Over at the
Blog, I recently reviewed the previous-generation Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix as an economical Used Car "best bet". This past week, I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 variant.
To be honest, not a whole lot has changed. But that can be a good thing, right? At first glance, the styling is more modern inside and out, but the overall equation remains the same.
I figured a quick review would be appropriate based on 2 key points: new vehicles just aren't being bought in large quantities right now (consequently, a review shift has been placed on used vehicles) and secondly, the model refresh leaves a similar vehicle in place of the old model.
The rugged utility and frugal 1.8L engine remains a cornerstone of the lineup. You'll still find a 115V household outlet/inverter, nearly 50 square feet of gracious cargo capacity, and Toyota mannerisms (the Toyota Matrix is made in the same plant in California in joint venture between Toyota and GM -- 60% of components, including the drivetrain is Toyota-sourced). A 2.4L engine, All-Wheel Drive, Manual Transmission and Sport packages are available.
A few quirks were pretty noticeable -- mostly squeaks and rattles. The driver's door and window would squeak relative to temperature and how far the window was rolled-up. It required moving the window just a smidge downward to align the gap, but the door still emitted a sqeak. Then there was an annoying rattle in the wide-expanse of that hard plastic dash. Hopefully, all first year glitches to be worked out later.
The biggest downfall was the FE. I could squeeze 35 mpg without trying in the older models. This time around, under slightly cooler conditions, the best was 30.4. I'm guessing that a slight boost in power and engine dynamics resulted in the drop. The vehicle had ~9000 miles, so I would consider it sufficiently broken-in. Perhaps a change in the drag-coefficient could be to blame.
Power was more than adequate and pretty flat throughout the rev-band. This is likely due to a difference in the variable valve timing. Handling was pretty sharp and didn't push too much in hard cornering. The ride wasn't necessarily rough, but somewhat tight -- especially through the firm seats. Again, the Corolla seat was sourced and isn't the most comfortable.
Compared to the 2004-2008 model run, the 2009 hasn't lived up to the name. It's still a good option for a 5-door, but I'd have to recommend the older ones.
Raw Data:
Vehicle Tested: 2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L/Base
Engine: 1.8L Toyota Powerplant with VVT — rated at 128 HP and 132 lb-ft torque, 4-speed Auto
EPA Class: Small Station Wagon
EPA FE: 26 City / 31 Highway / 28 Combined Cycle
Averages as Tested:
30.4 MPG at 58 MPH avg, over 473 miles.
Route: Kansas City - Wichita, KS - Kansas City
Weather Conditions: 30F - 50F, Clear, Winds Calm
RPM @ 60 MPH: 2300
Driving Style: Average