The Pontiac Vibe does 28.5 mpg combined (25.8 city, 32.5 highway), which works out to about $1,347 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Pontiac Vibe engine, compared
The Pontiac Vibe was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 25.8 / 32.5 | 2003–2010 | $1,347 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac Vibe burns a gallon every 28.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 421 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,347 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,735 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$147 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,175 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac Vibe gives up 6.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.5 out there against 25.8 in town, a 26% drop worth $306 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 25.8 mpg | $1,488 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.5 mpg | $1,182 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.7 mpg (26%) | Typical for its type |
How the Vibe changed over the years
The Vibe peaked in 2008 at 29 mpg (26 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2010 at 28 — 1 mpg apart, or $47 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2010 car does 28. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2009 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2008 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2007 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2006 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2005 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2004 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2003 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Pontiac Vibe — 1 engine across 2003–2010. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,175. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac Vibe get?
28.5 mpg combined on average — 25.8 in the city and 32.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2003–2010.
How much does a Pontiac Vibe cost in fuel per year?
About $1,347 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,735 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which Vibe engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 28.5 mpg.
Is the Vibe good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Vibe figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Pontiac Vibe is $2,175 against the $1,347 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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