Video: Driving Northwest: The Pontiac Vibe's secret

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Car shoppers today are looking for great gas mileage and equate that with import brands. As a car guy with a soap box, I get a slew of e-mails from folks wondering what vehicle they should buy to maximize their petroleum bucks. Inevitably the only manufacturers on their minds are import brands. Domestics? Rarely. I enjoy talking to people about cars (my wife occasionally thinks I'm a little too into it) and I find many good cars are overlooked these days. To be sure, what people buy is their own business. But with so many great vehicles these days it's a shame that some buyers don't know what they're missing.    

This piece about the Pontiac Vibe isn't so much a review as it as a commentary on perception. I took an all-wheel drive model to Green Lake and asked the good folks of Seattle if they'd consider buying one. Of the 10 people in the proper demographic that I chatted with, not one was seriously interested. The reason? It's a Pontiac. Oh sure, everyone liked the decent gas mileage, chunky sporty looks and a $21,850 price tag as tested. It's the badge that gets them. If it were a Toyota, nine out of my small sample group say they would give it a thumbs up. But here's the twist - it IS a Toyota, and none of the people I talked to knew it. 

The worst kept secret in the auto industry is that Vibe is essentially the same as the Toyota Matrix, which itself is based on the Corolla. While the sheet metal is largely different, the stuff underneath the similar silhouette is shared. The 4-speed automatic transmission that comes with the AWD set up is the same. So is the 158-horse 4-cylinder engine. The chassis? Same-o-rooney. The interior? Well, I think you know where this is going. 

Toyota and GM have done this for a while now. The Geo Prizm and resurrected Chevy Nova in the 90s were both re-skinned Corollas. Toyota sold a version of the Chevy Cavalier in Japan, creatively named the Toyota Cavalier. The first generation Vibe has the same story as the current second gen, it springs from the NUMMi manufacturing plant in Fremont, Calif. GM and Toyota have a joint agreement that churns out Vibe and Corolla on the same line. Matrix is assembled in Ontario, Canada.

Vibe as you might imagine is a well done hatchback. If you want a thorough review of it, click here for a link to the Matrix. There are some differences other than sheet metal; the audio plug-in for iPods is better located in the Matrix. A satellite nav system can be had in the Toyota but not the Pontiac (though Vibe counters with a standard OnStar system that can give turn-by-turn audible directions). Basic warrantees are the same, Pontiac's powertrain coverage is longer (5 year/100,000 powertrain protection vs. 5 years/60,000 miles for the Toyota). Comparably equipped the Vibe is actually priced a little lower. Some of my quality gripes like slightly coarse climate control knobs, a coin drawer that feels cheap, and seats with loose fabric are common to both cars. Style, dealer preference and of course badges are the deal-breakers between these two cars.

Pontiac is GM's sporty division, but acceleration and handling mimic Matrix, which is to say solid but not for enthusiasts. Want fun? Mazda3, VW Rabbit, and Saturn Astra hatchbacks are more entertaining to drive. This Vibe has the optional all-wheel drive and averages 23 miles to the gallon according to the EPA. 

To be sure, American manufacturers understand they have earned their reputation, freely admitting past lapses in quality and fuel economy. These days buying an Asian or Euro brand does not automatically mean you're getting better fuel economy or reliability. Just look at Consumer Reports and the latest J.D. Powers figures to find evidence that the domestics have dramatically improved in the past few years. It's not that GM needs Toyota to produce decent cars for them, the General's been churning out the hits lately with products like Malibu, Aura, CTS and Enclave. From mid-sized cars to large trucks, the domestics and import brands are all very close when it comes to fuel economy. What the domestics badly need are more small fuel efficient cars and a good PR campaign. 

Am I advocating American cars and trucks here? No. I'm encouraging buyers to research their purchases. I'll leave you with my standard car buying advice: Test drive at least three different vehicles before writing the big check. It's surprising to find people just plunk their hard earned money down on a car that was recommended by a magazine or a friend. There are a lot of surprises out there and driving at least three cars helps you to decide what car is right for you and your unique needs. These days it's easier than ever to research cars on the internet. Nice job, you're doing it now! Happy shopping.