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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  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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  1995 Geo Prizm keeps going! - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By John - March 1 - 7:34 pm

  I bought the car new in 1995 and ran it about 20,000 miles per year for the first 5 years or so. Car has been very good on gas and low maintenance. It is now used for smaller commutes and local driving, but keeps going. Very reliable, no major problems at this time. Now at 167,000 miles and going strong!

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  Best Small Car Ever Made - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By Tom - February 6 - 11:03 am

  I bought this car new in 1994 and have never had a major problem. The alternator went out around 100,000 and was replaced. I have 160,000 now and hope for 200,000. It leaks a little oil but this is from the oil pan and not the engine. It can be fixed. Always starts. I get 32 mpg and hope to drive this thing forever (now that I have a new van to pay for). The AC still works like new. The engine is as quiet as day one and it handles well on snow and ice. Left my wedding reception in this car, brought my first child home from the hospital in this car, and hope to take her to college in this car. If you ever get a chance to buy a good used one. Take it!

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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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  great transportation - 1992 Geo Metro
  By bob h - January 14 - 6:37 pm

  Great car, easy to work on and parts are readily available. Would drive this car anywhere! Mileage is great! Easy on tires

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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)

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  Fantastic Car!!! - 1995 Geo Prizm
  By AHanson - December 13 - 1:55 am

  This car is great in every respect. Good power around town, decent passing power on the highway - runs out of steam around 90 or 95 mph, but its only a 1.8 liter. Love the standard transmission, and it still averages 33 mpg. Interior is like new, as is the paint. 147,000 miles and its only been in the shop twice (wheel bearing assembly and clutch slave cylinder). Upgraded tires (Yoko Avid T4) give more sporty handling with a really smooth, quiet ride. Much smoother than my Explorer. There is no better car out there for the money. Period. Do yourself and buy this re-badged Corolla. Great first or commuter car. Rock solid reliable w/good performance and great MPG.

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  Good first car - 1990 Geo Storm
  By lor - November 28 - 3:35 pm

  Car has had many miles put on it yet o mechanical problems. Only problem that i have had was its exhaust pipe from the header detached. 50 dollars to repair. I rarely maintained it and it still ran no problem. I crashed it just the other day because a bus side-swiped me. Lost control and then ended up in a poll head on doing roupghly 35-40 mph. Airbag went off and i was fine. Walked away with no problems. Car held up really well. Its a shame cause its resale value is so poor that insurance will only give me the blue book value which is so low that its less than the price of the same model geo that people are selling it for.