1993-1997 Geo Prizm Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

1993-1997 Geo Prizm Review

Sharing its basic design with the Toyota Corolla, as it had in the prior generation, the roundly restyled front-drive subcompact sedan from Chevrolet's Geo import group is a little longer than its predecessor. Interior space also expanded a bit, as did the sedan's trunk capacity. Only one body style went on sale: a 4-door sedan. A driver-side airbag was initially standard in both the base and LSi versions. Antilock braking was optional. Base engine was a 105-horsepower, twin-cam 16-valve, 1.6-liter four. A 115-horsepower 1.8-liter engine was available in the LSi edition.

Year to Year Changes

1994 Geo Prizm: A passenger-side airbag was added for 1994. Seatbelts were revised to permit easier installation of child safety seats without using a locking clip.

1995 Geo Prizm: Modest appearance and trim changes marked the '95 Prizms.

1996 Geo Prizm: The optional 1.8-liter engine dropped 10 horsepower this year, though its torque output grew.

1997 Geo Prizm: Power steering became standard rather than optional on the base version and the standard 1.6-liter engine dropped five horsepower (to 100), but gained five pound-feet of torque (to 105). An all-new Prizm was waiting in the wings for '98, but it would be badged a Chevrolet.

1993-1997 Geo Prizm Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Rear-seat room

Fuel economy	Radio controls

Acceleration (1.8-liter)

Quietness

Antilock brakes (optional)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration is capable enough with the small engine and either transmission; better yet with the 1.8-liter four--which turns out to be quite zippy. A 1.8-liter LSi with 5-speed averaged 29.7 mpg, with considerable highway driving included, and an inspiring 27.5 mpg in rush-hour commuting. Even with automatic and plenty of commuting time, a Prizm scored 27.1 miles per gallon. Handling produces no surprises, and the body leans quite a bit in turns but grips securely overall. In the base model, the tires will complain at the slightest hint of high-speed cornering. Optional power steering feels imprecise, but grows firmer once you're into a turn. Ride comfort is impressive for a subcompact, but expect some jolts when the going gets rougher. Wind noise and road rumble are minimal. Rear passenger space is bigger than before, but occupants might find their knees pushed into the seatbacks ahead. Prizm's trunk is roomy, with a flat floor and bumper-level opening. A split-folding rear seatback adds versatility to the LSi edition. Gauges are easy to view. Climate controls are easy to use, but stereo controls are too low and obstructed by the pull-out beverage holder. The optional CD-player stereo has too many small buttons.

Value for the Money
Few small cars are more polished than a Prizm, or as well-constructed. We rank it right alongside the Toyota Corolla and Honda's Civic as top subcompacts.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Geo Prizm	Rating

Performance	4

Fuel Economy	7

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	6

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	8

Total:	50

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.

1993-1997 Geo Prizm 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.

Audio system: Because it has a sensor that detects broken tapes, the cassette player may eject CD adapters used with it. (1993-94)

Dashboard lights: During assembly some gauge panels' printed circuits were damaged and the panel lights may flash or not work and the fuel gauge may not work. (1993)

Mirrors: The left-hand rear-view mirror can't be adjusted if the plate to which the cables attach cracks. (1993)

Steering noise: A squeak or rubbing noise from the steering column is often the result of a loose pinch bolt on the universal joint on the column inside the car. (1993-95)

Steering noise: Dry rubber bushing around steering shaft can cause squeaking from steering column. Lubrication may eliminate noise. (1993-97)

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	$640

Alternator	$600

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$935

Brakes	$215

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$530

Constant Velocity Joints	$570

Exhaust System	$505

Radiator	$300

Shocks and/or Struts	$910

Timing Chain or Belt	$150

NHTSA Recall History

1993-95: If liquid is spilled in console box area, airbag-warning light can illuminate during normal driving conditions and cause airbag to malfunction, deploying inadvertently.

1994: Anchor straps in certain seatbelt assemblies made by Quality Safety Systems were improperly heat treated and can break.

1995: Battery may have defective weld inside terminal, which can result in no-start condition or explosion.

1997: If airbag computer experiences mechanical shock within very short time after engine is started, airbag can deploy inadvertently.

1993-1997 Geo Prizm Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1993
Prizm	$1,400-1,700	$900-1,100	$200

1994
Prizm	$1,600-2,000	$1,100-1,300	$200-300

1995
Prizm	$1,800-2,200	$1,200-1,500	$300

1996
Prizm	$2,000-2,400	$1,400-1,700	$300-400

1997
Prizm	$2,300-2,700	$1,700-1,900	$400-500

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.

1993-1997 Geo Prizm Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	97.0

Overall Length, in.	173.0

Overall Width, in.	66.3

Overall Height, in.	53.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	2359

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.7

Rear Head Room, in.	36.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.1

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

Powertrain Options and Availability

Standard Prizm engine was a dual-overhead-cam 16-valve, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. The 115-horsepower 1.8-liter engine could be installed in the LSi edition as an option. That 1.8-liter engine was demoted to 105 horsepower for 1996, a year after the smaller engine lost three of its original 108 horsepower. However, torque rose from 115 to 117 pound-feet. Five-speed manual shift was standard; 3-speed automatic optional with the base engine, or electronic 4-speed automatic with the bigger engine. For 1997 the standard 1.6-liter engine dropped another five horsepower (to 100), but gained five pound-feet of torque (to 105) to compensate.

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

dohc I4	1.6 / 97	100-108	100-105	5-speed manual: 28/34 3-speed automatic: 26/30	5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	1.8 / 110	105-115	115-117	5-speed manual: 29/34 4-speed automatic: 27/34	5-speed manual: 29.7 4-speed automatic: 27.1

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

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1997 Prizm

Front Impact, Driver	4

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: USA

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

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Also in the 1993-1997 Geo Prizm Review:

Geo Prizm

Geo Prizm Road Test

Geo Prizm Reliability

Geo Prizm Prices

Geo Prizm Specs & Safety

Geo Prizm Photos

Geo Prizm Full Review