Overview & Reviews

As part of its affordable new "international" line of vehicles, the Geo Tracker was introduced in select markets as a rebadged mini SUV and marketed through most of the 1990s at Chevrolet dealers across the U.S. Although the Tracker was eventually discontinued, it lived on well into the new millennium as a Chevy as well as the Suzuki Vitara, the vehicle that served as the basis for the Tracker all along. Confusing, yes, but as long as you recall the Tracker as a funky but flawed four-wheel-drive runabout, you'll understand it well enough.

Most Recent Geo Tracker

The Geo Tracker was offered for the 1989-'97 model years as both a convertible and a hardtop. Two trims were available -- base and LSi. Base models offered little more than cloth seats and power brakes. LSi Trackers added amenities like a clock and an AM/FM audio system. Options included air-conditioning and power steering.

Power from the Tracker's 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was modest to be sure, initially delivering just 80 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque, but fuel economy with the standard five-speed manual transmission was in the mid-to-high 20s, good for a vehicle with four-wheel-drive capability. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, but a three-speed automatic was available as an option. A floor-mounted two-speed transfer case made it relatively easy to select 2WD or 4WD operating modes.

Inside, surprisingly comfortable bucket seats greeted the front occupants and faced a basic instrument panel with decent controls placement and a sound system offering listenable quality. The rear bench seat had room for two, though in this mini SUV they got to know each other perhaps too well and didn't receive much support even on a quick trip to the store. Folding the rear seatback down and flipping it forward revealed more than 32 cubic feet of storage. On drop-top models, this proved to be a real chore with the convertible top in place.

The Geo Tracker wasn't at its best in urban situations. Its engine was underpowered when driven on the highway; also, its ride was jarring, and its tall stance and high center of gravity created an unsettling degree of body roll in turns. Additionally, both versions exhibited quite a bit of engine and road noise. Still, there was a place for the Tracker as a no-frills 4x4 toy geared toward jumping in with a friend and heading off for a fun spin off-road.

As for the exact model changes, an upscale Tracker LSi trim debuted for 1990, and air-conditioning and an automatic transmission were made available across the lineup. In 1991, rear antilock brakes joined the standard features list on 2WD models, and four-wheel-drive LSi models benefited from auto-locking front hubs. The following year, Trackers got a revised dashboard and center console, and a tilt steering column was added to the options list. The next changes of note came in 1994, when four-wheel-drive models switched from on-/off-road tires to all-season rubber tires that provided a better ride. A CD/cassette player became available, and more sophisticated multipoint fuel injection was added to clear emissions hurdles in California and New York Trackers -- resulting in a power bump to 95 hp.

In 1995, the 95-hp engine made its way under the hood of all 4WD models and all Massachusetts-bound Trackers. The ute's convertible top was also redesigned for simpler operation. In 1996, the Geo Tracker family welcomed a new four-door model. Dual airbags became standard on all Trackers and four-wheel antilock brakes and cruise control were optional. Revised styling also graced the exterior, and daytime running lights made the tiny Tracker more conspicuous to motorists. After this heavy makeover, the last of the Geo-branded Trackers hit the streets relatively unchanged in 1997.

The one thing the Geo Tracker has going in its favor is price; it was cheap as a new SUV, and as a used one, it's even more so. Still, there are other compact SUVs that offer great value and a better ride around town; we recommend that you investigate other choices in this segment. If you have your heart set on a Geo Tracker, keep in mind that since the Geo brand has long since closed shop, not all Chevrolet dealerships will be able to service the Tracker; given that it's pretty much a rebadged Vitara, going to a Suzuki dealership should probably suffice.

User Reviews:

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  Reliable but unsafe - get 4wd or skip - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By garfromchicago - December 1 - 2:00 am

  2wd version of the car shouldnt be sold north of Atlanta ! This car car is terrible in ice, snow. Bought a Subaru second time around but still have my trusty Tracker for those perfect Summer days. Still a joy to drive although underpowered on those days. Never given any major mechanical problems. Great city car for parking.

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  Its my car and I like it! - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By wolfblade77 - November 10 - 2:00 am

  Its a cool car to drive. With a little modifications, you have a sweet street race car. Its useful, easy to drive and has some power. Ok, its not a sexy car, but its still cool. Got to take it easy in sharp turns, I almost tiped it over today! With my car, I went camping, canoing, kayaking, etc. Everytime, I came back safe and sound.

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  Geo Tracker - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By posted - November 10 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle 6 years ago with 102,000 miles. We now have 192,765. In the last 6 years we have had to replace the computer at $650. Other than that, we have had only routine maintanence. It is finally getting tired but we are considering replacing the motor instead of junking the vehicle. The little thing really grows on you.

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  Reliable Car - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By smedeiros - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 94 Geo Tracker from a friend in 1997. It had low mileage and was in great shape. Since then, the car did alot of highway driving from state to state when I was in school. It handles just fine on the highway. It hits 80mph with no problems. Its not a sports car and doesnt handle like one, but its fun to drive. It does get slightly loud on the highway, but it is a convertable. It drives incredibly in 4x4 during winter weather. My Geo now has 130,000 miles and has needed absolutely no work. This car was worth every penny and I will drive this car until the very end.

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  family fun - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By Catman808 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive with very good 4x4 ablitiy, back seat is very usable compaired to Jeeps, very easy to drive in all condtions

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  GREAT LITTLE SUV - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By BOBMAL - September 5 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT NEW IN 1993. HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. STILL RIDES LIKE NEW. ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT BUT NO TUNE UP YET.

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  Excellent SUV - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By TrackerGirl - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our Geo Tracker since January 2002 and it had 214,000 miles on it. No problems what so ever! Now, it has 219,500 miles on it, and still no problems! Its the best vehical weve ever had! Id like to get another Tracker. It takes about $10 to fill it up and you can go 2 weeks on the same tank, that is if you dont drive it 24/7. Awesome Vehical!

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  Love my little puddle truck!!! - 1992 Geo Tracker
  By Windchild81 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  My Tracker has been super- the only thing i would advise is for people to ask what parts have been REPLACED before they buy- otherwise things tend to go immediately after purchase. Ouch!! I love the low end 4 wheel drive- CRVs dont have it!! Also, shorter than a jeep, it can drive over taller bumps. The ladder frame keeps me from tearing thing off of my underbelly.

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  bad parts all over - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By mike ross - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I am original ower of my Geo tracker. the traker ran ok until about twenty five thousand miles ,then the problems started.My real seal went had that fixed. at about thirty thousand miles my driver side manual locking hub went bad .Then the window track came out of line .Also the nuts welded into the body for the door hinge rusted off and my door fell off .There are many more problems that i would like to tell you about but there are to many to list .

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  Excellent 4WD for the money! - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By GeoJoe - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle, along with its twin brother the Suzuki Sidekick, and cousin the Suzuki Samurai, make EXCELLENT and AFFORDABLE alternatives to the way overpriced yet classic Jeep Wrangler CJ-series. The 2WD is fun in itself, but the 4WD model is very fun to drive. It is so small, light and nimble that when equipped with larger than stock tires it will easily go some places that the bulkier/heavier Jeep only wishes it could. On the road the ride and mileage is similar to the average 4WD SUV/Pickup. I currently own two of these models with 5-speed and manual locking hubs, and achieve typically 20mpg minimum in 2WD mode.