Introduction

For the price of a little car, some folks would rather have a little truck. Little trucks are often better for carrying big things. With their higher ground clearance, they can go places little cars can't, particularly if the little truck has four-wheel-drive. Little trucks make a bigger styling statement. A little truck tells the neighbors you relish adventure; a little car says you relish economical living. Honda, Toyota, Ford, and Mazda know this, and they each offer a tall little car (CR-V, RAV4, Escape, and Tribute, respectively) with some of the characteristics of a little truck. And that suits most folks just fine. But the Chevrolet Tracker is a real, genuine, 100-percent truck, built on a rigid truck-type ladder frame, and offering truck-style part-time four-wheel-drive with a rock-crawling low range. Yet Tracker also offers some of the best features of a little car, including maneuverability, reasonable fuel economy, and even a base price comparable to that of a well-equipped compact. So the Tracker makes a lot of sense for a lot of people.

Walkaround

Chevrolet has positioned the Tracker to compete against car-based compact SUVs, including the Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CRV, as well as more serious truck-based off-roaders like the Kia Sportage. Under its stylish skin, the Tracker fits in the latter category. Tracker rides on a rigid, truck-like ladder frame, and offers part-time four-wheel drive for maximum off-road capability. Its current look is smoother and more sophisticated than that of previous-generation Trackers, but retains some unique cues that give it a more rugged appearance than the other mini-utilities. Tracker shares its mechanical platform with the Suzuki Vitara and Grand Vitara, but we like the cleaner look of the Chevy.

Interior Features

Refinement is a priority in the Tracker's interior. It may look like a truck from the outside, but the Tracker feels like a car on the inside. The front seats prop the driver up high behind the wheel, and there's plenty of headroom. The instruments are highly legible, and the switchgear operates with the finesse of a Honda's or a Toyota's. If it weren't for the tiny little buttons on the radio, the Tracker's dash would be an unqualified success. The Tracker's nose slopes away for good road visibility, helpful when driving off road, while narrow roof pillars allow panoramic vision, important on busy streets. The spare tire is set low enough on the back door, so it does not block vision out the rear. The rear head rests did block vision in previous Trackers, but that problem has been at least partially solved by see-through halo head rests in 2002 models. The air conditioning automatically activates whenever the windshield defroster is turned on, supplying dry air for quicker defogging. On four-door models, the system comes with a replaceable pollen filter that removes allergens and dust from the passenger compartment, a feature once reserved for luxury cars. Storage is rarely a problem. With armrests, cupholders, door pockets, and netting throughout the Tracker, there's a place for everything 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. Convertible models can be ordered with a lockable storage compartment in the rear. Fabrics, plastics and other materials are first-rate. They don't shout economy like the vinyl of past Trackers, and the dark gray color provides a lighter ambiance. The doors thunk firmly in place, and the seams inside are small and unnoticeable. Fit and finish are much better than in earlier models. The Tracker automatically turns on its headlights and all exterior lights when it detects darkness. In broad daylight, it runs the headlights at reduced intensity and turns off the taillights.