1999 Chevrolet Tracker Review

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LAKE ARROWHEAD, California — There’s no place in the country that is more sport-ute crazy than L.A. This is where the light mini-SUV craze started, for Angelenos’ sake. What better place to check out the latest iteration from the folks that started it all — Suzuki and Chevrolet?

For 1999, the Tracker (and its identical twin, the Suzuki Vitara) has been redesigned from the ground up; only a few components carry over from previous models. Some years back, Chevrolet took the easy route into mini-utedom and went to their foreign partner Suzuki to get the original Tracker. Now in this iteration, Chevrolet has taken a major role in the redesign process.

Initially there was only the two-door Tracker, reflecting the beach, youth and fun image. As the sport-utility market moved from rough-riding off-roaders to more urban use, suspensions were softened and more features associated with comfort added. To wit, the Tracker now has four doors and fills the bottom niche of the family sport-utility market — it’s even become a viable alternative to a small station wagon.

 

Motoring mini-ute style

The two-door Tracker comes with a 1.6-liter SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that delivers a solid 97 hp. Four-door models feature the 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with 127 hp. (The bigger engine is also optional on two-door models.) Safety has been addressed by the build in rollover structure, dual air bags and anti-lock brakes.

The four-door doubtless will get the Tracker more sales exposure, and with its canvas top over the sunroof area and over the rear seats, the two-door will get more beach exposure. One thing Chevrolet wishes it had for Tracker is the V-6 that Suzuki offers in the Grand Vitara — at present, the Tracker will only be offered with four-cylinder engines.

 
The Tracker’s interior boasts a lot of cubby holes and bins, but the seats are a little narrow for wide American behinds.

The pleasant surprises exuding from Tracker continue inside. Everywhere you look in the Tracker, there are features that are not expected, and many that are extremely thoughtful. There are hidden storage containers under each front seat, the bumper is notched to allow the spare tire to drop below the driver’s rearward vision, and the spare itself is mounted to the rear door on a gas-strut hinge. And then there are delightful safety features not always found in this niche: a taut rollover structure, dual airbags and optional anti-lock brakes. Despite its somewhat narrow stance, the interior is generous, with more shoulder and rear leg room than many larger compact sport-utes.

 

A true sport-ute underneath

As for off-roading, the Tracker is a true sport-ute, with a fully boxed frame and a solid, galvanized unit body isolated from the frame with shock mounts, similar to expensive Land Rovers. The frame acts as a foundation that supports the body and the powertrain, anchors the suspension components, and helps isolate the passenger compartment from the pounding delivered by off-road terrain. New for '99 is an anti-flex beam located under the hood (standard with the 2.0-liter engine) which helps stiffen the already tight body structure.

Four-wheel-drive models feature a drastically improved traction system. "Shift on the fly" four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case are standard, allowing the driver to shift into and out of four-wheel-drive high at any speed below 60 mph, on demand.

I tested the Tracker in the high San Gabriels between Los Angeles and the high desert, where aerospace history is made every day. It performed comfortably on the highway, and capably in the high forests. Seldom did we have to engage the low range, even on the steepest slopes and in the slipperiest leaves. The two-wheel-drive versions will probably satisfy most needs.

Even at this reasonably high altitude, the engine was happy at all highway speeds, with the automatic versions being no detriment. Some solid 235-60/R16 tires, much larger than expected, helped this small vehicle. The addition of optional ABS is a great feature, and I highly recommend it.

If that doesn’t convince you, take the recommendation of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Mountain Rescue Team. They’ve been using a Tracker for the last two years and speak highly of their versatility and durability. Chevrolet has given them one of the new models, and they are pleased with the versatility offered by the small size, allowing it to navigate some tight canyons. On top of that, the deputies report a savings of more than 50 percent on their fuel bill versus other SUVs.

Other parts of the country don't have to deal with canyon fires, mud slides and earthquakes. But even for the heaviest of duties an SUV might face, the Tracker feels capable and, er, right on track.

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See the Chevrolet Tracker in Other Years:

2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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