Geo Prizm Interior Review
As with the exterior, the interior of the Prizm is an exercise in usefulness rather than stylishness. Even on a heavily loaded LSi, the instrument panel is simple and plain, consisting of a large oil temperature gauge, speedometer and fuel gauge, plus warning lights. A tachometer is optional.
The rotary dial knobs for climate control are large and easy to use. Lights, wipers and cruise control are stalk-mounted. Not so handy are the dual cupholders that pop out of the center console - they obscure the ashtray when in use.
A neutral interior color is new for 1995, as is an optional leather seating package for the LSi. The carpet and all interior fabrics are treated with Scotchgard fabric protector, as befits a family car that is vulnerable to numerous spills.
The seats are firm and supportive. Those accustomed to softer seats may find them uncomfortable, but we found them excellent over both short and long hauls. The whole interior feels spacious and has lots of elbow room. And the roomy, flat-bottomed trunk offers a generous 12.7 cu. ft. of storage.
There are many safety features on the Prizm, which is not surprising for a car in which two-thirds of the drivers are women, many of them with children. The seat belts and head restraints are height-adjustable, and the outboard seat belts have an automatic locking mode to permit the use of a child seat without a clumsy locking clip. Dual airbags are standard. And, new for +95, the horn has been redesigned so you can sound it by pushing anywhere on the steering wheel hub, even with the presence of the airbag.
Geo Prizm Road Test
The Toyota-built engines that drive the Prizm include a standard 1.6-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder delivering 105 hp at 5800 rpm and 100 lb.-ft. at 4800 rpm, and an optional 1.8-liter twin-cam delivering 115 hp and 115 lb.-ft. Both engines are phenomenally quiet and smooth, especially when idling. But unfortunately neither engine delivers much of a punch.
The ride, on the other hand, is smooth for a car in this class. The 4-wheel independent suspension on our test model managed bumps without spreading the news around.
The struts on the Prizm have been recalibrated to make the already-smooth ride even smoother. Cars fitted with the 1.8-liter engine have a rear stabilizer bar for flatter cornering.
The prizm's brakes are large for a compact (10.04 in. front and rear) and, complete with the optional ABS, provided excellent stopping during our test drive.
Our LSi's electronic 4-speed transmission was smooth, but we're sorry to report it wasn't geared for quick acceleration.
The most overwhelming impression we had after driving our Prizm is that it has such a quiet temperament, it sometimes comes across as a ghost car. With the whispering engine, low interior noise level, unobtrusive acceleration and effortless steering, the Prizm is the automotive equivalent of room-temperature water.
Those people who think of their car as basic transportation will be pleased with the prizm's stoic performance; those folks who prefer a bit of an edge to their driving experience might find this car's ghostly characteristics unsatisfying.
Geo Prizm Lineup