With regard to fuel economy, all five cars average about 9 liters per 100 kilometers, according to Transport Canada. It should be noted that the Impreza, SX4 and Compass are available with a manual gearbox, unlike the Vibe/Matrix AWD.
Of course, real-world fuel economy figures are approximately 15-20 percent higher than those posted by the federal government, which conducts laboratory tests. At the end of my test week, the Pontiac wound up with a combined city-highway rating of 10.5 L/100 km.
A very flexible trunk!
Hatchbacks like this one are mainly chosen for their versatile interior and flexible cargo area. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks of the Vibe fold in a flash to accommodate a big plasma TV, a stroller or all the boxes your college son decided to bring home for spring break.
In terms of practicality, this car does not disappoint. While small, the rear hatch is extremely lightweight and opens up to a decent height. Inside, the cargo floor is made from composite material, making it easy to wash. Plus, you don't have to worry about tearing the carpet. On the other hand, this surface is quite slippery, so if you don't want your gear to slide all over the place, you'd better make sure to fasten everything.
To help owners, all Vibe models equipped with the 2.4L mill feature a nifty cargo organizer under the floor. This system offers small, partitioned compartments in which you can store a few grocery bags or other compact items. Talk about a clever way to ensure you don't break all your eggs on the way home!
Overall, the cargo area is sizeable. In fact, with the rear seats up or down, the available room is greater than in any competitor except for the Compass.
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| All five cars average about 9 liters per 100 kilometers |
Of course, real-world fuel economy figures are approximately 15-20 percent higher than those posted by the federal government, which conducts laboratory tests. At the end of my test week, the Pontiac wound up with a combined city-highway rating of 10.5 L/100 km.
A very flexible trunk!
Hatchbacks like this one are mainly chosen for their versatile interior and flexible cargo area. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks of the Vibe fold in a flash to accommodate a big plasma TV, a stroller or all the boxes your college son decided to bring home for spring break.
In terms of practicality, this car does not disappoint. While small, the rear hatch is extremely lightweight and opens up to a decent height. Inside, the cargo floor is made from composite material, making it easy to wash. Plus, you don't have to worry about tearing the carpet. On the other hand, this surface is quite slippery, so if you don't want your gear to slide all over the place, you'd better make sure to fasten everything.
To help owners, all Vibe models equipped with the 2.4L mill feature a nifty cargo organizer under the floor. This system offers small, partitioned compartments in which you can store a few grocery bags or other compact items. Talk about a clever way to ensure you don't break all your eggs on the way home!
Overall, the cargo area is sizeable. In fact, with the rear seats up or down, the available room is greater than in any competitor except for the Compass.
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| On the other hand, this surface is quite slippery. |