The Vibe was a marvel when compared to automobiles like the Chevy Cavalier. It was offered with two distinct 4-cylinder Toyota engines: the more potent 1ZZ-FE and the 2ZZ-GE, which Yamaha tweaked. All-wheel drive was an uncommon option in tiny automobiles in the early 2000s; front-wheel drive was the default.
In This Article...
When did the Toyota engine first appear in the Pontiac Vibe?
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.
Does the Pontiac Vibe from 2006 have a Toyota motor?
The Pontiac Vibe is essentially a Toyota Matrix dressed up for a party, and the attire is everything. The Vibe has a similar chassis and drivetrains to the Matrix, but its exterior design is undoubtedly more stylish, hip, and current. It combines a stylish exterior with an adaptable interior that can accommodate goods up to eight feet long.
There are several new features for 2006, including a sport package that is optional and a new exterior color. There are three different Vibe models: the basic, Vibe AWD, and Vibe GT. A 130-horsepower inline-four drives the front wheels of the base model, a 123-horsepower engine powers the AWD, and the front-drive GT is equipped with a sportier 170-horsepower engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission.
The Vibe ditches Pontiac’s previous fussy design in favor of a sleek, angular hatchback that makes the Toyota Matrix look downright dowdy. The Vibe’s double-kidney grille and cats-eye headlamps give it a Pontiac appearance. Because they are applied symmetrically at each corner, clearly defined wheel arches suggest all-wheel drive and give off a sense of sport. The beltline’s angle creates the impression of forward motion. The GT edition’s bodywork enhances the overall athletic, even daring presence created by all the design elements. The standard Vibes have 16-inch wheels and tires, but the 17-inch wheels that are optional give them a more aggressive look. Standard equipment includes a roof rack, indicating a model looking for an active owner.
The center stack and instrument panel of the Vibe are straightforward and simple to understand, and we like them. The instruments with chrome rims are really attractive. Since this car is based on the Toyota Matrix, it has small panel gaps and high-quality fits and finishes that are uncommon in GM products, yet GM designers managed to make the inside feel cozier than the Toyota’s.
The Vibe sports a front passenger seat that folds down and a 60/40-split folding back seat. The end result is a rather roomy cabin that can fit five adults or a driver and several hefty Home Depot products. There are 19.3 cubic feet of luggage capacity with the second row seats up, and a very practical 54.1 cubic feet with them folding. The 36.3 inches of legroom in the back seats and the 41.8 inches in the front seats may be more striking. Additionally, the Vibe outperforms several premium vehicles in terms of headroom (40.6 inches up front and 39.8 inches out back).
With standard air conditioning, a CD player, and a tilt steering wheel, Base Vibes are rather simple. For cruise control and power locks, windows, and outside mirrors on the base, AWD, and GT versions, you must purchase a power group value package.
A power moonroof and a 200-watt premium sound system with seven speakers and an integrated subwoofer are included in the “Moon and Tunes” package. There is a 115-volt power socket in the front console that you can connect a laptop computer, a cell phone charger, or even an air compressor into, in keeping with the vehicle’s youth-oriented marketing strategy. Both XM satellite radio and OnStar from GM are options. There is also a DVD-based navigation system available. To match its athletic claims, the GT boasts a steering wheel covered in leather.
The Vibe includes full-length head curtain airbags in addition to the front seats’ regular airbags. Anti-lock brakes are an option on the base grade but are standard on the GT and AWD. Traction control is included when you choose ABS. Both all-wheel drive and GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system are options.
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.
A more potent 1.8-liter DOHC inline four in the GT produces 170 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque, giving it more performance. The GT can go from 0 to 60 mph in around 8.0 seconds with a six-speed manual transmission, which is the only option. However, because this engine develops its power and torque so high in the rpm range, you’ll need to crank it to the point of exhaustion in order to realize its advantage over the regular engine.
The efficiency and execution of vibes are excellent, and they are enjoyable to drive. The sporty GT features decent steering, excellent brakes, and snappy handling, but for the full impression you need to rev the engine to the top of the tacho clock. The engine’s tendency to rev high makes daily driving a little monotonous and is inconsistent with the car’s mostly utilitarian design. However, the car’s six-speed manual transmission is a dream, enhancing its versatility and enjoyment.
The AWD model is useful in the Snow Belt, but the lower-powered engine and standard automatic transmission compromise performance.
The base model of the Vibe is the best since it has a willing, but underpowered, 130-hp engine and a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission. When equipped with the standard StabiliTrak system, it handles just as well as the GT, requires less shifting, and is just as safe in normal driving conditions as the all-wheel-drive variant.
A six-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion warranty is included with the usual three-year/36,000-mile warranty that comes with the Vibe. During the warranty term, Pontiac provides 24-hour roadside assistance, which is a premium option for such a simple vehicle.
Hot topics:
What IS NOT
Pontiac is making a variety of adjustments to the available option packages for 2006. The sport option includes 16-inch aluminum wheels and a monochrome design. The luxury package adds leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The security package upgrades the base model to include OnStar and anti-lock brakes.
The Power Group Value Package is crucial since it adds numerous convenience features not found elsewhere in the range. Another important choice is side-curtain airbags, and the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is also a good idea. All-wheel drive should be taken into account if you live in the Snow Belt, even though it devalues an already weak engine.
Is the 2009 Pontiac Vibe’s engine a Toyota?
Engines: The Toyota 1.8-liter 4-cylinder 1ZZ-FE engine, which is also used in the Toyota Corolla, is the standard engine for the Toyota Vibe from 2003 to 2008.
