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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  Best vehicle ever owned. - 1994 Geo Tracker
  By Don and Susan - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This little tracker is a trooper!! Weve had it for 10 years and believe it or not...we replaced the brakes AFTER 100,000 + miles. Do you believe it? We ordered it..received it...loved and still do, it. I was coming home from work one day. It was a TERRIBLE snow storm. The roads were covered. Our little tracker brought me home safely in a level 3 emergency. I hope it lasts forever. The Giffs

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  Not Flashy, but reliable - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By JOHNinNJ - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car since new, and driven it almost every day. Its not a race car, but it starts every day, in any temperature. I have not been stuck in snow or ice, even with the 2WD. I also use it as a truck and have hauled everything from furniture to loads of paving bricks without a problem. At 105K, it still has the original clutch and rear brakes, and I have had no major repairs - just normal maintenance. (PS - I got rear- ended by a Caddy and it only scratched the bumper cover.)

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  Goes like a goat - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Tease-a-Wrangler - January 9 - 2:00 am

  The Geo Tracker 2DR 4X4 is high on the list of fun to drive vehicles with a real off-road capability. 50 state legal catalytic coverter back exhaust to get a few HP to help pull a larger tire change that caused taller gearing. Just dont try to drive it like a sports car in the corners and hold on with both hands when driving in the wind. If you can live with the stiff ride, its more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Im assuming the 5 speed manual transmission.

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  Great car - 1993 Geo Tracker
  By harlow - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I have not had any problems with this vehicle. I think it is fun to drive and it is great off road. It is a great looking vehicle pink color, white hard top roof, aluminum wheels

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  geo delivers - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By denny - October 9 - 2:00 am

  this car has been extremly reliable one idle adjustment, works well as a basic transportation we oown both covetrilbe and 4 door 4 wheel drive actualy we drive car in 4 wheel drive quite often in heavy snow it does exremly well since its light it pull 1200lbs problem with no issues

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  97 tracker - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By Tazoncaffeine - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used and have had it 4yrs. It has needed nothing beyond normal wear and tear and continues to give excellent mileage (20/25) for an suv.

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  Fun Dependable SUV - 1997 Geo Tracker
  By dogwinblue - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, great gas mileage, drives more like a car than a truck. Very dependable, had no problems. Rag top is great.

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  Good, yet bad Safe, yet still dangerous - 1995 Geo Tracker
  By Al1098 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is definately a descent car all around. The gas mileage is descent, the car rides pretty well, and it definately has many good points. 2 reasons I would definately never get one again... 1, its very slow. And 2, it is also quite dangerous. It is very easy to flip one of these things, and it sais just that on the sun viser in the car. Its a good car, but just be careful when driving it

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  great little car - 2 repairs 12 years - 1990 Geo Tracker
  By sejennin - September 14 - 2:00 am

  this is a great little very reliable car. I have only had 2 major repairs in the 13 years I have had the car. Of course I took care of regular preventive maintenance and that helped. The car sits high enough to see well in trafic. The seats are why I bought it. I am 6 ft tall and the head room is great. The swing open door in the back is more manageable than the swing up type. Loading groceries etc was always easy and very easy to unload. On the highway it is peppy and had good pick up nad go.

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  A Useful Machine - 1996 Geo Tracker
  By Pioneer62 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is hardly a flashy vehicle, but it has served faithfully and well since its purchase in 1996.