2010 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.

Offering many of the attributes of a crossover SUV in a smaller, more easily managed package, this version of the Vibe -- like its predecessor -- was a good idea that was mildly under executed. We appreciate the raised driving position, unfettered interior access and all-wheel drive option. However, the cheap interior treatment, less than optimal driving position and noisy engine are detriments. The Vibe was dropped after 2010, with the rest of Pontiac.