2008 Pontiac Vibe Review

What the reviewers like:
Fuel economy is the 2008 Pontiac Vibe wagon's main asset in reviews. For a small wagon, it has a roomy interior and easy backseat access, reviewers say. Testers find the front seat comfortable, too.

What the reviewers don't like:
The 2008 Pontiac Vibe costs more and depreciates faster than the nearly identical Toyota Matrix, even though the Pontiac Vibe gets worse reliability ratings, experts say. Testers find the engine noisy and the steering wheel too far away.

EPA fuel economy estimate: 25 to 26 mpg city, 31 to 33 mpg highway, depending on transmission

2008 Pontiac Vibe review highlights

Interestingly, the Pontiac Vibe isn't recommended nearly as often as the nearly identical Toyota Matrix (*est. $15,510 to $17,820). The main difference seems to be predicted reliability: The Toyota Matrix's is excellent, as are most Toyotas, while some reviewers don't expect the Pontiac's reliability to be quite that good. The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix have slight styling differences, but both post best-in-class 29 mpg mixed fuel economy. Reviewers praise the Pontiac Vibe's comfortable front seat, easy-access rear seat and flexible interior. But like the Toyota Matrix, testers find the Pontiac Vibe noisy. More than one reviewer found the Pontiac Vibe's steering wheel positioned too far away. Critics say the Pontiac Vibe doesn't hold its value as well as the Toyota Matrix.

Reviewers usually pair the Pontiac Vibe with its twin, the Toyota Matrix (*est. $15,510 to $17,820). Both share the same Toyota Corolla base and come off the same production line. In thorough road tests, Consumer Reports finds the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix almost identical. Comparative reviews at BusinessWeek and Kiplinger's Personal Finance don't differentiate between the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix, ranking them both ahead of competitors for best-in-class fuel efficiency. IntelliChoice.com names the Pontiac Vibe wagon to its Best In Class list, awarding it a Smart Choice award for 2007 and noting that it costs less to operate than any other small wagon. CarCritic.com finds the Pontiac Vibe a "very nice choice" in its non-comparative review.

Also see full report: Station Wagons

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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2008 Pontiac Vibe Review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports reviews the Pontiac Vibe wagon and its twin, the Toyota Matrix, and finds them almost identical. The review rates the Pontiac Vibe's predicted reliability and depreciation as well as providing owner satisfaction survey results and road-test ratings of the Pontiac Vibe's ride, fuel economy, comfort and more, but you must be a subscriber to read this report.

2. Business Week
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Best Wagons: Most Fuel-Efficient
Editors of BusinessWeek
Jul-07

BusinessWeek lumps the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix together into one entry in its "Best Wagons" list, naming them both "Most Fuel Efficient." This brief description includes pricing and fuel consumption data.

3. Kiplinger Personal Finance
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Most Fuel Efficient (Tie)
By Mark Solheim and Jessica Anderson
Nov. 2006

The Pontiac Vibe ties with the Toyota Matrix as "Most Fuel-Efficient Wagon." The Pontiac Vibe wagon is more expensive than its twin, the Toyota Matrix wagon, Kiplinger's notes, although the review says Pontiac incentives usually bring the cost into line.

4. IntelliChoice.com
2007 Pontiac Vibe FWD
Editors of IntelliChoice.com

The 2007 version of the Pontiac Vibe is an IntelliChoice.com Best In Class winner, achieving the lowest operating cost among small wagons and winning a Smart Choice award for 2007. IntelliChoice.com includes pricing and cost of ownership information along with a list of standard features.

5. CarCritic.com
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2008 Pontiac Vibe Review
Don Vorderman

Reviewer Don Vorderman calls the Pontiac Vibe a "very nice choice," noting that it is built at the same factory and on the same production line as the Toyota Matrix – an association that is the Pontiac Vibe's most appealing feature, he says, as it piggybacks on Toyota's reputation for quality.

Also see full report: Station Wagons