The base Vibe is amazingly well equipped with air conditioning, a CD player, a two-prong household-style power outlet (as well as two standard automotive power outlets), the rear cargo track system with adjustable tie-down anchors, a height-adjustable driver's seat and a rear hatch that features a glass window that can be opened without having to open the entire hatch. A 130-horsepower four-cylinder engine is adequate to the car's basic transportation tasks.

The Vibe GT is a factory-built sport compact with a 180-horsepower engine and a six-speed manual transmission. It also gets four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 16-inch cast alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Vibe AWD is powered by the same engine as the base Vibe, but it produces only 123 horsepower and is available only with an automatic transmission. But it has an independent double-wishbone rear suspension and standard anti-lock brakes.

With so much standard equipment, the option list is brief, but you'll want anti-lock brakes ($500) on the standard Vibe, and you should consider the Moon and Tunes value package ($500) that includes a power glass moonroof and 200-watt audio system and the power group value package ($600) that includes power locks, windows, rear hatch release, cruise control and remote keyless entry. A four-speed automatic transmission (standard on the Vibe AWD) is available on the base Vibe ($800). Other options of note include 17-inch wheels ($800 on the base model and $400 on the GT) and in-dash six-CD changer, which is available as a stand-one option ($300) or which comes as part of a DVD-based navigation system ($1,600).