Pontiac Vibe

Pontiac Vibe: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Pontiac Vibe, the data split the decision into twelve named versions across two generations (the first generation includes a restyling). Body type is Hatchback 5-door throughout. For speed, the 1.8 MT at 180 hp (1 generation and 1 generation, restyling) is the only version with a measured 8.5 s to 100 km/h and 210 km/h.

If you are choosing a Pontiac Vibe, the data split the decision into twelve named versions across two generations (the first generation includes a restyling). Body type is Hatchback 5-door throughout. For speed, the 1.8 MT at 180 hp (1 generation and 1 generation, restyling) is the only version with a measured 8.5 s to 100 km/h and 210 km/h. For all-weather traction, buy 1.8 AT 124 hp AWD (first generation, both periods) or 2.4 AT 158 hp AWD (2 generation). For measured fuel use, only 2 generation lists mpg-style figures: 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT at 132 hp share 9.1 / 7.4 / 8.4 L/100 km (city / highway / mixed); both 2.4 AT versions use 11.2 / 7.4 / 9.8. First-generation fuel use is not measured.

Which generation to choose

1 generation (September 2002–August 2004) and 1 generation, restyling (September 2004–August 2008) share the same four version names and the same power/torque/0–100/top-speed figures. Restyling is not a third generation: it is the same 1 generation line with a 5 L larger tank (55 L vs 50 L) and, on 1.8 AT 124 hp AWD and 1.8 MT 130 hp, front brakes change from Disc to Ventilated disc. Kerb weight, ground clearance (140 mm), and performance stay the same. If the tank and front discs are what you want, restyling is the 1 generation car to buy; if those two items do not matter, original 1 generation and restyling are equivalent on the measured numbers.

2 generation (March 2008–August 2010) drops the 180 hp 1.8 MT and the 124 hp AWD 1.8 AT. It adds two 2.4 AT 158 hp versions (FWD and AWD), raises ground clearance to 147 mm (+7 mm vs 140 mm), and is the only generation with measured consumption. Tank returns to 50 L. 0–100 and top speed are not measured for any 2 generation version. Buy 2 generation if you need the 2.4 engine, listed mpg, disc rear brakes on every version, or the extra 7 mm of clearance. Buy 1 generation if you need the 180 hp 1.8 MT or a measured 0–100 time.

Pontiac Vibe engine options compared (hp per litre)

All engines are Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point). Fuel grade is 95 except 2.4 AT (92).

The 180 hp 1.8 MT is the only engine that breaks 100 hp per litre (100.3). Compression is 11.5 and bore × stroke is 82 × 85 vs 10 and 79 × 91.5 on the 124/130 hp 1.8s. Peak power is at 7600 rpm, not 6000; peak torque is at 6800 rpm, not 4200. That is a high-rev 1.8, not a larger engine: displacement stays 1794 cc, torque is only 6 Nm above the 130 hp 1.8 MT (176 vs 170).

The 2 generation 1.8 (1798 cc, 132 hp, 174 Nm) is 2 hp and 4 Nm above the restyle 130 hp 1.8 (1794 cc). Specific output is 73.4 vs 72.5 hp/L — almost the same engine class. Compression, bore × stroke, 0–100, top speed, and kerb weight for 2 generation 1.8 are not measured.

2.4 AT is the least specific (66.9 hp/L) but the most torque: 224 Nm at 4000 rpm is 50 Nm above 2 generation 1.8 (174 Nm) and 48 Nm above 180 hp 1.8 MT (176 Nm). If you buy on mid-range pull rather than peak hp/L, 2.4 AT is the version; if you buy on hp/L and peak speed, 180 hp 1.8 MT is the version.

Pontiac Vibe horsepower vs weight (kg per hp)

Kerb weight is measured only on 1 generation and restyling. Gross weight is not measured on any version. Wheel size is not measured on any version.

• 1.8 AT 124 hp AWD: 1370 kg → 11.05 kg/hp (heaviest, least power density).
• 1.8 MT 130 hp FWD: 1350 kg → 10.38 kg/hp.
• 1.8 MT 180 hp FWD: 1275 kg → 7.08 kg/hp (best power density).
• 1.8 AT 130 hp FWD: 1225 kg → 9.42 kg/hp (lightest car, not the strongest).

