Overview & Reviews

As the market for import automotive brands became dramatically larger in the late 1980s, the Detroit automobile companies created their own import-style sales divisions. In 1989 General Motors introduced its Geo division, which became the most successful of these attempts before the division was discontinued in 1998.

Geo re-badged various GM cars made for world markets. Its most notable success came with the Geo Prizm, a version of the Toyota Corolla then being built cooperatively in a California assembly plant by Toyota and GM. The Geo Metro compact car began life as the Suzuki Swift, while the Geo Tracker sport-utility vehicle was derived from the Suzuki Sidekick. The Geo Spectrum sedan was an Isuzu I-Mark and the Geo Storm coupe was an Isuzu Impulse.

The experiment ended because the Geo division was unable to establish a stronger identity than the brands from which its products were taken. Moreover, GM quickly realized that Geo was simply funneling its brand loyalists into the import brands of other companies.

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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  Great car - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Bob - October 12 - 10:29 pm

  Bought this car in 1999 and I have driven it almost 90,000 miles. From cold NY winters to hot Las Vegas summers, this car has never left me stranded by the roadside.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By jan - August 29 - 6:41 pm

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. I had a corolla before the geo and the geo is better overall. Ive had it for about 6 years and Ive never brought it into the shop for anything except maintenance (oil changes, belts, brakes etc.). It is excellent on gas. I highly recommend this car. The pick up is not great but otherwise I love this car. I am so sad they stopped making it.

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  love this car! - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By thediceman - May 14 - 12:04 am

  First brand new car I ever bought and still pleased! Over 9 yrs old and approaching 160,000 miles. Have done all regular maintenance and going great! good acceleration even at high speeds. fun for motoring! :) easy to drive in rain/snow--corrects easily from a skid. sturdy build--I cant believe the stuff Ive run over or hit with this car over the years and its still driving fine and looks great!

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  Its been a gem! - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By billyb34usa - April 1 - 11:16 am

  My Geo had 15,600 on it when I bought it. It had been a rental. Its an automatic, but Ive gotten a steady 30- 31 mpg around town, upwards to 35 mpg on a long trip. Im 71 and owned this car longer than any other. Starter and alternator have been only replacements. Its been in California all these years and garaged every night so the body and paint still look great. I love its looks.

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  Hate to sell it - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By wshelx - March 19 - 12:15 am

  I bought this car new almost 10 years ago. It never gave any trouble. It even jump started my Honda CRV. I recently put in new tires and brakes and changed fluids, wishing to drive it 100,000 more miles for 10 more years. But my wife decided to sell it because the famaly is growing and we bought a large SUV. Hate to sell it! This baby was in my family before my first baby.

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  Great econo-box - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By Matt - March 16 - 7:49 pm

  Great little car - got it 1 year ago w/80K, now has close to 100K. Handles and drives nice for a compact. Seems to be well-built and reliable. No problems other than routine maintenance- this is surprising considering that it seems like the previous owner beat up on it pretty good. Perfect car for getting around town, not as ideal for highway cruising. Good gas mileage. Buy one if you want a Toyota Corolla, but are looking for something a little cheaper.

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  Like a Lexus?!? - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By rotaidalg - March 15 - 9:49 pm

  I recently bought this car from an individual in Colorado (I live in Montana). The car was new in Texas and the second owner bought it in 2002. Its the LSi w/leather interior 6 spkr sound system Cassette/CD - the works. Also its the 5-spd tranny. 189,050 miles on it when I bought it - now at 192,070. Previous owner had ALL belts replaced, clutch, rear suspension, the left front wheel bearing - all between 150,000 and 179,000 miles. The car is a bit noisy at highway speeds - but Im still running studded Snow tires w/aggressive tread - will be quieter w/normal All-season tires on it. Currently getting between 38 and 41 MPG! I love Toyotas and thats really what this is!

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  Bring Back the Metro - 1996 Geo Metro
  By Metroman - January 14 - 4:21 pm

  I purchased this little jewel with 90000 on the odometer. It runs great and gets great gas mileage. It is low priced and long lasting. With the high cost of fuel nowadays, the Suzuki Corp and GM should rejoin forces to produce such a wonderful little car. The Car is approaching 115,000 miles a running strong, not bad for $1,500.00 investment.

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  I miss this car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By gudly - December 19 - 11:42 am

  I bought this in 1998 with 55,000 knowing it was the same as the corolla but it actually looked similar to the newer body style. I traded it in at 182,000 miles in 2004 because I needed a truck. When I traded it in I was still getting the same great gas mileage when I first got it. Im 62" and fit very comfortably. Side note. My wife drives a 98. It is smaller inside and we have had a number of little problems with it. (havent even reached 100,000 on it yet)