Pontiac Vibe reviews

2009 Pontiac Vibe Interior Features

Three overlapping nacelles, one of them oval, provide the instrument panel focal point both literally and figuratively. The lighted gauges display road speed in the center, engine speed to the left, and temperature/fuel/mileage data in a tube-shaped opening at lower right.

This central pod is surrounded by brighter-finish trim and a pair of protruding vents that line the top of the dash like a frog's eyes. The audio system sits top center, with basic three-ring ventilation controls below it and at the bottom the panel just rearward and houses the shifter like an old Alfa Romeo; the handbrake is in a more traditional location on the driver's side of the center console.

With prices starting just over $15,000 you won't find a leather-lined cabin and lots of soft-touch surfaces, yet the door panels and center armrest are comfortably shaped and there are no rough edges on the plastic trim. The bright trim of the dash is repeated on the front doors and inside handles, the headliner is light gray to improve spaciousness, and the upholstery is dark gray.

Seat-adjustment is manual and includes cushion height; add in a tilt wheel that also telescopes a bit and most drivers will fit. The GT's bolstered seats provide some lateral retention, though they were a bit lacking in lumbar and mid-back support, so you'll want to stretch at fuel stops. The dash-mounted shifter is more convenient than it may sound. The clutch pedal rests higher than the other pedals, keeping your left leg bent more than the right.

Outward visibility is fairly good forward. The A-pillars are small enough to see around without craning and the sloping hood gives a good close-in view of everything but the car itself. The view straight back isn't bad, either; there is no center headrest blocking the view and the rear wiper sweeps a good area, but those rear pillars are big.

Regardless of what detailed specifications suggest, the 2009 Vibe is roomier than before inside, with space for four six-footers to ride simultaneously without knees or heads stuck against the car. Although the rear floor is essentially flat you won't put three back there unless waists are 28 inches or less, and if two backseat passengers complain they can always walk.

Despite the loss of a half-inch in rated headroom and four inches in hip room because of measurement standards, the rear seat is generally bigger than before. We put a pair of 6-foot, 3-inch riders back there who reported satisfactory head clearance. There are three belts, though all three can be used simultaneously only by kids and waif-like models. The rear-seat floor is almost flat with only a slight rise up to the console.

Cargo space is a usable 20 cubic feet. Additional space is provided by compartments below the floor. Folding the rear seatbacks more than doubles the space. Both the seatbacks and floor have skid-resistant plastic runners so the tie-down points don't do all the work in cargo retention. The right front seatback folds flat, providing space for long, slender objects. Trunk area covers are optional, and a wise investment to conceal valuables.