In the market for a sport utility vehicle, but don't quite have the $25,000 or a $30,000 for a well-equipped Ford Bronco or Chevrolet Blazer? The people at Geo, makers of small, low-priced and fuel-efficient vehicles, may have a solution. Geo vehicles are marketed by General Motors and sold through GM's Chevrolet/Geo dealership network. Geo's popular three-door Tracker mini sport-utility vehicle has been around since 1989. For the 1996 model year, Tracker is again available in a three-door, soft-top convertible. Three-door hardtops have been discontinued. However, Geo introduced an all-new , five-door, hardtop wagon this model year. Both are available in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive models. Base and upgraded LSi trim levels are sold in both sizes. We had a chance to test drive the new, five-door, two-wheel drive hardtop which boasts dual airbags, daytime running lights, redesigned front grille and child security rear-door locks. Anti-lock brakes are optional. Our test-drive model, with manual transmission, had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $14,570. With four-wheel anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, rear window wiper and washer, and other assorted goodies, the bottom line was $16,966. Tracker is an affordable, mini sport-utility vehicle aimed at shoppers priced out of standard-sized sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) which cost thousands of dollars more than a comparably equipped Tracker. For example, a five-door, two-wheel drive Blazer has a suggested retail price starting at $21,150. Tracker's chief competition includes its sister car, the Suzuki Sidekick, the Jeep Wrangler, which receives a major redesign when it debuts later next year as a 1997 model, and Toyota's new RAV4. These vehicles position drivers higher up, providing a better view of the road than conventional sedans or coupes. Sport utilities, along with minivans, have grown in popularity during the last decade, and aggressive growth is expected to continue. The five-door Tracker is substantially bigger than its two-door counterpart. Its 96.7 inch wheelbase, defined as the distance between the front and rear axle, is 11 inches longer, which adds up to 12 more cubic feet of cargo capacity inside. At 2,424 pounds, the five-door Tracker is almost 200 pounds heavier too. All Trackers are powered by a relatively small, 1.6-liter, single overhead cam engine delivering 95 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute. This engine has a remarkably quite idle, even on cold mornings. The standard, five-speed manual transmission provides more acceleration punch, and is recommended over the optional automatic transmission. Unlike some standard-sized SUVs and minivans, getting into and out of Tracker is accomplished without much twisting and turning. Some SUV designs make the first step seem like your getting into a airplane cockpit. Getting in and out of a Tracker is as easy as entering and exiting a standard-sized sedan or coupe. As is the case with standard size SUV's, big side view mirrors provide drivers with good road feedback. However, side view mirrors on models without power options could use a toggle switch accessible from the cabin. Currently, to change mirror positions the window must be rolled down. and the mirror adjusted by hand. The standard-sized spare tire, mounted on the back door, blocks sight lines in the rear view mirror. Rear vision is especially limited at night when headlights of vehicles behind drop out of sight behind the tire. Head room, in both front and back, is sensational. Front seat leg room is decent, but back seat riders are in for a tight fit, especially when the front bucket seats are slid back all the way. The back seat folds down with a 60/40 split, and can also be folded forward for more cargo space. Dual cup holders are within easy reach of the driver and front-seat passenger. The stereo has large, preset buttons. Levers control temperatures and fan speed. Since Tracker has more window area than conventional sedans, fan speed needs to be set high to defrost windows on cold mornings. Driver's have a decent view of the dashboard, although rear window defroster and rear windshield wiper buttons are blocked by the steering wheel. Since the five-door wagon has a longer wheelbase and more weight than its two-door counterpart, it's less susceptible to wind gusts when traveling at highway speeds . Fuel mileage is estimated at 24 miles per gallon city, and 26 mpg highway. Our test model, with 5,400 miles, registered an impressive 25 mpg combined city and highway. The five-door wagon's fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons of unleaded gasoline, while the smaller convertible holds 11.1 gallons. The fuel tank door needs a gas cap holder inside so drivers don't mistakenly drive off without properly securing the cap. Tracker is a viable alternative for shoppers looking for a SUV priced in the mid teens. The five-door wagon has a less choppy ride than the three-door convertible. However, our two-wheel drive test model was not designed for heavy off-road use. Geo Tracker, along with its sister car, the Suzuki Sidekick, is assembled in Ontario, Canada at a plant GM shares with Suzuki. |