Many buyers still find two compact automobiles that have been discontinued for some time to be appealing options, particularly small families on a budget who don’t require anything difficult but need something convenient.
Although they compare favorably to a number of current sub-compact SUVs, the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix do have an appealing design, dependable and efficient engines, a flexible interior, and a high level of equipment.
Is one preferable to the other? They share so many characteristics since they were jointly developed by Toyota and General Motors, so no, really. They could even be considered non-identical twins.
Even if their bodies are slightly different, the interior is identicalwith the exception of the emblem on the steering wheel and a few accessories, of course! Driving is not made more difficult by their high front seatsin fact, it improves visibilityand their back seat offers plenty of space. Another point worth noticing is that the trunk floor is entirely made of plastic, making cleanup a breeze.
By the way, the Vibe was available in basic, GT, and AWD models, whereas the Matrix was commonly found in basic, XR, XRS, and AWD variations. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine in the simplest model produced 132 HP, while the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in the most advanced models produced 158 HP. Both all-wheel-drive systems were available as options.
Let’s not forget that the Matrix was a proudly Canadian product built in the Cambridge facility in Ontario, whereas the Vibe was put together in the NUMI plant in Fremont, California, despite the fact that they are two mechanically similar vehicles. But don’t worry, the job quality at these two plants was rated extremely well.
The Vibe is now sold for less money than the Matrix because Pontiac’s name and reputation are no longer as well-known. But even though some people continue to have this opinion, the first was actually made just as well as the second. Both cars are in excellent condition and have passed an inspection, so you can confidently choose between them.
In This Article...
Is a Pontiac Vibe a Toyota Matrix?
From 2002 until 2010, Pontiac sold the tiny automobile known as the Pontiac Vibe. GM and Toyota, the company that makes the mechanically comparable Toyota Matrix, collaborated to build it. The Chevrolet Prizm was replaced in production by the Toyota-GM joint venture NUMMI in Fremont, California. Like the Prizm, the Vibe was derived from the Toyota Corolla, making it the final S-body vehicle that GM and Toyota jointly produced.
A rebadged right-hand drive Vibe model was sold domestically in Japan from 2002 to 2004 as the Toyota Voltz. Due to its unpopularity in Japan, the Voltz was withdrawn after two model years.
With the Pontiac brand being discontinued in 2009 and NUMMI collapsing as part of General Motors’ Chapter 11 reorganization, the Vibe’s production came to an end. Because the Toyota Matrix was produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario, and was untouched by NUMMI’s closure of operations, it continued to be produced for three more years for the American market and four more years for the Canadian market.
How similar is the 2003 Pontiac Vibe to the Toyota Matrix?
The two businesses, like the majority of the auto industry, are having difficulty predicting the car preferences of the 70 million echo boomers, who are roughly between the ages of 8 and 25. This pool of potential buyers is larger than the baby boomers.
Young people desire sporty cars that are both practical and adaptable, able to transport both friends and gear, and the 2003 Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix reflect bets on this trend. The Vibe and Matrix defy conventional classifications even though they are built on the same basis as the 2003 Toyota Corolla car. Their back hatches open like those of a station wagon or minivan, yet they have four doors and can seat five passengers like a sedan. Like sport utility vehicles, they come with all-wheel drive. Other automobile mongrels, or “crossovers,” including the Mazda Proteg5, Ford Focus ZX5, and Chrysler PT Cruiser are competitors.
The mechanically identical Vibe and Matrix went on sale last month. Both are produced by Toyota, albeit in various locations (the Vibe in Fremont, Calif., and the Matrix in Cambridge, Ontario). Their main distinctions are in the styling, cost, and trim.
Pontiac’s most recent attempt to win over young people taught it some bitter lessons. Its Aztek minivan was overly expensive (starting at $21,000 and going up to $30,000 with options), and it had an odd appearance. The Vibe’s design is slim and athletic, with appealing proportions and a noticeably nicer rump, and its starting price of less than $17,000 is competitive. The twin-port grille, cat’s-eye headlights, and broad, ground-hugging stance are all classic Pontiac aesthetic cues.
Is Toyota a manufacturer of the Pontiac Vibe engine?
This Pontiac hatchback was jointly produced by General Motors and Toyota and had two alternative engine options: the 1.8L 1ZZ-FE and the 2ZZ-GE, both of which are from the Toyota ZZ Series.
With a new range of engine options and a revamped body, the Vibe launched its second generation in 2009. A motor from the Toyota ZR Series or a different motor from the Toyota AZ Series might be selected by customers.
Only one year later, in 2010, GM announced that the whole Pontiac brand would be discontinued. Along with the Pontiac ship, the Vibe and its robust Toyota motor perished.
Is the 2009 Pontiac Vibe’s engine a Toyota?
A 132-hp 1.8L DOHC 2ZR-FE Toyota engine, which is also used in the Corolla and Matrix, is the standard engine for the 20092010 Vibe. The Toyota Camry and RAV4 both have a 2.4L 4-cylinder 2AZ-FE engine with 158 horsepower as an option. There are some 2.4L engines that are known to use up oil.
What vehicle resembles the Toyota Matrix the most?
ELANTRA GT HYUNDAI
- ELANTRA GT by Hyundai. Initially costing $18,449 1.8-litre four-cylinder base engine (148 horsepower)
- MAZDA3 SPORT, starting at $16,995.
- Ford. Base pricing for the FORD FOCUS (hatchback) is $19,699.
- Base price for the KIA FORTE (hatchback) is $19,495.
- Volkswagen. AUTOMOTIVE GOLF.
What vehicle compares to the Pontiac Vibe?
The hatchback for Pontiac Vibe fans who are concerned that the brand’s demise may result in a drop in resale values is the Toyota Matrix. Although the Matrix and Vibe are fundamentally identical, they have slightly distinct external designs.
Does the Pontiac Vibe from 2006 have a Toyota motor?
The base Vibe is propelled by an usually smooth Toyota DOHC, 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque; however, if you choose all-wheel drive, those numbers decrease to 123 hp and 118 lb-ft. This Corolla-based engine comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment; a four-speed automatic is available on FWD vehicles but comes as standard on AWD variants.
What issues are there with Pontiac Vibes?
The breakdown of the transmission has been a frequent issue in numerous 2003 Vibe redesigns. Despite having fewer than 100,000 miles on their odometers, owners of the impacted models have reported having trouble shifting gears. Their engines likewise abruptly stopped working.
The Pontiac Vibe was retired for what reason?
At the New United Motor Manufacturing facility in Freemont, California, General Motors and Toyota collaborated to produce the Pontiac Vibe, a small automobile. It could only be purchased as a five-door hatchback. Toyota Corolla and Matrix engines and components are shared by the Vibe. Different factories produced the Vibe and Matrix. Due to low sales and the discontinuation of the Toyota Sprinter, the Vibe had replaced the Chevrolet Prizm in 2002. (Prizm was a mere rebadged version of this car). Toyota marketed the Vibe as the Voltz from 2002 to 2004 in Japan. Due to the closure of NUMMI by General Motors and Toyota, the Pontiac Vibe was discontinued in 2009. General Motors revealed that the Vibe would be replaced by the Buick Verano when Pontiac declared it would cease operations (a badge engineered Opel Astra). Although it had limited AWD, it was sometimes referred to be a tiny crossover and went up against the Dodge Caliber.