The 180 hp 1.8 MT is 50 kg heavier than the 130 hp 1.8 AT (1275 vs 1225) but 50 hp stronger, so it still undercuts the light 1.8 AT by 2.34 kg/hp. AWD on 1.8 AT 124 hp costs 145 kg versus FWD 1.8 AT 130 hp (1370 − 1225) and 6 hp; that is the weight penalty of AWD in this catalogue, not a different body.

2 generation kerb weight is not measured, so kg/hp cannot be calculated there.

Pontiac Vibe GT-class pick: 1.8 MT 180 hp

People searching “pontiac vibe gt” map onto the 180 hp 1.8 MT in 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling. Same name 1.8 MT as the 130 hp car — distinguish by 180 hp vs 130 hp.

What the extra 50 hp buys vs 130 hp 1.8 MT (same generation): 1.5 s quicker 0–100 (8.5 vs 10), 30 km/h more top speed (210 vs 180), one extra gear (Manual 6 vs Manual 5), 75 kg less kerb weight on restyle/original (1275 vs 1350), rear brakes Disc instead of Drum. Fuel use is not measured on either, so the economy cost of the 180 hp engine is not measured.

Vs 130 hp 1.8 AT FWD: 2.7 s quicker 0–100 (8.5 vs 11.2), +30 km/h top speed, Manual 6 vs Automatic 4. Vs 124 hp 1.8 AT AWD: 4.5 s quicker (8.5 vs 13), +33 km/h (210 vs 177). You give up AWD: 180 hp 1.8 MT is FWD only. There is no AWD manual in this data.

The 180 hp engine is not in 2 generation. A 2009 or 2010 Pontiac Vibe cannot be this version.

Pontiac Vibe AWD: 1.8 AT 124 hp vs 2.4 AT 158 hp

Two AWD versions exist.

1.8 AT 124 hp AWD (1 generation and restyling): 124 hp, 160 Nm, Automatic 4, 13.0 s to 100 km/h, 177 km/h, 1370 kg, 140 mm clearance, tank 50 L then 55 L after restyling. Fuel use not measured. Rear brakes Drum. Rear suspension Independent, spring.

2.4 AT 158 hp AWD (2 generation only): 158 hp (+34), 224 Nm (+64), Automatic 5 (+1 gear), 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, kerb weight not measured, 147 mm clearance (+7), tank 50 L, fuel 11.2 / 7.4 / 9.8 L/100 km, rear brakes Disc.

If you need a measured 0–100 and top speed with AWD, only 1.8 AT 124 hp qualifies. If you need more torque, an extra automatic ratio, disc rear brakes, and listed consumption, 2.4 AT AWD is the later AWD. There is no Pontiac Vibe AWD manual in the data.

The 2 generation 2.4 AT FWD and 2.4 AT AWD share 158 hp, 224 Nm, 11.2 / 7.4 / 9.8, 50 L, 147 mm, and Automatic 5. Drive is the only listed difference. AWD does not add measured consumption in this generation (same three fuel figures). Kerb weight for both is not measured, so an AWD weight penalty is not measured in 2 generation.

Pontiac Vibe mpg: 1.8 vs 2.4 in 2 generation

Only 2 generation (including 2009 and 2010) has consumption.

1.8 MT 132 hp and 1.8 AT 132 hp: 9.1 city, 7.4 highway, 8.4 mixed. Manual 5 vs Automatic 4 does not change the listed L/100 km.

2.4 AT 158 hp (FWD and AWD): 11.2 city, 7.4 highway, 9.8 mixed.

Highway is identical (7.4). City is 2.1 L/100 km higher on 2.4. Mixed is 1.4 L/100 km higher. On a 50 L tank, mixed range arithmetic is 50/8.4 ≈ 595 km for 1.8 vs 50/9.8 ≈ 510 km for 2.4 (−85 km). City range: 50/9.1 ≈ 549 km vs 50/11.2 ≈ 446 km (−103 km). Highway range is the same tank and the same 7.4, so the same 50/7.4 ≈ 676 km.

