What was the last year they made the Chevy Tracker?
The last model year for the Chevrolet Tracker was 2004. In the United States, GM discontinued the Tracker after the 2004 model year, bringing an end to a badge‑engineered lineage that traced back to Suzuki’s Vitara/Sidekick platforms. In other markets, the Tracker name appeared under different GM badges for a few more years, but the Chevrolet badge faded from the lineup by the mid‑2000s.
A brief history of the Chevy Tracker
To understand when production stopped, it helps to review the Tracker’s lineage. The vehicle originated in the late 1980s as the Geo Tracker in North America, built on Suzuki mechanics. As GM phased out the Geo brand, the model lived on in the U.S. as the Chevrolet Tracker, continuing the same underlying platform until the end of the 2004 model year.
Markets and badge engineering
The Tracker badge traveled across GM’s global lineup, appearing in varying forms depending on region and brand strategy. The most familiar arc in the United States saw it first as a Geo product in the 1990s, then as a Chevrolet product from 1999 through 2004. In other regions, the same basic vehicle wore different GM badges or Suzuki branding, reflecting regional partnerships and market preferences.
Overview of how the Tracker appeared under GM brands by market and era.
- 1989–1998: Geo Tracker in North America (U.S./Canada) using Suzuki Vitara/Sidekick mechanics.
- 1999–2004: Chevrolet Tracker in the United States and Canada, continuing the badge-engineered Suzuki platform.
- Global footprint: In various markets, the same core SUV carried different badges with similar underpinnings through the mid‑2000s.
In sum, the Chevy Tracker’s era ended in the U.S. in 2004, with the badge gradually fading from GM’s global lineup around the same period.
Why the Tracker ended and what followed
GM’s decision to retire the Tracker was tied to shifting consumer tastes, competition from newer small crossovers, and the company’s broader realignment of its SUV lineup. The end of the Tracker did not mark a single dramatic replacement; instead, GM redirected attention toward other compact crossovers and SUVs that would fill the void in its portfolio.
What replaced it in GM’s lineup?
There was no direct one‑for‑one replacement for the Tracker. GM gradually steered buyers toward other small and compact utilities within its lineup, including crossovers that would later evolve into entries like the Chevrolet Equinox and related models. The Tracker’s niche faded as GM refocused its SUV strategy in the mid‑2000s.
Summary
The Chevy Tracker’s run effectively ended with the 2004 model year in the United States, reflecting a broader shift in GM’s small-SUV strategy during that era. While the underlying Suzuki-based platform persisted in other regions for a time under different branding, the Chevrolet badge was retired by the mid‑2000s, leaving the Tracker as a transitional chapter in GM’s SUV history.
Are Chevrolet Tracker and Trax the same?
In Russia and South America, the Trax was instead named the Chevrolet Tracker, which was the name used in North and Latin America from 1989 to 1991 and 1999 to 2008 for a Chevrolet/Geo version of the Suzuki Sidekick.
Is the Chevy Tracker discontinued?
On January 27, 2004, production of the Chevrolet Tracker was discontinued at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, and replaced with the Chevrolet Equinox.
What year is the best year for Chevy Trax?
The best Chevy Trax to buy is a 2024 or 2025 model, due to significant updates in design, space, safety features, and technology that make it a superior value compared to previous generations. These models offer a longer wheelbase for more cargo and legroom, a host of new safety features, and an updated, modern interior. While specific years may vary, the second-generation models from 2024 onwards are highly recommended for new buyers looking for the most features and improvements.
You can watch this video for a review of the 2025 Chevy Trax, highlighting its features and affordability: 51sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · May 25, 2024
Reasons to choose a 2024 or 2025 Trax
- Improved design and space: The 2024 model introduced a longer wheelbase, which translates to more legroom and cargo space compared to older generations.
- Updated technology: These models often come with standard technology like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and higher trims offer larger screens and other features.
- Advanced safety features: New safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are standard or available on these newer models, enhancing safety and driver confidence.
- Strong value: Despite the upgrades, the 2024 and 2025 models remain very affordable, with the 2025 model starting at a low price point.
Other model years
- Used Trax: If buying used, a model from 2020 or newer will have features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it won't have the advanced driver-assistance features found in the 2024 and newer models.
- Older models (pre-2020): These models are an option if budget is the primary concern, but they lack many of the modern features and safety tech available in later years.
This video provides a detailed walkthrough of the 2025 Trax's interior and design: 58sJosh on CarsYouTube · Apr 4, 2025
How much is the Chevy Tracker 2025?
Pricing starts at $21,895. Forget for the moment, if you can, that the 2025 Trax boasts one of the lowest starting prices among subcompact SUVs, and concentrate on its jam-packed standard features list and neck-snapping styling.
