| Geo/Chevrolet Tracker | |
| Production: | 1988–1990 (Japan) 1989–2004 (Canada/U.S.) 2004–2007 (Argentina) 1996–2016 (Ecuador) |
| Wheelbase: | 4-door: 2480mm |
| Length: | 4-door: 4135mm |
| Width: | 4-door: 1710mm |
| Height: | 4-door: 1685mm |
| Class: | Mini SUV Compact SUV |
| Manufacturer: | Suzuki General Motors CAMI Automotive |
| Body Style: | 4-door SUV 2-door convertible 2-door SUV |
| Successor: | Pontiac Aztek (Canada) Chevrolet Equinox (U.S. & Canada) Chevrolet Captiva (Mexico) Chevrolet Trax (Europe) Chevrolet Tracker (2019) |
| Layout: | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
The Chevrolet Tracker, formerly the Geo Tracker, is a mini SUV produced for Chevrolet and Geo by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario. The Tracker was produced under many brands in several different editions and in many countries.
| First generation | |
| Aka: | Chevrolet Tracker (1998 & 1989–1991 Canada) GMC Tracker Asüna Sunrunner Pontiac Sunrunner Chevrolet Vitara |
| Assembly: | Hamamatsu, Japan Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada Kosai, Japan Quito, Ecuador |
| Production: | 1989–1998 |
| Wheelbase: | 2-door: 86.60NaN0 4-door: 97.60NaN0 |
| Length: | 2-door:142.50NaN0 (1989–1995) 143.70NaN0 (1996–98) 4-door: 158.70NaN0 |
| Width: | 2-door: 64.20NaN0 4-door: 64.40NaN0 |
| Height: | 2-door: 650NaN0 (1989–1991) 65.60NaN0 (1992–93) 64.30NaN0 (2WD, 1994–98) 65.10NaN0 (4WD 1994–98) 4-door: 65.70NaN0 (2WD) 66.50NaN0 (4WD) GMC Tracker: 65.80NaN0 |
| Related: | Suzuki Escudo Suzuki Sidekick Suzuki Samurai Suzuki Vitara Suzuki Jimny Suzuki X-90 |
| Engine: | 1.6 L G16 (LS5/L01) I4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 3-speed GM TH180 automatic 4-speed Aisin 03-72LE automatic |
The Geo Tracker was a mini SUV introduced in late 1988 as a 1989 model. It was developed by CAMI which was a joint venture between General Motors of Canada and Suzuki. North American models were to be built in CAMI's Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada plant alongside its almost identical twin, the domestic-built Suzuki Sidekick (Escudo). Nearly all 1989 and some 1990 Trackers were built in Japan and imported to the US because of delays at the CAMI factory in Canada. In late 1989, production began in Ingersoll with about 6,100 Geo Trackers finished, with annual production projected to be around 200,000 units. In the beginning, all Canadian-made Trackers were sent to the United States to circumvent the 25 percent Chicken Tax; the Canadian market was supplied entirely from Japan.[1] Suzuki Sidekicks were added to the production line during 1990.
The Tracker was originally powered by Suzuki's 1.6L SOHC four-cylinder engine producing . The trim levels in 1989 were base convertible, base two-door hardtop, two-door XL bed, and LSi hardtop. LSi equipment included air conditioner, chrome rally wheels, intermittent wipers, rear window wiper/washer, spare tire cover, three-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission, tinted glass, and special red/black front and rear bucket seats. In 1990 the LSi trim was made available on the convertible models also. All Trackers were four-wheel drive until a base two-wheel drive convertible was introduced in 1992. The two-door hardtop models were available until 1995 when they were discontinued to make way for the four-door hardtop wagon that was to be introduced the following year. The two-door XL bed was a North America only edition which came with four more inches in the rear and a sealed two door cab. Although Suzuki started importing four-door Sidekicks in 1991, CAMI did not start producing them until the 1996 model year, when America got a four-door Geo Tracker, now powered by Suzuki's G16B 16-valve 1.6L boasting . In 1997, the Geo nameplate was merged back into Chevrolet and all Geo models, including the Tracker, Tracker XL, and all subsequent editions were rebadged as Chevrolet in 1998.
The Tracker was different from most other light SUVs on the market in that it is based on a rugged light-truck chassis and certified as a light truck. Although it appeared to be a comfortable passenger SUV, it was bolstered by a sturdy off-road four-wheel-drive system with a conventional light truck engine and transmission coupled to a hi-lo, 2-4 transfer case. The Tracker had a strong front suspension with a rugged recirculating ball steering box. The conventional front differential was rigidly mounted ahead of the engine, with CV axles connecting the coil-spring front hubs to the differential case. The rear axle was a conventional light truck unit on coil springs. As a result of the truck-like underpinnings, the Tracker had a fairly truck-like ride, but the benefit was its notable durability in harsh conditions.
The production of the first-generation model of the Tracker (and Sidekick) came to an end in Ontario after 1998 in order to make way for the second generation of Tracker/Vitara. However, the first generation Sidekick continued in production in other countries until 2004.
When the Geo Tracker was introduced in the United States, the Geo brand was not available in Canada. Because of this the Tracker was introduced there as both the Chevrolet Tracker and the GMC Tracker. The Chevrolet Tracker was sold at Chevrolet dealerships in Canada starting in 1989. Initially there were three models: a base convertible, base hardtop and a CL hardtop (CL is equivalent to the LSi in the Geo line). In 1990 a CL convertible was added to the line-up. 1991 was the last year for the Chevrolet Tracker as the Geo marque was brought to Canada in 1992 and all Chevrolet Trackers were renamed Geo Trackers, yet they continued to display the Chevrolet "bowtie" symbol on the front grille emblem until the end of production in 1998. All 1989–1990 Chevrolet Trackers were four-wheel drive. From 1991 on, the Geo Tracker sold in Canada was identical to its US counterpart. The GMC Tracker was also introduced for the 1989 model year to be sold at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealerships in Canada. Just like the Chevrolet and Geo initially there were three models: base convertible, base hardtop and SLE hardtop (SLE being equipped the same as the CL and LSi of the other marques). In 1990 an SLE convertible was added to the lineup. 1991 was the last year for the GMC Tracker as GM introduced the Asüna marque in 1992 and the GMC Tracker was renamed the Asüna Sunrunner. The Sunrunner was marketed as more upmarket and had no base model, with all of the Sunrunners being equipped like the SLEs were. The Asüna brand did not last long though, and after only two years (1992 and 1993) the Sunrunner was rebranded as a Pontiac. The Pontiac Sunrunner was sold in Canada from 1994 to 1998 in both base and top-of-the-line GT trim. It was available in two- and four-wheel drive and in both convertible and hardtop body-styles. While the Geo Tracker was also sold as a four-door wagon beginning in 1996, the Sunrunner never got this body style. The Sunrunner was discontinued without a direct replacement in 1998.
| Second generation | |
| Aka: | Suzuki Vitara |
| Production: | 1999–2004 (Canada) 1999–2008 (Argentina) 1999–2016 (Ecuador) |
| Model Years: | 1999–2004 (Canada) 2000–2008 (Argentina) 2001-2017 |