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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  Fun, Fun, Fun! - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By russ - November 2 - 1:44 am

  Bought this car because I need to rent a car for two weeks while my other was being repaired. It was only $1,400 and had been used as a tow vehicle behind a motorhome. Came with a soft and hard top. Gave my 15 year old his first driving lesson it it (has a 1.6L motor and 5 speed trans). When he gets his license he can buy it from me. I hyper mile better than 38 mpg out of this car around town, but freeways speeds can get scary. Overall its a great little runabout. Too bad they dont make them anymore.

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  Lil Mule wont quit. - 1990 Geo Tracker
  By Lil Red Mule - September 12 - 10:45 am

  On a daily basis this vehicle continues to impress me. It is trouble free, (scheduled maintenance notwithstanding)is peppy when you get the engine into the power band, and handles well in the city. It is fun to drive and tackles snow covered streets with ease. The engine and drive line appears to be almost bullet-proof. This little car has a very strong cult following. Compare prices of Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book and then see what people are actually paying for these little 4X4s. The cost difference between what the auto appraisers say they are worth and the actual price that people are paying for a decent Tracker with under 100,000 miles can be as much as $2,000.00 more. Very significant!

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  I cried when my Geo Tracker died. - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Mitzi The Tracker - September 7 - 5:06 pm

  My Geo Tracker, lovingly nicknamed Mitzi, was my first car and baby. I got her used for $1600 in 2002 and she was worth tenfold that. I ran her ragged but she was always faithful, though often in need of some sort of work due to my own lack of car savvy, and felt like a member of the family. She served me well for 6 years until her brakes began to fail and it was no longer worth the cost of replacement. I literally cried when Mitzi died and I hope that I can find another car I love as much.

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  things wrong - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By forest - May 29 - 10:11 pm

  My brother owns a mechanic shop and when I put my tracker on the lift I heard crunching upon looking further into this noise I took off the lower molding and found major body rot. The power Windows are loose on the tracks the rear end sways real bad I think the rear sway bars are bad not sure, sometimes rain leaks in thru the tops of the doors the locking hubs dont work so no fwd the differential work but not the hubs I want to do work to this but I cant find any replacement parts do they still make body parts for my model or do you know of some fixes that I can do one last item sometimes the radio wont adjust and all the speakers are blown

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  cool ride - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By cool ride - May 26 - 8:36 pm

  This has been one of the funnest little rigs Ive ever had. Have changed mine a little, my little tracker looks like a little pickup. Got rid of the bubble top and put on tonneau, windjammer, and sun top. All an come off or just a piece at a time. Have added tube bumpers front and rear. Added aggressive tires and chrome wheels. Everyday someone says to me how nice it is. Have had people offer to buy it right on the spot. Believe me I wouldnt spend the money if it wasnt worth it. The only other thing I have to say about it is:its not a Jeep thing!

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  Built to last and last - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By nick - May 21 - 8:46 am

  I bought my GEO new back in 1995. My GEO has NEVER seen the inside of a mechanics shop. This car is very easy to maintain. Ive replaced the alternator in 2007, clutch cable in 2007, my water pump in 2008,Ive also replaced my hubs and rear shocks. All of which I didnt mind doing myself. Parts are very inexpensive and this engine / car is very easy to work on yourself. I currently have over 120k on it and it still runs very strong. Im still averaging 30+ MPG. With gas being so high Im gonna hold on to my GEO as long as I can...

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  Trackalac - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By T james - May 4 - 2:26 am

  The tracker was purchased in 96 from a dealership. Wonderful handling, ok stereo, and great gas mileage. It was handed down to me by mom mother when i received my license at 16. It now has 191,294 miles on it and its still runs perfect. My starter Just messed up the other day but thats because i am a delivery driver and turn my car on and off a lot. But i found another one at a junk yard for $35. So I fixed it quite easily. The tracker is not necessarily the safest but i have never had an accident, Nor a scratch. Wonderful car! wouldnt trade for the world.

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  Inexpensive car but has problems - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By SW - April 10 - 5:46 am

  I have owned this car since 1999 and bought it used at 38,000 miles. I now have 85,000 miles which was done mainly in a small (60,000 people) town. It gets around 20 mpg in town, and about 24 mpg on the highway at 70 to 75 mph. As a city car it does just fine, on the highway watch out. This car is light and is blown around in strong crosswinds. I have had a transmission problem since I bought it which has persisted even after being repaired three times. I have a EGR problem that was diagnosed to be a computer problem, but that did not go away when I bought a used computer module. Other than those two problems the car has been reliable although it is now burning oil on startup though.

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  love it - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By adam.t.miller - April 9 - 7:34 am

  I have owned a 89 sidekick 4wd and this 93 tracker. I have loved them both! from May until Sep I take the top off (in MN) and drive. only complaint is it can be a handful in strong winds or on winter roads so you must be vigilant. Is most at home on a two lane road or around town cruising. The highway is a little fast for it. My girls love to go for rides with dad with the top down so it gives us good bonding time. I would buy another without reservation and find it a better buy then the Jeep Wrangler and comes without all the problems. It is so easy to work on and simple in its design that it has few problems to deal with.

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  Small but love it - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By ronnieg1 - March 31 - 7:39 pm

  Well my Tracker I love it cause its an awesome little car and yeah it may not be a fast car but I love driving it as well as taking it off road and the tops kinda a big pain but other than that I have not had any problems with it but also its a wonderful car in the snow and its not too big or too small of a car its just right for me. I love the top as well as how it looks and the performance of these little cars are great and if someone were to ask me if I would suggest they buy a tracker I would say yes definitely