2005 Pontiac Vibe | Review | Buying Guide
By now you’ve surely felt the vibe. It may have preceded the actual Vibe, or maybe it happened simultaneously when you first set eyes on what was then an admittedly strange form. But now it’s here, as it has entrenched itself in the automotive landscape with a blend of flexibility and drivability.
Additional safety features and revised styling mark the 2005 edition of Pontiac's crossover wagon. The new look is a result of a restyled front fascia and grille and new fabric patterns. New safety features include a standard passive suppression airbag system on the passenger side, a tire pressure monitor standard on all but base models, an available side curtain airbag system coupled with side thorax air bags (in seat) and the available StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system.
Like last year, the Vibe is available with a number of dealer-installed features that spice up both the car’s appearance and performance. Among the accessories is a supercharger for two-wheel drive base models that boosts Vibe’s horsepower up to 175.
Under the Hood
There are two Vibe trims, each with separate engines. The base model is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It uses a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing. In the two-wheel drive configuration, it produces 130 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 125 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm.
All-wheel drive models have specs of 123 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. 4-speed automatic (AWD) and 5-speed manual transmissions are both available.
Uplevel GT models do not offer all-wheel drive, but they do have more power. Their engine is a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder model with 170 horsepower at 7600 rpm and 127 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. 6-speed manual transmission is standard.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
The Vibe is all about practical applications. With one touch, the rear seats fold flat, creating a level load floor and 54.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. In addition, the front passenger seat folds flat into a worktable or surface to accommodate cargo up to 8 feet long.
The Vibe features a 115-volt standard power outlet with a wall-type plug. Located in the front console, it can accommodate a laptop computer, cell phone charger, portable vacuum and anything else you can plug in.
Also available for Vibe in 2005 is the thumping “Moon & Tunes” package, which combines a power-operated moonroof with an audio system anchored by a new, integrated sub-woofer.
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