2005 Pontiac Vibe New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
Now entering its third year in production, the 2005 Pontiac Vibe sees few changes. The front end is subtly restyled for a more cohesive appearance. Leather seating surfaces, side curtain airbags, a StabiliTrak vehicle stability system, a tire pressure monitor, and OnStar are now available safety options. The Moon and Tunes value package now includes an integrated subwoofer, while power programmable door locks are now available on the base model and standard on the all-wheel-drive 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Platinum and Moonstone are added to the color wheel, while Satellite and Shadow are deleted.

Advantages of the 2005 Pontiac Vibe:

• Roomy and versatile interior
• Sharp handling with the GT model
• Available all-wheel-drive
• Standard 110-volt power point
• Toyota mechanicals wrapped in handsome GM bodywork

Objections to the 2005 Pontiac Vibe:

• Drive-it-like-you-hate-it GT powertrain
• Buzzy engines
• Notchy manual shifter
• Overwhelmed engine when all-wheel-drive is ordered

Editor's Advice:
The 2005 Pontiac Vibe is a solid, functional, crossover vehicle that can serve many needs at once. Base models could use more power, especially when equipped with all-wheel-drive, while the sporty GT must be revved hard to make its maximum 180 horsepower. The GT is an excellent handling vehicle, able to carve a canyon with surprising verve. And with Toyota mechanicals under the bodywork, reliability is almost a guarantee. We highly recommend the 2005 Pontiac Vibe if a crossover SUV-wagon thingamabob is what you're looking for.