In 1985, Chevy released a brand new compact car in the US market that they called the Chevy Spectrum which was a badge-engineered version of the Isuzu I-Mark and related to the Geo Storm. It was distinguished by the unique wide front grille with square grid openings and large, square, sealed beam headlights with front side marker lights that were located on the sides of the front bumper. It was offered in two trims: 2-Door Hatchback; 4-Door Sedan. Both were powered by the Isuzu's 1.5 liter Inline four cylinder engine rated at 70 horsepower. This front wheel drive was offered in 3 speed automatic; 4 speed manual; 5 speed manual with standard steel wheel size of 13x4.5in.

In the 1987 and 1988 model, the Spectrum was redesigned with aerodynamic style headlights, fake driving lights, and a narrower slit opening grille with a large smooth above the slit. The side marker lights were eliminated and replaced with triangular corner marker lamps next to the aerodynamic style headlamps.

In 1989 the Chevy Spectrum was redesigned once more with the fake fog lamps removed and grille widened to a large rectangle with two cross bars. Transmission was still the same as from its first year. The engine was also unchanged as well as the front wheel drive train. 1989 was also the last year of the Spectrum wearing the Chevy nameplate. In this year, same Spectrum was also made available in the Geo line up but was only sold for one year.

In 1990, both the Chevy Spectrum and the Geo Spectrum were removed from the market. They were replaced by the Geo Prizm which eventually became Chevy Prizm which, like the Spectrum, never lasted in the market.