Orlando Sentinel's view

The Geo Tracker sport utility vehicle – built in Canada by General Motors and Suzuki – is a vehicle that must be approached with caution. It’s not as secure as an automobile in some driving conditions.

On a trip from West Palm Beach to Orlando, I got caught in a violent thunderstorm. I was nearly blown off the road.

But the small, Jeep-like vehicle is a blast to drive around town. It’s great for hauling small items and running errands. The convertible top flips open easily enough, and the spritely engine zips through city traffic with ease. In this environment, the Tracker proves its worth.

The Tracker would make an excellent second or third vehicle. However, if you do a lot of highway driving, you might want to consider another, sturdier type of sport utility vehicle. (A ChevyS-10 Blazer’s price is within a few hundred dollars of the Tracker.)

ENGINE, TRANSMISSION

Like so many other Japanese small-displacement four cylinders, the 1.6-liter, 80-horsepower Suzuki engine is as smooth as a sewing machine.

The test Tracker came with the standard five-speed manual transmission. A three-speed automatic is a $595 option, but it is not available in the two-wheel-drive convertible.

The five-speed shifted easily. The gear ratios are close, keeping the engine from lugging. I frequently shifted into fifth gear at 50 mph. The clutch is easy and smooth.

Performance is somewhat lackluster, but the Tracker and vehicles like it are not built for speed.

During the 383-mile round trip to West Palm Beach, the Tracker returned 31 miles per gallon. It is EPA rated at25 mpg city and 27 highway. I drove with the air conditioner blasting the whole way.

STEERING, HANDLING

You don’t usually buy a small all-terrain vehicle for a comfortable ride. So don’t be disappointed if you test drive a Tracker and find it rough. The suspension is firm, and because the vehicle has a short wheelbase, it steers and handles differently than a small car.

FIT, FINISH

The red test vehicle had a few rattles, and the wind hitting the area where the convertible top met the windshield header produced a roar at 65 mph. But remember that a good deal of the appeal of this type of vehicle is its rugged, sporty, outdoor image. Judged in that context, the Tracker has some qualities that are better than those of the other Jeep-like off-roaders.

The convertible top is easy to raise and lower. The windows roll up and down, and the interior trim details are nicely done. The test Tracker did not come with a tachometer, something that all four-cylinder vehicles should have.

There’s no question about it. The Geo Tracker is a fun vehicle – in the right environment.