The Geo Storm was a rebadged version of the sporty, second generation Isuzu Impulse minus some of that car's more expensive features.

When Isuzu ceased building passenger cars in 1993 due to the effects of the crash of the Japanese Bubble Economy, the Isuzu-made Geo Storm was also discontinued with them.

[5] In 1992, the Storm was restyled to have a smoother front fascia without the pop-up headlight covers on earlier models.

The GSi version from these years cost considerably more ($13,645–14,560) but this price included a larger 1.8 L 140 hp (104 kW) engine.

Canada received the Storm in 1992; it was offered there in base trim and in up-level GSi "Sport Coupe" models (both available as liftbacks).

The Japanese were also offered the Geo Storm version of the Piazza, called the Yanase-Isuzu PA Nero, which was exclusive to Japanese dealerships called Yanase Co., Ltd. under special arrangement, a dealership that sold GM products in Japan.

"[6] When Road & Track compared ten sport compact cars they said the Storm had "the highest skidpad rating (0.85 g), sticks like pine tar to the autocross course, is second-quickest through the slalom and stops shorter from 80 mph (130 km/h) than many highly respected sports cars".

[10] Two different Geo Storm Celebrity Races[11] were held in 1991, the first on July 13 in Des Moines, Iowa, and the second on August 24 in Denver, Colorado.

[6] Kevin Smith of Car and Driver used phrases like "Planet Zarkon" and "space-capsulish" to describe the body, which he listed as one of the best and worst features of the Storm.

"[6] Automobile Magazine liked the handling, saying, "It's a delight to negotiate twisty...roads with its firm yet compliant suspension."