The Geo Tracker is a compact SUV marketed by General Motors in the United States and built by a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki in Canada. Although the Geo Tracker 4×4 was eventually discontinued, it lived on well into the new millennium as a Chevrolet and as the Suzuki Vitara. The Tracker is notable in that it exhibits outstanding off-roading capabilities for a compact SUV.

The Geo Tracker was sold from the 1989 through 1997 in both convertible and hardtop models. Two trims were offered: base and LSi. Base models offered cloth seats, a five speed manual transmission, and power brakes. The plusher LSi models added amenities such as AM/FM audio system and clock. Options that were available on all Trackers included manual air-conditioning, power steering, and an automatic transmission. The only engine option available on early Tracker models was a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine; later models were offered with a 2.5 liter six cylinder option. The four cylinder delivered 80 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque. A highlight of the four cylinder engine was its fuel economy. Equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, returned fuel economy was in 25 to 29 miles per gallon. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, with a three-speed automatic was available as an option.

Four wheel drive was available on all Trackers, and a floor-mounted two-speed transfer case made selecting either 2WD or 4WD operating modes very easy. The bucket seats for front occupants are very comfortable in the Tracker, and the rear bench seat has room for two passengers. With the rear seat folded down, the Tracker has 32 cubic feet of storage. In 1991, rear antilock brakes was made a standard feature on all Tracker models. In 1995, Tracker’s convertible top was redesigned to make its operation simpler. Dual airbags became standard on all Trackers and four-wheel anti-lock brakes and cruise control were made optional.

The Tracker is a compact SUV that offers great value and excellent off-road capabilities. The Geo Tracker is supported by GM’s massive dealer network; in addition, Suzuki sells an SUV that is almost identical to the Tracker called the Vitara that shares many of the Tracker components. Geo Tracker parts should be able to be obtained at either GM or Suzuki dealerships throughout North America.