2008 Pontiac Vibe AWD
New and Refreshed

SPECS

MSRP: $18,910; total vehicle price $22,030; destination $585
Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC VVT-I,158 horsepower, 162 lb.-ft torque
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Width: 69.4 in.
Length: 171.9 in.
Height: 62.7 in.
Weight: 3,295 lbs.
Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Fuel Economy: 20/26 mpg
Tires: 16-inch all season
Wheels: 16-inch steel; optional 17-inch aluminum, chrome clad ($650)
Warranty: 5 yr./100,000-mile powertrain limited
Assembly: NUMMI Assembly, Fremont, CA

Redesigned for 2008, Pontiac Vibe is available in both sporty GT and all-wheel-drive variants. You might not recognize its somewhat new shape at first. I didn't. I thought it might be a Saturn Astra, then with closer inspection, realized it was the tweaked Vibe.

With an MSRP of $19,495, the Vibe is about average in its pricing; which is to say, it's at the $20,000 mark. High for what you're getting, maybe, but what the going rate is for today's average vehicle. Competitors to the Pontiac Vibe include the Mazda3, 5-door and the Nissan Versa, as well as its stablemate, the Toyota Matrix.

Back for 2008 is Pontiac's revised All-wheel-drive (AWD) system with all-road capability. Staying competitive, Vibe competes with the likes of the small Suzuki SX4 5-door car, also with all-wheel-drive capability.

Standard features on the 2008 Pontiac Vibe include 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, six air bags, OnStar safety system, Electronic Stability system, AM/FM/CD radio with auxiliary input jack, XM Satellite Radio (first 3 months included), Air-conditioning, roof rack, and 16-inch steel wheels.

Safety features abound on the redesigned Vibe and include front and side airbags, as well as Thorax and Pelvic driver/passenger sensing airbags, front head curtain and side airbags, and a 1-year OnStar service safe and sound plan. Anti-lock brakes, a tire pressure monitor, and daytime driving lights are also part of the safety features on the new Vibe.

Additional standard features on our test Vibe included carpeted floor mats, a rake/telescopic streering wheel, 115 volt 3-prong household style outlet on the instrument panel, center console storage, fold-flat front passenger seat, 60/40-fold flat rear seating, solar ray light tinted glass, dual outside power mirrors, and rear window wiper/defogger.

The options included on the 2008 Vibe included the Sun and Sound Package which features a power sunroof, AM/FM stereo with CD player with MP3 format and auxiliary input, Audio System (7 speaker Monsoon premium sound), leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and leather wrap shift knob ($1,285); the Preferred Package including remote keyless entry, power door locks, power windows, cruise control, and front/rear variable intermittent wipers ($1,070); and 17-inch aluminum wheels, chrome clad($650; and fog lamps, front, integral ($115).