1990-1994 Geo Metro Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Geo Metro. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Geo Metro.

1990-1994 Geo Metro Review

Marketed as a Geo by Chevrolet dealers, the Metro was built for General Motors by Suzuki. Both 2-door and longer 4-door hatchbacks were available. Metros carried a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder engine that developed a modest 55 horsepower. Base models first came only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. A 3-speed automatic was available on the upscale LSi. For 1990, the economy-leading model got an XFi designation. The XFi was the only model not available as a 4-door, and could not be equipped with an automatic transmission. Its engine developed less power. Also, A 2-seat convertible with a driver-side airbag and manual folding top appeared.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Geo Metro: More convertibles were available for sale in 1991. Metro interiors now were treated with Scotchgard-brand fabric protector. The LSi edition got a new seat design with separate front headrests.

1992 Geo Metro: Revised front and rear styling included a freshened nose with a more prominent spoiler: black on the XFi and base model, but body-colored on the LSi. A new instrument panel included a cupholder and storage tray. Taillamps showed a new full-width design.

1993 Geo Metro: Automatic front-door locks and several new colors were the major changes for '93.

1994 Geo Metro: Convertibles and LSi models departed after the 1993 model year. New door-mounted seatbelts could be left buckled to automatically deploy when doors were closed.

1990-1994 Geo Metro Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Noise

Maneuverability	Refinement/size/weight

Price

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Gas mileage is outstanding from the 3-cylinder engine, especially with manual shift. Fuel economy, in fact, is the Metro's greatest virtue. It's not uncommon to top 42 mpg with manual shift. A 2-door with 5-speed transmission averaged 38.5 mpg in mainly rush-hour commuting. A Metro is lively around town with the 5-speed. Keeping up with traffic isn't a problem. Unfortunately, the noisy engine sounds like it's being thrashed, and highway passing power is scarce. An automatic transmission cuts into both acceleration and economy. Road and wind noise add to the annoyance in this minimally insulated econobox. Delicate, featherweight construction and a short wheelbase combine to produce a jarring ride, at least some of the time. Handling is no better. We're also wary about this lightweight's level of crash protection. Interior trim is a tad tacky, but four adults can fit neatly, considering the tiny package. Tall drivers have to recline the seatback to get needed head room. Rear leg space in the 2-door is insufficient for adults.

Value for the Money
While the Metro might be worth considering if you need a gas-miserly budget-mobile, we recommend that you shop for a more substantial car. Convertibles are fun, but they share demerits with other Metros.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Geo Metro 2-door 5-speed	Rating

Performance	1

Fuel Economy	7

Ride Quality	2

Steering/Handling/Braking	2

Quietness	1

Controls/Materials	3

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	2

Total:	26

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Geo Metro Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: Vibration in reverse is caused by the fluid-filled motor mounts and transmission mounts. Revised parts are available. (1991-92)

Brakes: Brake pedal vibrations are due to by warped rotors caused by uneven lug nut torque. (1990-94)

Hard starting: In cold weather the engine may not start, or may stumble or stall because ice forms in the vacuum line between the throttle body and MAP sensor. (1993-94)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$780

Alternator	$540

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$790

Brakes	$240

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$580

Constant Velocity Joints	$615

Exhaust System	$280

Radiator	$320

Shocks and/or Struts	$890

Timing Chain or Belt	$190

NHTSA Recall History

1990-91: Front seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.

1990-93: Mislocated spot welds of hood striker assembly cause cracks to start on hood inner panel; then, striker assembly may not properly engage latch, allowing hood to fly up while car is in motion.

1990-1994 Geo Metro Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Convertible	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100
Metro	$0	$0	$0

1991
Convertible	$1,100-1,400	$700-900	$100-200
Metro	$0	$0	$0

1992
Convertible	$1,200-1,500	$700-900	$100-200
Metro	$0	$0	$0

1993
Convertible	$1,300-1,700	$800-1,100	$200
Metro	$0	$0	$0

1994
Metro	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Geo Metro Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door hatchback	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	89.2	89.2	93.1

Overall Length, in.	147.4	147.4	151.4

Overall Width, in.	62.7	62.0	62.7

Overall Height, in.	52.0	52.4	53.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	1753	1650	1694

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	6.4	29.1	31.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	10.6	10.6	10.6

Seating Capacity	2	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.6	37.8	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4	42.5	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	--	36.5	38.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	--	29.8	32.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All Metros used a 1.0-liter, overhead-cam 3-cylinder engine. Rated 52 or 55 horsepower in standard form, it developed just 49 horses when installed in the frugal XFi Metro. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 3-speed automatic available on base and LSi versions (but not XFi).

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I3	1.0 / 61	49	NA	5-speed manual: 53/58	5-speed manual: --

ohc I3	1.0 / 61	52-55	56-58	5-speed manual: 46/49 3-speed automatic: 36/39	5-speed manual: 39.5 3-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 Metro

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Canada, Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Geo Metro Review:

Geo Metro

Geo Metro Road Test

Geo Metro Reliability

Geo Metro Prices

Geo Metro Specs & Safety

Geo Metro Photos

Geo Metro Full Review