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Used 2009 Pontiac Vibe Hatchback Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
161 reviews
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Pros
Cons
4.75 out of 5 stars

2009 Vibe 1.8 automatic

brisan, 11/20/2014
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
44 of 44 people found this review helpful

I bought this car with 8000 miles on it and put on an additional 60,000 miles before it was totalled out in a crash with a 4 wheel drive pickup truck. We were driving almost 50 mph when the truck turned into us from the turn lane. We hit drivers side bumpers and came to an instant stop. My wife and I were banged up and bruised but able to walk away. We found out it had 4 and 5 stars in crash tests. We loved this car and got between 32 and 36 mpg depending on driving habits and time of the year. We never had a single problem with it and are now in the process of finding another one to purchase.

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4 out of 5 stars

Great little car

George Dossett, 11/09/2015
2009 Pontiac Vibe GT 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
24 of 24 people found this review helpful

Very reliable. Found many good condition cars with 200k miles.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

This car does everything well (almost)

Daniel C, 07/11/2018
updated 01/19/2021
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
22 of 22 people found this review helpful

This car is a real looker. It's what the Kia Soul should have looked like, if the Soul were a hatchback as in a normal, not boxy car. The engine is great, starter is quiet for an economy car. This model was equipped with GM's auto-crank technology (flick the key to start and release, the starter will keep cranking until the engine catches.) It's the Toyota 1.8 from the Corolla and it's excellent in this car. Great match to the automatic 4 speed transmission. Easier to get into and out of than lower slung cars. XM radio and stability control are nice touches, although I've tried to provoke the VSC and it seems to kick in a little late (this could be due to Pontiac's marketing of a "sporting" demeanor.) They put an actual 115 volt household outlet in the car too, although there is a cutoff point to how many watts the plugged in object can be. The outlet will shut down if the limit is exceeded. A good driving position for tall people still leaves your feet a little closer to the pedals than you'll really be comfortable with, but, minor issue. Handling is stable but not sport worthy. The ride can best be described as firm but not punishing, well controlled. Climate controls are Toyota and very easy to figure out. Lots of cupholders and storage space. There's even (flimsy) cup holders in the back and storage space under the trunk floor (it's not much space though). Cargo space is good and expandable to one back seat down, both and even the front passenger seat folds if needed. Overall a great driving car for what it is. 4 speed automatic transmission shifts VERY smoothly. if it doesn't something's wrong. Keep up on the maintenance and repairs and this car will run forever. I did the normal maintenance (update 1-15-21), and have not done any unexpected repairs, replaced shocks and brakes (normal wear/tear), and the car has been very good to me. Road and engine noise are not the best, but hey it's an economy car. The VSC computer has a feature, where if it senses you are rolling downhill and if you apply more than a certain amount of pressure on the brakes, the transmission will actually downshift to keep your speed in check. Nice feature.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

MyVibeGT

Greg, 07/01/2018
2009 Pontiac Vibe GT 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
21 of 21 people found this review helpful

Just about the best car I have ever owned! Best things: Super reliable, Toyota sibling but with Pontiac styling. At 170,000 still going strong. Peppy acceleration, great handling, awesome sound system, 30+MPG Hwy. Worst things: Ride is stiff, seats somewhat uncomfortable for long trips. Engine vibration, I think I need new motor mounts. Wish they still made them, I'd but another one today!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Good Vibes!

goodvibes, 04/05/2011
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
43 of 45 people found this review helpful

I was looking for a luxurious sporty car, and test drove the Vibe on a whim because it caught my eye. I fell in love with this car and could not be more happy with my purchase. The Vibe is well built for a car of it's class. I feel confidant that I will be driving my Vibe for many years. Mine had 36k on it when I bought her. I was able to buy a GMAC warranty for a whopping $1100. due to the low miles. I have my oil changes done at the dealership due to the type of oil the Vibe requires. I have my dogs kennel tethered to the child seat restraint hooks in the back seat.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Little Hatchback

LostPsyche, 11/19/2010
2009 Pontiac Vibe GT 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful

I have only had this car a month and I love this thing. It is really fun to drive and seems to be really solid on the road even in the turns. It is no Mazda 3 but for me it is sporty enough with a lot of practical applications. I really wish GM had not killed this car off, they could have re-badged it to a Chevy or Buick nameplate which is a shame that they just let it drop instead. The cruise control takes a bit to get used to. The Engine is nice too, a little torquey on take offs but it is a solid engine and great for quick merges.

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5 out of 5 stars

Great small white utility car 1.8 Automatic

ingrid, 10/14/2015
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful

I got mine when the model was new in late 2008 , and over the years the car had a bunch of recalls on both the GM and Toyota component but no problem getting them done by the dealership.The biggest recall was on the CV boots. At 82,000 miles I am on my second set of tires, brakes .Some small chip paint on the hood , no discoloration on headlamps.Inside ,the volume knob is only part that is loose . I do notice the accelaration from 0-65 is not as fast as it use to be but once you are there it accelrates to 75-85 pretty fast . I am fast safe driver on the freeway. Some rattling here and there but nothing unusual. I augmented the visual side mirrors since I had a few close call of the blind spots. When the back seat are folded it creat a hugh loading space where we can feet 5-6 feet long objects from Ikea , a projector screen. So my car has become the utility car . Always love the high sitting position, with my bad back and hip ,it really helps a lot .Too bad they stopped making this model, they should have converted this into a hybrid . I think this is one of the better designed compact utility hatchback body car out there, escpecially with the high rating crash test.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

At least I can still find a Matrix

mecjac, 10/20/2012
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful

Almost at 100k miles and I have only had to replace the breaks and the oil filter housing (cheap part). I love my Vibe, bought it with 50k on it and have put 50k on it in the last 2 years. Its comfortable enough for the average commuter and very reliable. Great for hauling stuff around, and although no sports car its fun to drive. Good fuel economy, easily get 31-32 mpg. Only a few gripes, rear visibility is so-so, paint chips/scratches easy, speakers could be better.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great car for great price!

blargal, 02/24/2011
2009 Pontiac Vibe GT 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful

I was on the search for a car for two weeks and almost bought a Mazda3 so glad I didn't! This little car is very well made and i've always loved pontiacs as my first car was one and never had an issue with it till it got in an accident. I thought i couldn't afford this car when I first test drove it but I got it right in my price range per month had great credit and apr and I knocked them down to 13grand :) basicly for the price you just can't beat the deal on a reliable car like this. Oh I chose the GT model cause thats what I have...but its an auto but has the option to switch to manual sooo 5 speed manual? only option they had lol.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Versatile Car!

blazer7t8, 07/19/2013
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful

We bought our 09 Vibe AWD when it was a year old and had 11K miles. It has 90K, now. My wife drives it most of the time and she liked the size and control layout. The interior is nice and the seats are comfortable. We often take this car on a 4 hour road trip to visit family and my back does not hurt. We average 28 mpg. Have gotten as high as 32. It swallows up cargo. Have hauled tall filing cabinets, 8Kw generators, lumber, etc. With the higher ground clearance and AWD it gets around great in Ohio winter snow. It could use more sound insulation. You hear a lot of road noise. New tires at 58K helped but still noisy. No major repairs, only normal maintenance items. Overall, great car!

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