1999 Chevy Tracker Review
1999 Chevy Tracker Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Modern styling, surprisingly roomy interior.
Cons
- Buzzy, breathless engine lineup.
What’s new
The redesigned-for-1999 Tracker, available in either two-door convertible or four-door hardtop versions and in two- or four-wheel drive, features sporty new looks, more power, improved ride and handling and a roomier, more comfortable interior.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Tracker 2dr SUV 4WD w/Soft Top and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$195/mo for Tracker Base
Tracker Base
vs
$189/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
The all-new Tracker has finally arrived, with a fresh look and revamped interior that are sure to make it more attractive to folks cross-shopping the Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V mini-utes. Only the name and a handful of components carry over from the previous-generation Tracker, and the many improvements are evident throughout.With its lower roofline, sloping hood and sculpted flanks, Tracker's design is far more stylish than its predecessor, whether you choose the two-door softtop model or four-door hardtop. Better still, Tracker's all-new interiors are more comfortable and feature better ergonomics, including a reworked instrument panel that houses full instrumentation.
Unlike many of today's unibody mini-SUVs built off car platforms, Tracker boasts full ladder-type frame construction. Track width has been increased for '99 by nearly 2.5 inches for a wider stance, with MacPherson-strut front suspension and an all-new five-link rear setup locating its rigid axle. Even the steering has been improved, dropping the old recirculating-ball system in favor of a modern rack-and-pinion unit.
The result is improved ride and handling, with better stability and more substantial road feel. Sure, when driven hard the Tracker still exhibits plenty of understeer, but it is more predictable and less twitchy than last year's version. Power front disc brakes with rear drums bring things to a halt, while four-wheel ABS is optional. A new, "shift-on-the-fly" four-wheel-drive system with automatic locking front hubs is now standard on all 4WD models.
Four-door Trackers can be equipped with power windows, door locks and mirrors, while child security rear door locks are standard. Rear seating is surprisingly comfortable for two adults. Improving the way the rear seat is stowed not only provides a nearly flat load floor, but about two-and-a-half more square feet of cargo room as well. There are a wide variety of optional features to equip your four-door Tracker nearly as well as some popular compacts.
The two-door convertibles are more than six inches longer than last year, providing an additional 1.3 square feet of cargo floor area with the rear seat stowed. All have an improved, two-piece "easy opening'' top that opens up the front section, rear section or both to the sun. Dealer-installed "Exterior Accessory Packages" can also be added to custom-tailor your Tracker for more serious on- or off-road duty, if you so desire.
New this year is a 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine that is standard on the four-door and optional on convertibles. It puts out 127 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 134 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 revs through a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. The base motor on the two-door is a 1.6-liter inline four available only with the stick shift, but the little motor's 97 tortured ponies and mere 100 foot-pounds of torque demand that you opt for the bigger engine mated to the five-speed.
Sorry, but the V6 that is available in the Chevy's Suzuki twin, the Vitara, cannot be had in the '99 Tracker at any price. That's too bad, because even with its more powerful engine, the Tracker is woefully wheezy while under hard acceleration -- buzzing and complaining well before redline.
Power-hungry drivers aside, there's no denying that fun-in-the-sun motoring takes on fresh meaning behind the wheel of a little Tracker convertible -- even more so with the go-anywhere attitude afforded by four-wheel drive. And more practical-minded folks will no doubt appreciate the blend of good utility and fuel economy afforded by a Tracker four-door. Indeed, if you're looking for a mini-SUV for city driving chores and short weekend excursions, the new-and-improved Tracker's blend of features and value deserves a look.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Chevrolet Tracker.
5 star(38%)
4 star(45%)
3 star(14%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car I've Ever Owned
GEO Fan, 02/07/2009
1999 Chevrolet Tracker 2dr SUV 4WD w/Soft Top
This car is the most versatile, fun vehicle I've ever owned. It gets 29 mpg w plenty of power from the 2.0 engine. 4WD goes through any mountain snow storm. I take it up steep mountain dirt trails in a foot of snow. I go off-roading in the summer in rural Appalachia driving though streams, ATV trails & deep mud. I use it as a commuter economy car during the week. More reliable than the … Corolla/Prizm's, better MPG & 4WD than Suburu's I've owned. The only problem was with the transmission. Needed rebuilt at 116,000. Otherwise it's still like new after 10 years/122,000 miles. I plan on driving it over 200k just as I have w Suburu's & GEO Prizm's. My next vehicle - another Tracker.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Love my Tracker
OVUgirl, 08/21/2008
1999 Chevrolet Tracker 4dr SUV 4WD
I bought my Tracker on a lark, just out looking one Saturday. What a great find it was and still is. Tracker had 44,000 miles on it in 2004 and now has 122,000 with nothing but regular oil changes, brakes, tires and a timing belt. This is a great little SUV and really fun to drive or go muddin with. I can throw all kinds of mud on my friends expensive trucks and SUVs! It's a riot. Best … vehicle I ever bought, and I bought my first in 1968.
4 out of 5 stars
1999 4WD Automatic Conv.
eaoreilly, 01/23/2007
1999 Chevrolet Tracker 2dr SUV 4WD w/Soft Top
I bought this car for it's 4WD capacity. I live on a hill, and in snowy winters, it's great, and I love it. It's got 111,000 miles on it now, and the only real problems that I've had is with the wheel bearings giving out and the 4WD having some problems, but other than that, I'd purchase this car again in a heartbeat!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Great Rig!
HRalph, 02/10/2003
1999 Chevrolet Tracker 2dr SUV 4WD w/Soft Top
Was looking at a Kia Sportage. However,
during the test drive, found it rocked
forward and back on bumps. Saw a
2dr/5sp/conv tracker on the lot and
took it for a spin. No rocking there.
Have had it for 3.5 years and have had
no problems. Got the 1.6L and it does
great on gas-27mpg-and has enough power
to do what I need. Kids love the wind
blowing in their faces with the … top
down. Driven it off-road some, but
mostly as a run around car with some
highway. Had to get used to the high-
center in the wind. Went to
motorbooks.com for the right Haynes
manual as I could not find the correct
manual anywhere else.
1999 Tracker Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $195/month |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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