2007 Pontiac Vibe

Once known as GM’s performance brand, Pontiac was discontinued in 2010 along with Hummer, Saab, and Saturn. The legendary GTO of the 1960s and Firebird of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s were joined by models such as the Grand Am, Grand Prix, and Bonneville, which were based on other GM models. The Australian-built Pontiac G8 was a legitimate muscle car, and the Vibe hatchback shared its design with the Toyota Corolla Matrix. Today, most Pontiac vehicles still on the road are more than a decade old and lack the safety and convenience features found in modern vehicles.

The Vibe's 1.8-liter four-cylinder drones loudly and performs modestly. GT models use a stronger version of this engine and come only with a six-speed manual. Handling is fairly nimble and the ride is compliant -- if a little jittery. Access is very easy, the rear seat is quite roomy, but the driving position is only so-so. The optional AWD system works well, but hurts acceleration and fuel economy. Folding the rear seats creates a large, flat load floor. Overall, this is a sensible alternative to a small SUV. Stability control became available in 2005, but may be difficult to find.