Another Toyota engine, the 2ZZ-GE, which is a variation of the same 1.8L engine with variable valve lift added for more power, is used in the Vibe GT.
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. Overall, we believe that the 1.8L engine is preferable because it is more dependable and may last a long time with frequent oil changes.
Timing chain or belt? There is no timing belt; timing chains are used in all of Vibe’s engines. Only if it is strained does the timing chain need to be replaced.
fuel efficiency The 1.8L Vibe from 2009 to 2010 gets 26/31 mpg in the city and highway according to the EPA. The 1.8L Vibe auto from 2003 to 2008 achieves 25/31 mpg, which translates to 351 miles (565 km) on a single tank of fuel. The 2.4L engine of the 20092010 Vibe auto is rated at 21/29 mpg city/highway.
Is the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix the same vehicle?
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.
What kind of motor does a Pontiac Vibe have?
The economical base trim, the mid-range AWD trim, and the more potent GT sport trim all came in the 20032006 Vibe.
A Toyota-built 1.8 Lstraight-416-valve engine with 126 hp (94 kW) on the base model (manual or automatic gearbox) and 118 hp on the all-wheel drive model (automatic only) are the available powertrains for this vehicle. The GT variant has a VVTL-i version with 164 hp (122 kW) (manual 6-speed only). The US Environmental Protection Agency testing criteria were changed in 2008, making the Vibe no longer the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold by GM in North America.
Despite having similar designs, the heating and cooling systems of the Vibe and Matrix actually utilise a number of different, brand-specific components. These parts include the serpentine belt, the heater hoses, the heater core, and the air conditioning compressor and associated hoses.
Between model years, there were a few small adjustments. The Vibe was created for the first time in 2002 and released as a 2003 model. The GT had a maximum output of 180 horsepower (134 kW), the base model was rated at 130 horsepower (97 horsepower), and the all-wheel drive variant was rated at 123 horsepower for the first three model years (92 kW). Toyota retested its engines for the new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) ratings standard, which resulted in a reduction in engine power claims for 2006. For the 2007 model year, the GT and all-wheel-drive trims were dropped because to weak sales and the implementation of new federal emissions regulations.
In the 2005 model year, the front fascia received an upgrade. The front grille was redesigned to mimic the styling of the Pontiac Solstice, which was subsequently adopted by other vehicles in the Pontiac series, in an effort to “converge” the Pontiac image. The front grille on the 20032004 Vibes was more reminiscent of the long-gone Pontiac Aztek.
Odometers on the first-generation Vibe, Matrix, and Corolla are not able to “roll over” 299,999 km or 299,999 mi. There is presently no recall or “fix” for this. Until a solution is developed, mileage must be tracked manually. [1]
A 2005 Pontiac Vibe has what kind of an engine?
Auto Overview Early in 2003, Pontiac introduced the entry-level Vibe hatchback wagon. The Vibe is built in Fremont, California at a Toyota/General Motors joint venture, with styling provided by Pontiac and engineering provided by Toyota. The Toyota Matrix and the Vibe are connected.
The Vibe combines attributes of a sports car, a sport wagon, and a sport utility vehicle, similar to other compact “crossover models. That seems like a lot of sport, and the Vibe leans that way because Pontiac has long been regarded as the sportiest division under GM.
For 2005, the grille and front fascia have been updated. There are options for leather seats, side-impact airbags placed on the seats, and side curtain airbags. On GT and all-wheel-drive variants, a tire-pressure monitor is standard, and GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability system is an option. OnStar from GM is an optional feature, and a new Moon & Tunes package comes with a subwoofer.
The Vibe is available with front- or all-wheel drive and was created with young consumers in mind.
Exterior The Vibe boasts fundamental stylistic characteristics that suggest an SUV, including a svelte wedge silhouette and short overhangs. Although there may be a little similarity to the company’s contentious Aztek, the Vibe is much less extreme.
The Ford Focus Wagon is reminiscent of the side window lines that taper. An integrated roof rack is part of the unusual roofline. A vented front fascia with a twin-port grille and recessed fog lamps are striking characteristics.
The Vibe has a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, a length of 171.9 inches, and a height of 62.2 inches. Although 17-inch tires are available, standard tires have a 16-inch diameter. Vibes with all-wheel drive have a separate rear suspension.
Interior The Vibe has five seats and was designed to have a large cabin in a small frame. The 60/40 split rear seat and the front passenger seat may both be folded flat to create a level loading surface for anything up to 8 feet long. The amount of cargo capacity behind the front row is 54.1 cubic feet when the backseat is folded down. A worktable can be created by folding the front passenger seat.
The driver-focused cockpit’s chrome-trimmed gauges with the customary red Pontiac backlighting. Bicycles and other loose things can be transported easily with chrome tie-downs. Commonplace is a CD player. Optional features include a DVD-based navigation system, an in-dash six-CD changer, and XM Satellite Radio.
Within the Hood The base 1.8-liter, 130-horsepower four-cylinder is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment or a five-speed manual transmission as an option. With all-wheel drive, that engine has 123 horsepower and only functions with automatic transmissions. A six-speed manual transmission and a 170-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder power the Vibe GT. The GT is suggested for premium fuel. A supercharger accessory is offered for the base model to increase performance.
Safety All-wheel-drive and GT variants come standard with antilock brakes, while the base front-drive Vibe model offers them as an option. While other vehicles have a front-disc/rear-drum configuration, the Vibe GT has all-disc brakes. There are both side curtain airbags and seat-mounted side-impact airbags available.