1995 Geo Prizm A provider of quiet competence By Professional Test Driver, New Car Test Drive .com

Since its introduction in 1990, the Geo Prizm has been popular among those consumers looking for an affordable, modern compact car. The Prizm's redesign in 1993 improved its status: A frequent winner in best-value comparisons, the 1994 Prizm was rated best in class by AAA, Consumer Digest and Intellichoice, and was named an All-Star by Automobile magazine.

Perhaps even more important to a prospective buyer, the Prizm was at the top of its price category in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, and scored in the top 10 of all models in initial quality, as measured by that same study.

For 1995, the Prizm remains essentially unchanged, adding only fashionable new paint colors, improved interior fabrics and a new wheel-cover design. For its buyers - predominantly value-conscious families with kids - it remains on the shortlist of intelligently designed, high-quality transportation.

Our test model, the upscale LSi sedan, came with a number of features including anti-lock brakes (ABS), a 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, air conditioning, power door locks/mirrors/windows and cruise control, bringing a base price of around $12,000 up to a more sobering $15,655.