1995 Geo Tracker Review (continued)
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Walkaround

If the Tracker could speak, it would scream cute." The cuddly look applies to all available Tracker models - 2WD or 4WD, hardtop or convertible, base or LSi. In both size and style, the shape is unlike other sport/utility vehicles, with the exception of the Suzuki Sidekick, which is also made by CAMI in Intersoll, Ontario - General Motors’ joint venture with Suzuki Motor Company Ltd.

The Sidekick is an exception, of course, because it’s the same vehicle.

The bite-size proportions of the Tracker are emphasized by the short overhangs - the part of the body that extends beyond the wheels at the front and rear of the car - and the fact that the wheels themselves are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle. The large tires encircle steel or aluminum wheels depending on your option package, and fill neatly flared fenders at all four corners.

Between the fenders, the Tracker has only two doors; beyond the fenders, the Tracker goes nowhere but up. The bumpers - body colored on the LSi but black in base trim - sit just ahead of the front wheels and immediately behind the rear. The body doesn’t protrude beyond the wheels except vertically, where the Tracker is capped by either a convertible or a hard top.

For 1995, the two-position convertible top has been redesigned to make it easier to operate. The front half of the top folds back to provide a sunroof effect, or the entire top stows behind the rear seats for open-air driving."

Interior Features

Inside, the Tracker is by no means plush. Certainly not in the way that more expensive sport/utilities pamper passengers. But it gets by.

No airbag here. But the Tracker is equipped with manual lap/shoulder safety belts for the front and rear outboard passengers.

The front seats are quite comfortable and slide forward for easy access to the backseat. Standard front seats are high-back reclining seats with integrated head restraints, cloth bolsters and vinyl seat backs. High-back cloth bucket-seats with adjustable head-restraints are standard on the LSi.

The base seat-fabric is Dark Charcoal highlighted with multicolor accents to match youthful exterior colors that include Sky Blue Metallic and Dark Grape Metallic. The LSi version has blue-red accents.

The rear seat is only comfortable for short jaunts. It folds forward for additional storage.

Storage behind the rear seat is about as deep as a loaded grocery bag. Speaking of which, the rear door swings open sideways for easy loading, though we found it cumbersome unzipping the top and maneuvering the door latch that’s hidden behind the externally mounted spare tire. A rear wiper/washer is now standard on the LSi hardtop model.

The analog instrument panel is spartan but easy to read. For 1995, all Trackers have a standard center console that includes a storage tray and the obligatory dual cupholders.

Three sound-systems are available on the Tracker. An AM/FM stereo with a clock and four speakers is standard on the LSi but optional on base models. The next-level system includes a cassette player and theft-deterrent mechanism. A CD player is also available.