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2008 Pontiac Vibe Safety Review

November 5, 2008

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal driver and frontal passenger rating; three stars, side driver rating; four stars, side rear passenger rating
NHTSA

Major safety features are available as options only
Edmunds

Side-impact and side curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar communication system are optional
Cars.com

Today's safety-conscious consumers have come to expect several features to be standard equipment on the vehicles they buy, whether that vehicle is a $12,000 Chevrolet or a $150,000 Mercedes-Benz. Unfortunately, many of those safety features that have become virtual necessities are not standard on the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, and the lack of certain airbags shows in crash-test ratings.

The 2008 Pontiac Vibe has not yet been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has had the opportunity to test the Pontiac Vibe both with and without the optional side airbags. The difference is noticeable in the crash-test results, as a Pontiac Vibe without additional airbags scored only three stars in the NHTSA side driver impact test, while a test conducted with the side airbags boosted the score to a perfect five-star rating. The side passenger rating is four stars whether the airbags are included or not. In terms of front impact protection, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe earns a perfect five-star rating for front impact driver protection, and the NHTSA also awards the Pontiac Vibe four out of a possible five stars for front impact passenger protection. Despite its tall stance, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe also scores a respectable four stars in the rollover category.

The crash-test ratings for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe certainly aren't terrible, but many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com take exception to the fact that, as Edmunds puts it, "major safety features are available as options only." According to ConsumerGuide, those optional safety features include "antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, side-impact and side curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar communication system." ConsumerGuide adds that the only standard safety features available on the Pontiac Vibe are "dual front airbags" and "daytime running lights."

Fortunately, driver visibility is a safety plus on the 2008 Pontiac Vibe. ConsumerGuide reviewers are quick to point out that the Pontiac Vibe's "fine driving position" affords outward visibility that is "slightly cluttered over the shoulder, good otherwise." Edmunds confirms that opinion and praises the "'command of the road' view out the windshield afforded by this Pontiac's taller seating design."

Conclusion

In the 21st century, consumers shouldn't have to check options boxes to add anti-lock brakes or side airbags to cars like the 2008 Pontiac Vibe.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal driver and frontal passenger rating; three stars, side driver rating; four stars, side rear passenger ratingNHTSAMajor safety features are available as options onlyEdmundsSide-impact and side curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar communication system are optionalCars.com Today's safety-conscious consumers have come to expect several features to be standard equipment on the vehicles they buy, whether that vehicle is a $12,000 Chevrolet or a $150,000 Mercedes-Benz. Unfortunately, many of those safety features that have become virtual necessities are not standard on the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, and the lack of certain airbags shows in crash-test ratings. The 2008 Pontiac Vibe has not yet been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has had the opportunity to test the Pontiac Vibe both with and without the optional side airbags. The difference is noticeable in the crash-test results, as a Pontiac Vibe without additional airbags scored only three stars in the NHTSA side driver impact test, while a test conducted with the side airbags boosted the score to a perfect five-star rating. The side passenger rating is four stars whether the airbags are included or not. In terms of front impact protection, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe earns a perfect five-star rating for front impact driver protection, and the NHTSA also awards the Pontiac Vibe four out of a possible five stars for front impact passenger protection. Despite its tall stance, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe also scores a respectable four stars in the rollover category. The crash-test ratings for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe certainly aren't terrible, but many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com take exception to the fact that, as Edmunds puts it, "major safety features are available as options only." According to ConsumerGuide, those optional safety features include "antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, side-impact and side curtain airbags, and GM's OnStar communication system." ConsumerGuide adds that the only standard safety features available on the Pontiac Vibe are "dual front airbags" and "daytime running lights." Fortunately, driver visibility is a safety plus on the 2008 Pontiac Vibe. ConsumerGuide reviewers are quick to point out that the Pontiac Vibe's "fine driving position" affords outward visibility that is "slightly cluttered over the shoulder, good otherwise." Edmunds confirms that opinion and praises the "'command of the road' view out the windshield afforded by this Pontiac's taller seating design." ConclusionIn the 21st century, consumers shouldn't have to check options boxes to add anti-lock brakes or side airbags to cars like the 2008 Pontiac Vibe. 2008 PONTIAC VIBE STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "Manages to be both smart and edgy at the same time" Kelley Blue Book: "Offers customers a sporty small wagon wrapped in distinctive Pontiac sheetmetal" Cars.com: "The Vibe displays basic styling cues that suggest an SUV" The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

There are few vehicles of a similar size to the 2008 Pontiac Vibe that offer such versatility and usable interior space. Other than the closely related Toyota Matrix, the Scion xB is another possibility. Its boxy body affords an impressive amount of space, while offering good fuel efficiency. Along more conventional lines, the Kia Spectra5 is an economical five-door hatchback model that's definitely more fun to drive than the Vibe, though it might not be as spacious inside. The Dodge Caliber also competes in this class; it offers impressive features, such as tailgate speakers, but it has a rather loud interior and isn't as comfortable. And if you're willing to go up a little bit in size, the Subaru Forester might fit your needs. It's more of a sport-utility vehicle, but it's small with the most carlike driving position, and it's one of the best handling and easiest to park among them.

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See the Pontiac Vibe in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

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