Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix vs Ford Escape

[EcoBoost]

Two good deals locally that I can get for these. 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT AWD (rebranded Toyota Matrix) or 2012 Ford Escape XLT 4WD. Which would you choose?

 

Few things to note:

-Pontiac is cheaper by $2k

-Escape has slight edge in power, but power isn't a huge concern for me

-Fuel economy is about the same, slight edge to the Ford but only by 1mpg

-Somewhat prefer the gold over silver

-Both are quite loaded with power everything and sunroof. Escape has a better speaker system, USB, Bluetooth, Microsoft Sync and interior lights (fancy)

-Escape has 100k miles on it (highway mileage) while Vibe has 45k miles (however city miles)

 

Not actual pics of the cars themselves but they look just like the ones that I'm interested in

 

Pontiac Vibe

 

Ford Escape

[dizmo]

If you need a lot of cargo space I'd go with the Escape.

It also has more audio options (Stealthboxes by JL) if you're into that kind of thing.

 

I, personally, like the higher up driving position an SUV provides. So it gets my vote.

Do they really only get 1mpg difference?

[Speedyv]

Can you find an older Matrix XR?

 

I'd take the Vibe from the two.Probably a better drive and better aesthetically. 

[FireFox]

Buy the Toyota, lets face it. It is a Toyota

[Ryoku]

Two good deals locally that I can get for these. 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT AWD (rebranded Toyota Matrix) or 2012 Ford Escape XLT 4WD. Which would you choose?

 

Few things to note:

-Escape has slight edge in power, but power isn't a huge concern for me

-Fuel economy is about the same, slight edge to the Ford but only by 1mpg

-Somewhat prefer the gold over silver

-Both are quite loaded with power everything and sunroof. Escape has a better speaker system, USB, Bluetooth, Microsoft Sync and interior lights (fancy)

-Escape has 100k miles on it (highway mileage) while Vibe has 45k miles (however city miles)

 

Not actual pics of the cars themselves but they look the same

 

If you lived here I'd say the escape for sure we get a lot of snow and the extra ground clearance would be nice.  The Extra Cargo space would be nice as well.

[Ryan Leech]

The Ford will be more fun overall. You can go more places and carry more on the way. It'll do better in those winter snowfalls too.The Ford is also much newer (2012 vs 2009) so you should be able to get more life out of it.

[EcoBoost]

If you need a lot of cargo space I'd go with the Escape.

It also has more audio options (Stealthboxes by JL) if you're into that kind of thing.

 

I, personally, like the higher up driving position an SUV provides. So it gets my vote.

Do they really only get 1mpg difference?

I don't need that much cargo space The Escape has the Audiophile stereo (by Boston Acoustic apparently) which is plenty for me with 8 speakers and an 8" sub. The Vibe's stereo I may have to upgrade though. 

 

And yep the Escape gets 20mpg city 27mpg highway while the Vibe (AWD) gets 20/26.

 

 

Can you find an older Matrix XR?

Not that fond of the older Matrix body shape

[bcredeur97]

Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are actually the same vehicle, the Vibe is a rebrand of the Matrix. 

 

I would get the matrix, but thats my opinion.

[EcoBoost]

Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are actually the same vehicle, the Vibe is a rebrand of the Matrix. 

 

I would get the matrix, but thats my opinion.

I know, read the first sentence of the first post

 

The Matrix is noticeably more expensive around here, presumably for the brand name, it also looks slightly nicer. However I'm not looking to spend a few grand more just for a badge and slight aesthetics.

[Bogica]

Experience taught me to not buy anything made by Toyota, even my friend that owns two Toyota cars (Yaris and Rav) went away from the brand due to poor quality and expensive parts, he went with VW group cars and has never been happier. On the other hand my Ford Fiesta has been a dream to drive, maintain and insanely high MPG. It's your choice, but I'd go with the Ford. Take a close look at maintenance costs and costs over time.

[MrBucket101]

I picked the vibe simply because of the look of the car, and that it has 45k miles on it.

 

Having bought two used cars before, the mileage on a used car is very important. At 45k miles you still have a large chunk of miles left on it, and to you it should still have that new car feel to it. 100k miles is kinda over the hill. I would expect a higher cost to own on the ford vs the vibe.

[Bogica]

I picked the vibe simply because of the look of the car, and that it has 45k miles on it.

 

Having bought two used cars before, the mileage on a used car is very important. At 45k miles you still have a large chunk of miles left on it, and to you it should still have that new car feel to it. 100k miles is kinda over the hill. I would expect a higher cost to own on the ford vs the vibe.

100 000 miles for such a car is nothing! I have owned several cars that I ended up selling on >160 000 miles that were in perfect condition, it depends on the person that maintains the vehicle, if you service it often, use high quality oil the car will be in perfect condition. The current family city car is a Ford Fiesta, it has a 1.4L engine with 155 000 miles on it. It is in perfect condition, runs like a dream. So in grand total, it depends if the car has been maintained well.

[EcoBoost]

I picked the vibe simply because of the look of the car, and that it has 45k miles on it.

