The stylish sport wagon Pontiac Vibe blends SUV versatility with car-like handling and safety. With seating for four, the youth-oriented Vibe is packed with storage compartments. Both the rear seats and the front passenger seat fold down to offer up to eight feet of cargo space. The trunk features tie-downs and a track to which cargo can be attached. The 2005 Pontiac Vibe comes in base front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and GT trims. All are powered by a 1.8-liter I4 engine, but where the base model gets 130-hp, the AWD only gets 123-hp. The performance GT wagon has tuned the engine to receive 180-hp and adds 16-inch wheels and as sports suspension. The AWD features a 4-speed auto tran only, while the base model includes both the automatic and a 5-speed manual. On the GT, only a 6-speed manual is available. Power mirrors are the only power feature in the base model, but it does offer air conditioning and a CD player. ABS brakes become standard only with the AWD and GT trims, and are optional on the two-wheel drive base.
New for the 2005 Vibe is a revised front end. It also gets a lot more options this year, including Stabilitrak, side impact and side curtain airbags, and OnStar. A tire pressure monitor is also new, and it comes standard on the GT. Various packages add on power features, a sunroof, and satellite radio. Dealer-installed extras include rear and roof spoilers and a supercharger for the engine.
Owners of the 2005 Pontiac Vibe says it's roomy (both head and legs) and very comfortable. Though the engine is noisy upon acceleration, once you hit cruising speed, the Vibe is pretty fast. They love the fuel economy, cargo versatility, and slightly raised ride height. Aside from the acceleration issue, the other complaint focused on a poorly made cargo cover.