The new Chevy Tracker is the second generation of GM's mini-utility program. The first Tracker was a popular Geo model that went away last year, smarting from the newer competition from the RAV4 and CR-V.Unlike the Geo nameplate, the Tracker didn't go away. Instead of banishing the Tracker to the recycling bin, Chevrolet worked with Suzuki on an updated mini-utility. The result is a more upmarket mini-utility. The new Tracker is tighter, more refined and a much better-equipped vehicle than before. The Tracker sits on a new ladder-frame chassis designed by Suzuki that's much stiffer than the previous generation. It shares this chassis with Suzuki's new Vitara. Chevy's Tracker is distinguished with unique styling cues that seem a little more rugged than the other mini-utilities. The design looks a little cleaner than the Suzuki version. All four-door Trackers are powered by a 2.0-liter twin-cam four with 127 horsepower. A four-speed automatic transmission, which we didn't sample, is also offered for an additional $1,000. Four-door Tracker 4X4 models start at $16,295. The base two-wheel-drive four door retails for $15,195. A two-door Tracker convertible is also available, starting at $13,995. It comes standard with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine or optional with the 2.0-liter engine, and is available in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations. Our Tracker 4X4 came with optional power windows and mirrors and door locks, tilt steering and cruise control for a total price of $17,345.
It may look like a truck from the outside, but the Tracker feels like a car from the inside. Front seats put driver and passenger high behind the wheel with plenty of headroom, although the seats are a bit narrow and spongy for truly good support. The view from the driver's seat is great. The nose of the Tracker slopes away for good road visibility, and the narrow roof pillars allow panoramic vision. The spare tire is set low enough on the back door to see out the rear. Instruments are clear and switches operate with the click-click finesse of Toyota or Honda switches. The same goes for the Tracker's five-speed shifter, a smooth piece that combines with a light clutch for superior on-road driveability. If it weren't for the tiny little buttons on the radio, the Tracker's dash would be an unqualified success. Storage is never a problem. In fact, all the armrests, cupholders, door pockets, and netting throughout the Tracker may leave you wanting for more stuff. There's a place for everything in here, so you can keep everything in its place. Flipping the rear seats down provides a large cargo area capable of holding a big dog cage. Fabrics, plastics and materials are first-rate. They don't shout economy like the vinyl of past Trackers, and the dark gray provides a lighter ambiance. The doors thunk firmly in place, and the seams inside are small and unnoticeable. Of all the changes Chevy has made to the Tracker, the upgraded fit and finish is the most convincing and thorough. |