 

Having bought two used cars before, the mileage on a used car is very important. At 45k miles you still have a large chunk of miles left on it, and to you it should still have that new car feel to it. 100k miles is kinda over the hill. I would expect a higher cost to own on the ford vs the vibe.

I've only ever bought high mileage cars, and I've had no problem with them. Cause I feel that 100k miles of highway driving compared to 45k miles of stop-and-go city driving can actually put similar amounts of wear on a car (also largely depends on how you drive them and maintain them)

 

As far as I'm concerned cost to own wouldn't be too much different. Parts must be easy to find for the Ford as they are literally everywhere around here. Pretty much every block and parking lot has at least one.

[dizmo]

I don't need that much cargo space The Escape has the Audiophile stereo (by Boston Acoustic apparently) which is plenty for me with 8 speakers and an 8" sub. The Vibe's stereo I may have to upgrade though. 

 

And yep the Escape gets 20mpg city 27mpg highway while the Vibe (AWD) gets 20/26.

 

 

Not that fond of the older Matrix body shape

You say that now, but it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it

No speaker system short of say a Burmeister that comes with an automobile is audiophile grade. They're decent but even mid range aftermarket stuff is miles better.

What has you wanting either vehicle? Maybe list the pros and cons you have for each and we can tear it apart

[Guest Philosophy]

I have an Esacpe, two of them actually, a 2008 (192K Miles) and a 2012 (98K Miles). Both are amazing. I would highly recommend, just to let you know the AWD 3.0 V6 gets like 20< MPG so careful there. 

[Trik'Stari]

Toyota, how is this even a question.

[EcoBoost]

You say that now, but it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it

No speaker system short of say a Burmeister that comes with an automobile is audiophile grade. They're decent but even mid range aftermarket stuff is miles better.

What has you wanting either vehicle? Maybe list the pros and cons you have for each and we can tear it apart

lol, afaik "Audiophile" is the brand/name that Ford has for the stereo, not that it's audiophile grade  

 

Pontiac:

-Cheaper

-It's still a Toyota

-Looks nicer and "sportier"

-Less "mainstream" (at least vs Matrix/Escape)

-Nicer color

-Lower mileage

 

Ford:

-Newer

-Higher seating position, likely more comfortable to sit in and drive

-Slightly more features

-Classy interior

-Better stereo

-Better transmission (6 speed auto)

 

Power and fuel economy are debatable and likely a difference won't be noticed between the two so leaving those out. 

 

Also keep in mind the engine in the Escape is actually made by Mazda.

[EcoBoost]

I have an Esacpe, two of them actually, a 2008 (192K Miles) and a 2012 (98K Miles). Both are amazing. I would highly recommend, just to let you know the AWD 3.0 V6 gets like 20< MPG so careful there. 

One I'm looking at is the 2.5L

[Guest Philosophy]

One I'm looking at is the 2.5L

That should have much better MPG, my 2012 has a small 12 Gallon tank so we have to fill it up at least once a week

[Speedyv]

Neither of them look amazing but the Ford interior looks surgical and extra boring to me.

[Bogica]

lol, afaik "Audiophile" is the brand/name that Ford has for the stereo, not that it's audiophile grade

 

Pontiac:

-Cheaper

-It's still a Toyota

-Looks nicer and "sportier"

-Less "mainstream" (at least vs Matrix/Escape)

-Nicer color

-Lower mileage

 

Ford:

-Newer

-Higher seating position, likely more comfortable to sit in and drive

-Slightly more features

-Classy interior

-Better stereo

-Better transmission (6 speed auto)

 

Power and fuel economy are debatable and likely a difference won't be noticed between the two so leaving those out. 

 

Also keep in mind the engine in the Escape is actually made by Mazda.

Yeah, Ford uses other manufacturers engines sometimes. The 1.4L in my Fiesta is from Peugeot. I've only had good experiences with Ford cars (Current Fiesta and Connect Van and a Mondeo I sold).

I also prefer higher seating position when available,  in terms of safety, an SUV might be much safer, just saying.

[terrytek]

I'm pretty sure the Vibe has the same engine as the Matrix, which has the same as the Corolla, a 1.8 I4. So I don't get how it's only a 1mpg difference since the Matrix gets 28/35. 

 

Here's a question you should try to answer, or two.

 

1) Which one is more practical?

2) Which one would look least embarrassing in?

[Aniallation]

I'm pretty sure the Vibe has the same engine as the Matrix, which has the same as the Corolla, a 1.8 I4. So I don't get how it's only a 1mpg difference since the Matrix gets 28/35. 

From what I can tell the AWD is only available in the 2.4L, so 20/26.

 

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2009_Pontiac_Vibe.shtml

 

Same with the Matrix.

 

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2009_Toyota_Matrix.shtml

 

@EcoBoost tough choice actually, either one is good but I guess the extra money for the Escape would be put towards it being a newer car, having more features, and overall being bigger. Would come down to personal preference really, take both for a test drive and see how you feel about them

[EcoBoost]

Thanks everyone! Wow, looks like it's a tie. I'll go take a look at both of them and see how I feel then, thanks again!