Geo Metro
first generation: 1989-1994 (USA models)
General Motors introduced the Geo Metro in 1989. (The Metro replaced the Chevrolet Sprint which had been built for GM by Suzuki in Japan.) The Metro was built in Canada in a joint venture between GM and Suzuk (except for the convertible models and the 1989 models, which were built in Japan). Suzuki offered the same body style under the Suzuki Swift label, but Swift models used a four-cylider (1.3 liter) version of the engine. Some Swift's were also turbocharged (as were some Canadian "Metros," labled Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly).
When first introduced in 1989, the Metro was offered in two versions: Metro LSi and Metro. In 1990 a third version was offered: the Metro gained the XFi designation, becoming the Metro XFi, the Metro LSi remained, and an intermediate model, called just Metro was added. A convertible version of the Metro LSi was also added in 1990.
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Comparison of Geo Metro models |
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Base |
Intermediate |
Luxury |
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Designation |
Metro (1989); Metro XFi (1990-1994) |
Metro (1990-1994) |
Metro LSi (1989-1994) |
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Body styles |
Two-door hatch-back only | Two-door hatch back & four-door hatch-back | Two-door hatch back, four-door hatch-back, & two-door convertible (1990-1993) |
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Engine |
Three-cylinder, 1.0 liter with special cam & fewer piston rings. | Three-cylinder, 1.0 liter | Three-cylinder, 1.0 liter |
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Transmission |
Manual only (different ratio) | Manual or automatic transmission | Manual or automatic transmission |
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VIN designation |
2C1MSxxxxxxxxxxxx (1990-1994) JC1MSxxxxxxxxxxxx (1989) | 2C1MRxxxxxxxxxxxx | 2C1MRxxxxxxxxxxxx (Canada) JC1MRxxxxxxxxxxxx (Japan) |
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Original EPA rating |
58 MPG hwy/43 MPG city | 48 MPG hwy/40
MPG city (manual) 39 MPG hwy/36 MPG city (automatic) |
48 MPG hwy/40
MPG city (manual) 39 MPG hwy/36 MPG city (automatic) |
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2008 EPA rating
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52 MPG hwy/43 MPG city | 44 MPG hwy/38
MPG city (manual) 35 MPG hwy/31 MPG city (automatic) |
44 MPG hwy/38
MPG city (manual) 35 MPG hwy/31 MPG city (automatic) |
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Identifying features |
All Black bumpers; recessed headlights | Black bumpers with top edge matching car color; recessed headlights | Bumpers all colored to match car; covered headlights (flush with hood); colored piping on seats (not all years). |
Metro XFi
In many people's opinion, the XFi (VIN MS) is the most desireable of the Metro models. This is due to it's excellent fuel economy, even beating today's hybrids. This excellent fuel economy (nearly 60 MPG highway at 60 MPH) was achieved by 1the use of a slightly diffent cam lobe shape, 2one less compression ring on the pistons, and 3a higher gear ration in the transaxle. (The XFi also used a different onboard computer, but it is said that the computer's only difference was showing the shift light at lower speeds.) There are many clues to an XFi's identity, but the ultimate identification is the "S" at the fifth position on the VIN...but, after twenty or so years there's been a lot of engine and transmission swaps done in these Metros, so they may not have the original engine or transmission.
| Commonly held misconceptions about Geo Metro XFi's | |
| Misconception | Clarification |
| 1. The Metro XFi never came with air conditioning. | 1. The sales literature do not show air conditioning as an option on the XFi; however, the GM parts book does show a dealer-installed option for air conditioning, and I have personally heard from people who brought a NEW XFi home from the dealership with air conditioning. |
| 2. The Metro XFi never had a tachometer, so any XFi with a tach has had the speedometer changed. | 2. The sales literature show a tachometer as optional equipment on the XFi--at least in some years. |
| 3. The Metro XFi did not come with a passenger-side mirror. | 3. The sales liturature show a right sideview mirror as an option, and in fact it appears by observation that more XFi's had them than didn't |