Pontiac Vibe vs. Subaru Forester Review

Performance
With respect to horsepower, the Subaru packs quite a wallop and will knock the Pontiac Vibe down a few rungs. On the other hand, note that high horsepower engines often command higher insurance premiums.

Handling
The Forester and the Pontiac have roughly similar tires. With their similar turning radiuses, the Subaru Forester and the Pontiac quite certainly handle about the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Subaru's engine is considerably bigger than the Vibe's. Remember that larger engines may use more gasoline than smaller ones. The Subaru Forester packs quite a punch compared to the Pontiac Vibe in terms of torque, which is the force that lets you accelerate quickly. Torque is the force that lets you accelerate quickly, and in this respect, the Forester is quite a bit more powerful than the Pontiac Vibe.

Utility
There's no clear winner between the Subaru Forester and the Vibe as far as hauling capacity. Neither the Pontiac Vibe nor the Subaru Forester has a marked advantage with respect to seating capacity. Towing is markedly more the Forester's forte than it is the Pontiac Vibe's.

Convenience
The Pontiac Vibe's fuel tank will need to be replenished slightly more often than the unit in the Subaru Forester.

Comfort
Taller drivers will markedly enjoy the extra head room in the Pontiac Vibe's front cabin compared to the Subaru Forester. The Pontiac Vibe provides more head- and leg-room to your passengers than the Subaru Forester does.

Dimensions
Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Subaru Forester than the Pontiac because of its bigger tank. The Subaru rides lower than the Pontiac Vibe, which is a good thing for its center of gravity and ease of access. The Pontiac Vibe and the Subaru compete for the same parking spaces.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the Pontiac Vibe to the dealership as the Subaru Forester. With respect to fuel economy, the Pontiac is a tad better than the Subaru Forester, but not by much. The Forester won't tax your gasoline budget quite a bit more than the Pontiac Vibe will. The Subaru is considerably more expensive than the Pontiac Vibe with respect to MSRP.

Overview
The Forester and the Pontiac have the same basic after-sale protection.