Geo/Chevrolet Prizm

Geo/Chevrolet Prizm

Manufacturer	NUMMI
Also called	Geo Prizm (1990–1997) Chevrolet Prizm (1998–2002)
Production	1989–2002
Assembly	Fremont, California
Predecessor	Chevrolet Nova
Class	Compact
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM S platform (Toyota AE92, AE102 Platforms)

The Geo/Chevrolet Prizm (Chevrolet Prizm starting 1998) was a United States-market entry-level compact car produced for the 1989 through 2002 model years. Like the 1985–1988 Chevrolet Nova it replaced, the Prizm was a rebadged version of the Toyota Corolla. All Prizms were built at NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc), a joint venture company between Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, California.

First generation

First generation

Also called	Geo Prizm Toyota Sprinter Toyota Corolla Seca
Production	1989–1992
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Engine	1.6 L 4A-FE I4 1.6 L 4A-GE I4, 105 hp (78 kW) 1.6 L 4A-GE I4, 130 hp (97 kW)
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	95.7 in (2,431 mm)
Length	170.7 in (4,336 mm)
Width	65.2 in (1,656 mm)
Height	52.4 in (1,331 mm)
Related	Toyota Corolla Toyota Sprinter Toyota Celica Toyota Paseo Toyota Tercel Holden Nova

The Prizm was introduced in 1989 for GM's then-new Geo brand of import cars. The hatchback version sold through 1991 was a rebadged version of the Toyota Corolla Seca/Cielo. The sporty GSi model of 1990–1992 was notable for its 130 horsepower (97 kW) twin-cam engine, sport suspension, disc brakes, and 14-inch (360 mm) wheels, a successor to the 1988 Nova Twin Cam but less of a limited edition, available in both body styles and a full array of colors in contrast to the earlier model's black sedan only. In 1991, the lettering the car was changed from "Prizm" to "PRIZM" in italicized and capital letters (although the steering wheel continued to use "Prizm"), and the B-pillar and door frames on base models were now body-colored instead of black. In Canada, the Prizm was never sold, opting for the brand to sell the Geo Metro sedan instead. However, the Geo Metro sedan was first sold in the United States in 1995.

Geo Prizm hatchback

Toyota Sprinter Cielo

Second generation

Second generation

Also called	Geo Prizm
Production	1993–1997
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	1.6 L 4A-FE I4, 105 hp (78 kW) 1.8 L 7A-FE I4, 105–115 hp
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	97.0 in (2,464 mm)
Length	173.0 in (4,394 mm)
Width	66.3 in (1,684 mm)
Height	53.3 in (1,354 mm)
Related	Toyota Corolla (E100) Toyota Tercel Toyota Celica Toyota Paseo Toyota RAV4 Holden Nova

The Prizm's 1993 redesign gave it more room (resulting in an upgrade to United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ "compact" car status), a driver airbag, and a new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine optional on LSi trim. With the larger engine came a rear stabilizer bar, wider tires, and an optional automatic transmission with four speeds instead of three. A second airbag became standard in 1994; leather seats were an option on the LSi between 1994–1997. In contrast with the Corolla, this generation Prizm lacked a front stabilizer bar in its suspension.

Third generation

Third generation

Also called	Chevrolet Prizm Toyota Corolla (E110)
Production	1998–2002
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4, 120–125 hp
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	97.1 in (2,466 mm)
Length	174.2 in (4,425 mm)
Width	66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height	53.7 in (1,364 mm)
Related	Toyota Corolla Toyota Celica Toyota RAV4 Toyota Paseo Toyota Tercel

The Prizm's 1998 redesign coincided with the conversion of all Geos into Chevrolets. The most notable change was the new 1.8-liter engine, which was now all-aluminum, driven by a timing chain (instead of a belt), and featured more power (yet the same fuel economy) than the engines from the Geo years. The new all-aluminum 1ZZ-FE engine powered all Corollas and Prizms, making this generation lighter than its predecessor. This new engine incorporated laser etched valve guides directly in the block, rather than the old shrink to fit valve guides in the predecessor Corolla motor (4A-FE & 7A-FE). This prevented oil burning and valve guide failure in the future. The Prizm with the Corolla became the first cars in the compact class to offer optional side airbags. 1998 Prizms without the LSi's optional "Handling Package" (containing a front stabilizer bar) were singled out by Consumer Reports for having sloppy emergency handling; Toyota addressed the problem for 1999 by making the Handling Package standard. For 2000, the engine gained variable valve timing for five extra horsepower (to 125). The last Prizm was built on December 13, 2001, resulting in a brief 2002 model year.

Due to decreased sales, low popularity, and being in competition with the also compact Chevrolet Cavalier and GM's more direct competitor to the Corolla the Saturn S-series, the Prizm was replaced by the Pontiac Vibe starting in 2003. The Vibe was also made in tandem with a Toyota model, the Toyota Matrix, at the NUMMI plant.

In any generation, the Prizm's distinctions over its Toyota twin mostly came down to minor cosmetic differences, a GM Delco radio (except on first-generation cars), and the non-availability of a wagon (and the availability of a hatchback early on).

The Prizm along with its Geo siblings suffered severe sales loss when the brand denomination changed from Geo to Chevrolet in 1998. The Geo models outsold the rebadged Chevrolets 3 to 1.

Engines

All Prizms were powered by the same engine as the then present Toyota Corolla models.

• 1990–1992 Geo Prizms were powered by the 4A-FE or optional 4A-GE engine.
• 1993–1997 Geo Prizms were powered by the 4A-FE or optional 7A-FE engine.
• 1998–2002 Chevy Prizms were equipped with Toyota's 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4 engine; 2000–2002 models included VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) technology.

External links

• Corolland.com