself to the Vibe's sporty personality.4. The front passenger seat folds down flat to create a small table.CONS1. For all its sporty styling, the Vibe's acceleration could be a little better.2. Fuel economy of the AWD version is adequate. If you want better fuel economy, you might want to try a manual transmission.Terry Troy is a freelance writer specializing in the automotive industry. Terry can be reached at Terrytroy@aol.com. Really a pretty decent article overall.