For one the marketing is very good. While Pontiac attempted to lure in this crowd with last year's radically styled Aztek, its price point was, and still is - at $27,295 to $38,715 - outside their financial ability. The Vibe homes in on this youth target audience with a much more accessible $19,150 base MSRP. Even when completely done out its only $31,360.

Its price point isn't its only appealing attribute either. The Vibe looks great from every angle. Its aggressive, tall stance is capped with angular sheetmetal and tough looking, truck-like gray plastic lower trim. If the rugged theme isn't your style a monotone, body-color paint scheme is optional on all models. Like the ride height its roofline is tall, adding another SUV-like styling cue while increasing visibility and headroom.

But headroom is only part of the story. Despite its compact outward appearance, interior space is large. With four adults sitting comfortably, there are still 868-litres of cargo space in the back. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold flat for up to 1,621-litres of hauling flexibility. Pontiac took a unique approach by giving the Vibe a tough plastic cargo floor, with twin tracks running parallel from front to back. Adjustable sliding anchors fit into the tracks to make securing loose objects easy.

The practicality continues up front as well. Handy storage bins to store your stash of car collectibles are everywhere, allowing easy access to favorite CDs for the 6-disc in-dash 200-watt audio system. Don't let a lack of directions disturb your Mary J. Blige moment either. Instead relax and let the DVD-based navigation system guide you from A to B. While these features are optional, its standard amenities include a trip computer, A/C, 4-speaker CD audio and a dash-mounted 115-volt auxiliary power outlet. The latter is beyond convenient, especially when using a laptop on the flat-folded front passenger seat cum worktable. I plugged in a 3-outlet adaptor and added direct power to my cellular phone and digital camera charger as well.

If you weren't aware, the Vibe shares its platform, mechanicals and Fremont, California manufacturing plant with the new Toyota Matrix, through a joint venture company called New United Motoring Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI). This relationship becomes strongly apparent once inside the car. Its quality of plastics, fit and finish and stylish yet tasteful interior design is better than any Pontiac to date. High-tech aluminum trim surrounds the gauge package, easily legible through a near-perfect three-spoke steering wheel. The positioning of its pedals is equally impressive. Accelerator and brake are well spaced for heal/toe actuation, while the clutch is light, but not too light. Steering input is direct and handling fabulous, especially in 17" alloy rimmed GT form. As well the driver's seating position is supportive for athletic maneuvers yet comfortable for long drives - as experienced personally from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, ON (see www.drivethevibe.com for details).

Its base 130-hp 1.8-L 4-cylinder engine is on par with other vehicles in the compact sport wagon class. It revs easily, offers great fuel economy and should be bullet-proof reliable due to its Toyota Corolla roots. Move up from the front-wheel drive base car to AWD and strangely, power decreases. The number of cylinders and displacement stays the same yet produces a more modest 123-hp. The Vibe GT's Celica GT-S derived 180-hp engine with 6-speed manual would be my choice, but unfortunately isn't available with the AWD system.

In summary, the Vibe is good… very good. It's easily one of the best small cars to ever come from an American manufacturer. What's more, it defines a market niche that is sure to make the Vibe the sales hit Pontiac wants and needs. It's a winner.