Even though the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe's twin sister, is sold on a larger scale, the two companies have maintained their partnership in order to manufacture the second generation of their small hatchbacks.

For 2009, the Pontiac Vibe sports a more futuristic look.

The 2009 Pontiac Vibe sports a more futuristic look. The body is all angles, hardly a fluid line or curve to be seen, but this hard-cut style suits it very well. Despite its avant-garde tendencies, the car's design is contemporary and will age well. It won't make it into the history books, but the designers have deployed a solid effort.

The interior is a bit crowded, as was the case of the Pontiacs in the 1990s, and overflows with controls that could have been much simpler. It's obvious that the people at Pontiac wanted to go all out, but unfortunately they overdid it. Thankfully, the interior and exterior finishes are in good taste.

Our test vehicle didn't boast many convenient features, and the controls weren't absolutely ergonomic. In fact, they weren't very ergonomic at all: even if the sound system controls are part of the features, they weren't integrated into the steering wheel, which would have greatly improved the user-friendliness of the interior, and they weren't as pleasant to use as several of the others.

However, the audio system does pump out very good sound. The 7-speaker, 320-watt amplified Monsoon sound system is able and, above all, efficient.

The passenger compartment is well designed. Even if space is limited, the front and rear seats are easily accessible and comfortable, but not overly so. As for the cargo area, its modular design includes a subfloor that, upright, divides the space into compartments that allow you to organize your stuff. Again, and this is not very generous of me, you get the feeling that they could have done better.

The driving position, without being bad, is certainly not the Vibe's strong point: even though it offers appropriate visibility, it's not comfortable.

The modular design includes a subfloor that, upright, divides the space into compartments.

Capable but hesitant
The 2.4-litre DOHC VVT-i engine, designed by Toyota and used on the Vibe, is an impressive one. With 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, it allows for some surprising acceleration for a 4-cylinder engine. It confidently embarks on the highway at 100 km/h and passes other cars with ease.

The engine makes good use of its torque, and its flexibility ensures enjoyable driving. The 4-speed transmission is honest without paying tribute to the beauty of the engine. However, fuel consumption is quite decent, averaging 8 litres per 100 kilometres.

As for steering, precision obviously wasn't the designers' goal. Despite a variable assist rack and pinion power steering system, it remains inert and lacks the vigour that would allow for any kind of exciting driving experience. The car's handling isn't the best in its class but is still easily predictable.

With 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, it allows for some surprising acceleration.

The all-wheel drive system is capable but, contrary to what we usually see, it actually dilutes the driving experience. It seems that the car doesn't adequately control the system's added weight, diminishing the already limited ride enjoyment.

Competition
This class of vehicle is relatively new, and not all manufacturers have taken the plunge. Obviously, Toyota and GM jointly created the Vibe and the Matrix XR AWD ($24,495), which can only be told apart by their style and resale price. The Chrysler group is also in the game, offering one model per make: the aging PT Cruiser Touring ($25,395), the Dodge Caliber R/T TI ($25,395) and the Jeep Compass 4RM North ($22,595). There's also some internal competition, the Chevrolet HHR LT ($24,940). And for bigger spenders, there's the Mercedes-Benz B200 ($29,900), which features approximately the same configuration, enhanced by outstanding quality.

Conclusion
The Vibe is an interesting car, but the mechanical aspect lacks consistency. Apart from that, it generally does its job well and will surely satisfy small families.