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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  fun to drive & economical too - 1992 Geo Metro
  By wehrd1 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car for a steal...it has 113000 miles on it and STILL gets 45 mpg with the A/C on!! Its actually a lot more roomy inside than i first anticipated. The a/c pulls it down a little, but what do you expect from a 3 cyl. car.

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  I love this car - 1992 Geo Prizm
  By Prizm lover - July 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car and I have a hard time considering getting rid of it. It has always been reliable. I have had to replace a few things, but that is to be expected with any car. My boggest complaint is the material made to make the door handles, cup holder, etc. break easily!

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  great little car - 1991 Geo Storm
  By snuggle2 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 6 years and have nothing but good things to say. It has 185K and recently due to a new job which require me to drive all the time Ive reaaly started to rack the miles and she is holding strong. No major problems to date. The only complaint would come from my daughter who is almost 5"9 and on occassion has had to sit in the back where there is no leg room. But wouls strongly recommend for the price and the milage.

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  reliable for 12 years in northeast cold - 1990 Geo Prizm
  By beanpotm - July 12 - 2:00 am

  bought this geo prism in 1990, new and have had wonderful luck with it. I am a petite female and I have always found it was extremely comfortable to drive. Still very responsive. I have 111,000 miles, and it was never garaged throughout some tough winters. I now have a little rust underneath panel, still running great.It has never broken down or been in accident

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  I loved my geo! - 1996 Geo Metro
  By ilovemygeo - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Geo! I bought it because of the great fuel efficiency!!! Everyone should have a fuel efficient car. The only problem is the big gas guzzlers that infiltrate the roads!!! People living in the flatlands do not need 4- wheel drive!!

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  Green Machine - 1994 Geo Metro
  By muzikman1037 - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car to learn to drive. It has been very dependable and excels at fuel economy. It currently has 115,000 miles and is still going strong with no problems. Other drivers often seem surprised at its pep and ability to keep up with larger cars with bigger engines. I have very impressed with my Metro.

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  Awesome Car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By geoguy - June 17 - 2:00 am

  My first new car! Driven daily for 8 years - almost 100,000 miles and still going strong. Decent engine power (at least without the A/C), responsive steering. Extremely reliable - only maintenance, and one alternator at 90,000 miles. Great gas mileage. Good sound system. Too bad Chevy will no longer be offering these. Will probably buy a Corolla (its twin) next time!

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  Good little car - 1994 Geo Prizm
  By moosesmom - June 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine as a salvage vehicle, and Ive had to fix a few random things, and it still has some quirks (cant roll up the drivers-side window if youre going above 45mph) but overall its been good. When I bought it it had 94K on it, now it has 124K. In that time (15 months), Ive bought 2 sets of tires, numerous oil changes, two alignments, transmission, starter, alternator, timing belt, replaced all the other belts and hoses, and replaced the distributor and everything that attaches to it. Besides the tranny, the most $$ repair was the distributor.

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  Great Car - 1996 Geo Prizm
  By bgood19999 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  We have 105,000 miles on this car. Its a work horse. Never had any major problems except to change the bearings in th efont drivers side wheel. Big Deal. I recomend this car to anyone!!!

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  Good solid car - 1997 Geo Prizm
  By bres - June 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is safe, convenient and reliable. Those are not sexy words and this is not a sexy car. I do have a few quibbles with the manufacture of the Prizm -- one of the inside arm rests was not well attached and frequent comes off when grabed and one of the heating dials came loose a while ago. Again, annoying but rather minor. It has never broken down or had major problems.