If I have to read one more posting about how CR rates the Pontiac Vibe poorly and it's Toyota twin much higher I'm going to throw my shoe at the monitor! It's a lie that gets repeated enough that people who have never read the mag use it as an excuse not to.
I'm holding in my hands the 2006 copy of CR's annual auto issue. In it they rate the Vibe with an overall score of 66. The Toyota Matrix gets 67. Both of them get their Recommended check.
I've been to CR's auto test facility on a number of occasions. I've met and spoken with the staff. For the most part they are auto enthusiasts who either tinker with odd cars on the side, or are active in some form of racing.
Before one criticizes CR's test results, they should compare this facility, with its race course, skid pad, wet/dry braking area, rock climb hill, and numerous labs, with those of Car & Driver or Road & Track. What's that? Oh yeah, those other mags don't even have test facilities.
I'm holding in my hands the 2006 copy of CR's annual auto issue. In it they rate the Vibe with an overall score of 66. The Toyota Matrix gets 67. Both of them get their Recommended check.
I've been to CR's auto test facility on a number of occasions. I've met and spoken with the staff. For the most part they are auto enthusiasts who either tinker with odd cars on the side, or are active in some form of racing.
Before one criticizes CR's test results, they should compare this facility, with its race course, skid pad, wet/dry braking area, rock climb hill, and numerous labs, with those of Car & Driver or Road & Track. What's that? Oh yeah, those other mags don't even have test facilities.