2009 Pontiac Vibe Review

Below the bumper-cover is a secondary wide grille with fog lights outboard; GT models have a deeper, more aggressive front end. While it's still quite restrained and free of cladding relative to past Pontiacs, small affectations in the form of black plastic, non-functional vents are adjacent the fog lights and ahead of the rear wheel; the latter will be a nuisance to keep clean.

From the side, the Vibe looks like the bows that might go with the arrowhead logo; a long, nearly straight windshield line arches over above the front window and stays straight as it carries all the way to the rear pillar. The Vibe follows current trends in the smaller window area to visually eliminate some of its height.

The dipped front window line gives a good view forward and of the mirror but despite the small, triangular rear quarter-window the rear corners could still obscure your view for backing into tight spaces.

All the lines flow nicely, the front lights tapering into the fender, and the fender into the windshield pillar at top and the rocker panel below the doors. A mild scallop in the lower doors and subtly flared wheel openings add dimension without adding unnecessary creases and sharp edges. Larger wheels make it look better, especially in lighter colors that emphasize the fender openings.

The rear aspect of the Vibe is perhaps the plainest, the flat rear window line not flowing like the curves elsewhere. A lower bumper styled to resemble a racecar diffuser helps, and the rear spoiler on GTs will mitigate rear passenger neck sunburn, but the tail doesn't quite have the excitement Pontiac is fond of. On our GT, the radio antenna mast on the centerline ahead of the spoiler was complemented by a smaller satellite antenna set off to the side in a rear corner, a location far less than complimentary in terms of appearance.