Pontiac Vibe vs. Kia Rio Review

Utility
The Vibe's more massive trunk will accommodate more sizeable objects than the Kia Rio. Neither the Pontiac Vibe nor the Kia Rio has a marked advantage with respect to seating capacity.

Performance
The Kia Rio is likely to feel a tad slow because of its high horsepower-to-weight ratio. In terms of horsepower, the Pontiac Vibe packs quite a punch and will knock the Kia Rio down a few rungs. On the other hand, note that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Dimensions
The Pontiac Vibe is quite a bit more ponderous than the Kia. The Kia Rio's tank is roughly the same size as the Pontiac's, though the Vibe's is a tad bigger. The Kia Rio and the Vibe compete for the same parking spaces. The Kia Rio's shorter wheelbase may produce a less-settled highway ride but a nimbler feel in daily traffic than the Pontiac Vibe.

Convenience
The Kia Rio's fuel tank will need to be replenished somewhat more often than the unit in the Vibe. You very likely won't have to visit your friendly gas station more often with the Kia Rio than with the Pontiac Vibe, as both offer similar ranges.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs roughly the same to get the Kia Rio to the dealership as the Pontiac Vibe. The Kia Rio won't save you much money at the pump compared to the Pontiac. The Vibe won't tax your gasoline budget considerably more than the Kia Rio will. With respect to MSRP, the Vibe costs tremendously more than the Kia Rio. The Pontiac Vibe is tremendously more expensive than the Rio in terms of out-the-door cost.

Handling
The Vibe has substantially bigger tires than the Kia. Keep in mind that wider tires can look and feel better, while smaller tires might provide better handling in deep snow. With its tighter turning circle, the Kia Rio is definitely more maneuverable than the Pontiac Vibe, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the other hand, remember that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Kia Rio and the Vibe have similar-sized engines, with a slight advantage to the Vibe. The Kia Rio could learn a lesson or two from the Pontiac Vibe with respect to torque.

Comfort
Taller drivers will considerably enjoy the extra head room in the Pontiac Vibe's front cabin compared to the Kia Rio. The Vibe offers more head- and leg-room to your passengers than the Kia Rio does.

Overview
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the Pontiac Vibe isn't quite as generous as the Kia's. In terms of after-sale protection against corrosion, the Pontiac Vibe has substantially better coverage than the Rio.

Other
The Kia produces fewer smog-forming pollutants per 15,000 miles than the Vibe.