First-generation mpg (2005, 2006, and the restyling years) is not measured. Do not treat a blank as zero use.

Manual vs automatic on the 1.8 FWD

On 1 generation and restyling, 1.8 MT 130 hp vs 1.8 AT 130 hp: same 130 hp, 170 Nm, 1794 cc, 95 fuel, FWD. Manual 5 vs Automatic 4. 0–100 is 10.0 vs 11.2 s (automatic is 1.2 s slower). Top speed is 180 km/h on both. Kerb weight is 1350 vs 1225 kg: the automatic FWD is 125 kg lighter in this catalogue, so the slower 0–100 is not explained by extra mass. Rear suspension on 130 hp 1.8 AT is Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem; on 130 hp 1.8 MT it is Independent, spring.

On 2 generation, 1.8 MT 132 hp vs 1.8 AT 132 hp: same 132 hp, 174 Nm, same 9.1 / 7.4 / 8.4, same 147 mm, same Independent, spring both ends, same Ventilated disc / Disc brakes. 0–100 and top speed not measured. The gearbox is the only listed mechanical difference (Manual 5 vs Automatic 4).

Pontiac Vibe weight, size, tank, clearance

Wheel size is not measured on any version. Gross weight / weight capacity is not measured. Length is not in the data.

Ground clearance: 140 mm on all 1 generation and restyling versions; 147 mm on all 2 generation versions.

Tank: 50 L on 1 generation (2002–2004) and on all 2 generation versions; 55 L on restyling (2004–2008). Restyling is the only period with 55 L.

Kerb weight (1 generation = restyling): 1225 kg (1.8 AT 130 hp), 1275 kg (1.8 MT 180 hp), 1350 kg (1.8 MT 130 hp), 1370 kg (1.8 AT 124 hp AWD). 2 generation kerb weight is not measured.

Pontiac Vibe specs 2005 / 2006 vs 2009 / 2010

A 2005 or 2006 Pontiac Vibe is 1 generation, restyling: four versions, all 1.8, tank 55 L, 140 mm, measured 0–100 and top speed, fuel not measured, no 2.4 AT.

A 2009 or 2010 Pontiac Vibe is 2 generation: 1.8 MT 132 hp, 1.8 AT 132 hp, 2.4 AT 158 hp AWD, 2.4 AT 158 hp FWD; tank 50 L; 147 mm; consumption measured; 0–100 and top speed not measured; no 180 hp 1.8 MT.

Which version to choose

• Fastest measured Pontiac Vibe: 1.8 MT 180 hp, 1 generation or restyling. 8.5 s, 210 km/h, 7.08 kg/hp, 100.3 hp/L. Fuel not measured. FWD only.
• Lightest measured: 1.8 AT 130 hp FWD, 1225 kg, 11.2 s, 180 km/h. Same in original and restyling.
• AWD with measured performance: 1.8 AT 124 hp. 13.0 s, 177 km/h, 1370 kg. Restyling adds 5 L tank and Ventilated disc fronts.
• AWD with more torque and listed mpg: 2.4 AT 158 hp AWD, 2 generation. 224 Nm, 11.2 / 7.4 / 9.8, 147 mm. 0–100 not measured.
• Same power as AWD 2.4 without AWD: 2.4 AT 158 hp FWD — identical listed fuel and power.
• Lowest listed consumption: 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT 132 hp, 2 generation, 8.4 mixed. 0–100 not measured. No 180 hp option in this generation.
• 1.8 FWD automatic, first generation: 1.8 AT 130 hp if you want the lightest kerb weight in the catalogue.
• 1.8 FWD manual, first generation, not 180 hp: 1.8 MT 130 hp — 10.0 s vs 11.2 for the automatic, Independent, spring rear vs Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on the 130 hp automatic.

CO2, eco class, and wheel sizes are not measured on any version. Prices are not in this dataset; the comparisons above are power, mass, time, fuel, tank, and clearance only.