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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  Amazingly fun go anywhere anytime car. - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By SuperRamos - November 14 - 1:21 pm

  Ive owned 4 trackers 94 to 96 autos and manuals. My 4x4 is my all time favorite. I can do anything with this car. Its cargo ability with the top off is endless. Strong engine, Off road it is amazing. It scampers up hills and around sharp turns like no other. Summer driving is like heaven with the top down, sun warming your body and good music taking you down the road to the beach. Ground clearance and noise (good radio fixes the noise issue) are its only draw backs.

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  97 GEO LSI our Best Buy! - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Barry Cantrell - November 12 - 6:33 pm

  We bought our LSI 4X4 4 Door. I wanted black but we ended up with the dull red one, my wife loves it, I accepted it, it is her car! We had them add remote locks, but it came loaded, CD prim, pwr everything except seats. It has 130k and we changed: brakes, front autohub to manual (auto were too expensive, though it came with auto) O2 sensors-2x, complete exhaust-converter, tires so over all that is great! We did have to redo the AC. The gate lift handle cover fell off, put back. Wife loves it, I am crippeled with bad back, more than 30 miles I have to have a pain hypo! Not good on windy days! Rust on bottom-rockers/quarters.

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  Not A bad little SUV off the Highway - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By James - September 6 - 2:18 am

  Other reviews on the money. A decent vehicle around town with a bit of a rough ride. On the highway it is underpowered, real noisy (even with hard tops) and affected by winds and semi-trucks. It has been fairly reliable, needing battery (wiring) work, some seal maintenance and an EGR valve. The gas mileage could be better for a 4 cylinder. But if you want a 4 wheel drive, none of them get fantastic mileage. The engine is noisy, sometimes I wonder if the accelerator is a noise generator because while the engine gets louder, it has little pep. It is a good choice for a small SUV, just dont plan on lots of HWY road trips.

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  Very fun, go anywhere vehicle - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By TrckrLvr - May 22 - 5:41 pm

  I bought my Tracker from my brother, who has had it since 97. Overall, it is a great little vehicle. I recommend getting the 16-valve for more power. Mine is a 5-speed and gets 28 mpg. At 135k miles, all Ive done to it besides routine maintenance is replace the hubs. For some reason, mine also needs a rotor cap and button about every 30k miles. It can be a handful on windy days, but no worse than I expected of a small SUV. Its loud inside, but replacing the soft top with removable hard tops definitely helped. I would highly recommend it as a first car or something just to drive around town. Almost every week someone offers to buy mine, but Im not selling!!

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  Great Car - 1991 Geo Tracker
  By Brad - January 25 - 3:48 pm

  I bought mine with 218000KM now it has 296000km. Ive replaced the alternator, tires, brakes. My headlights no longer work except for the brights. Not sure what is wrong there. My fuel pump just shorted out as well as a relay and the computer. $1600 bill. Also, one seat broke but I found replacements. Other wise engine is great it does not burn any oil. 4WD is awesome. Gas mileage is awesome.

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  hard to find troubles - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By allen - October 26 - 10:22 pm

  zippy & fun- except for the impossible to fix idle stall issue. Dealer will gladly break your bank replacing everything and you will still have the problem, arghh! I think the culprit is carbon accumulating in the egr valve port.

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  Go little Tracker, GO! - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Alecia Mason - September 29 - 10:22 am

  Not bad for a such a tiny little truck. I recently bought a 1997 and I love it. Interior is comfortable, although for someone bigger than me (52" or taller) may find driver seat umcomfortable. Convertible top takes time to put up or down, but is very nice on those hot days. I drive an hour and a half to school or work everyday and highway driving is pleasant, however, high-speed passing power is only "acceptable" in my 5- speed. Gas mileage is a bonus, with the amount I save on gas from a V8 S10 pickup, my loan really does pay itself off! Its an awesome little truck, I must say. Unfortunately, all my friends with pickups have dubbed it "The little truck that thought it could....but couldnt"

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  The Best 4 wheel drive ever made ! - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Tracker Owner - August 30 - 6:24 pm

  I just love these Trackers I have two of them. I am a auto mechanic and have driven them all, this is the most reliable four wheel drive vehicle you will ever own thats made in North America Cammi plant in Ontario, Canada they are really Suzukis with Cosmetic differences only. I have only done basic upkeep(Oil,tune up and battery ect.) and fixed week fuel injector of which they only have one (less problems). In 50,000 miles of use and I bought it used with 145,000 miles. You have to watch out for Kids that have owned them and abused it offroad thats Or anybody else who has. Do not buy ones that have rust under the doors or where the doors mount. Thats there flaw rust.

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  Fun to drive and great MPG to boot - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By Geo Fan - August 8 - 1:15 pm

  I have only owned this for a short time but it seems to be well built. Nothing fancy, just basic transportation. It gets 30 mpg in town and is really a hoot to drive. It is no speed demon but is great around town. The 4x4 works well off road as well. Top comes off easily and has fair amount of room in the back for passengers (short trips only though). Overall this is a great little SUV which I use as work/hunting SUV, that way my Ford F250 4x4 Superduty can sit and save me some $$ on gas during the week.

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  great suv - 1992 Geo Tracker
  By tracker - July 25 - 5:50 pm

  This thing is great. But lets be honest it is pretty old and parts are going to need to be replaced. My dad owned it first and I got it back in 1999. Until this past year I never had to do anything to the vehicle other than oil change. After 90,000 miles I had to replace the cpu $500. Now the power steering pump leaks and it needs tires. You cant get the thing stuck anywhere. I have pushed full size trucks out of ditches. Runs great no mechanical failures ever. They just rust a little too much. I would buy another without hesitation. If you can find one with under 70,000 miles jump on it, you wont be disappointed. Mine has 102,000 and only needs a little pwr steering fluid monthly.