1997 Geo Prizm Review

The refined Geo Prizm sedan is one of the class acts of the small-car field, although it is far from being the newest kid on the block.

The front-drive, subcompact Prizm, which looks and feels like a costlier, larger car, comes as a base, $12,495 model and as the upscale $13,145 LSi, which I recently tested.

The 2,359-pound Prizm drives much like the Toyota Corolla sedan, which is another top, dependable small car; both are mechanically identical and made in the same General Motors-Toyota plant in California. Sold by Chevrolet/Geo dealers, the Prizm differs in styling and dashboard design from the Corolla, which is slightly more expensive.

You might forgive the conservative Prizm's rather faceless styling because its doors close with a confident sound, parts fit nicely and the paint is flawless. For a small car, it is especially quiet and solid.

However, my test car's climate controls worked in an uncomfortably notchy manner, which wasn't the case with the 1994 Prizm I drove. The radio still is mounted too low for a driver to easily operate it.

The Prizm comes with few standard items; even a radio, tachometer and rear-window defroster cost extra. Thus, people on tight budgets should be careful with options. Extras pushed the price of my LSi to an eye-opening $18,137. Blame items such as $335 alloy wheels, an elaborate $420 sound system and two option packages totaling $2,220.

Many could do without the package's power windows, locks and cruise control. But most wouldn't want to bypass the $170 rear-window defroster or $595 anti-lock brake system, which are offered as non-package options and were on my test car. And many new parents will like the built-in, right-rear child safety seat--a $100 option for the LSi.

Standard for the base model are air bags, dual outside mirrors, reclining front bucket seats, console, remote fuel door and trunk releases, daytime running lights and rear-seat heating ducts. The LSi adds items such as a tilt steering wheel, upgraded cloth upholstery (leather is a $595 LSi option) and split-folding rear seat to enlarge the cargo area.

The standard Prizm engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that generates 105 horsepower. But optional for the LSi is a $352 1.8-liter four-cylinder. It's also rated at 105 horsepower, but is stronger than the base motor and produces more torque at much lower engine speeds for better, quieter response at low- and mid-range road speeds.

Both engines are modern, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

Fuel economy is important for many small-car buyers, and the Prizm won't disappoint them. The car's EPA-estimated m.p.g. figures are in the high 20s in the city and low 30s on highways--or 27 m.p.g. city and 34 highway for my automatic-transmission test car.

Estimated economy figures sometimes differ markedly from real-world driving numbers. But the LSi's gas gauge needle moved at a glacierlike pace, although I drove the car in a spirited manner.

The LSi is offered with a more efficient, $800 four-speed automatic transmission; the optional automatic for the base Prizm has only three speeds. A five-speed manual transmission is standard for each model and helps provide more vigorous performance.

Still, the LSi with the 1.8 and automatic has decent acceleration and hums contentedly on open roads--although its 65-75 m.p.h. passing times on highways are average.

The optional power steering is reassuring, and an all-independent suspension provides a supple ride. The standard model has acceptable handling, but the LSi 1.8 handles better because it gets a rear anti-sway and larger tires when the larger engine is ordered.

The front seats offer above-average support and a driver has great visibility to all sides. The car seats four adults in reasonable comfort, but a 6-footer behind a tall driver with his seat shoved back will have little room to spare. However, the trunk is large and has a low opening for easy loading.

Get the base Prizm with the standard engine and few options and you still have a beautifully built, polished sedan. Buy the car with the larger engine and options such as the leather upholstery and you've almost got a baby Lexus.