Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara

Suzuki Sidekick
Car classification	Compact car
Body style	2DR Sport Utility 4DR Sport Utility
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions	142.5" x 64.2" (2-door) 158.7" x 64.4" (4-door)
Wheelbase	86.6 (2-door) 97.6 (4-door)
Cylinders	4
Engine size	1.6 liters
Horsepower	80 (2-door only) 95 120 (1996-1998; 4-door only)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive (JS) 4-wheel drive (JX and JLX)
MPG	25/27 (2-door; 1994-1995) 23/26 (4-door; 1994-1995)

Suzuki's second SUV, the Sidekick, was positioned at the entry-level end of the compact sport/utility market, and designed to appeal to younger buyers who want sporty performance and economical operation. Key competitors included the nearly identical Geo Tracker, the Jeep Wrangler, the Isuzu Amigo and the Toyota RAV4.

The Sidekick was available with 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive and in 2-door softtop or 4-door hardtop versions. The 2-door models had two trim levels, the base JS and the upscale JX. The 4-door models offered the base JS, upscale JX and the top-of-the-line JLX.

Base 2-door models were powered by the sohc 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. JX models and the 4-door models received a more powerful 16-valve version of the engine. Power disc/drum brakes with rear-wheel ABS were standard equipment. The standard transmission was a 5-speed manual, but 2-door models had an optional 3-speed automatic and 4-door models were ordered with a 4-speed automatic.

Four-wheel-drive models featured a 2-speed manual-shift transfer case and automatic locking hubs for shift-on-the-fly 4wd operation.

Year-to-year changes

1995

For 1995, the Suzuki Sidekick benefited from a series of modest enhancements to each trim level. The bulk of the changes occurred in the 4-door top-of-the-line JLX models. They received new 6-spoke aluminum wheels, a permanent roof rack, soft spare-tire cover and a new spare-tire lock. Two-door Sidekicks featured an improved droptop that would be easier to remove (the front half could be folded back like a sunroof, or the entire top could be stowed for open-air driving).

Retail prices

• $11,449 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick JS 2DR)
• $12,849 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2DR 4WD)
• $13,099 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick JS 4DR)
• $14,409 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick JX 4DR 4WD)
• $15,819 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4DR 4WD)

As of late 1994:

• $11,699 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JS 2DR)
• $13,499 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2DR 4WD and JS 4DR)
• $14,809 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JX 4DR 4WD)
• $16,319 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4DR 4WD)

As of April 12, 1995:

• $11,849 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JS 2DR)
• $13,649 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2DR 4WD and JS 4DR)
• $14,959 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JX 4DR 4WD)
• $16,469 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4DR 4WD)

As of September 5, 1995:

• $12,899 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick JS 2DR)
• $14,399 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick JS 4DR)
• $14,669 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX 2DR 4WD)
• $15,999 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick JX 4DR 4WD)
• $17,999 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JX 4DR 4WD)
• $18,999 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX 4DR 4WD)

Shipping prices

• $320 (1993 Suzuki Sidekick 2DR)
• $330 (1993 Suzuki Sidekick 4DR and 1994 Suzuki Sidekick 2DR)
• $350 (1994 Suzuki Sidekick 4DR)
• $345 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick 2DR)
• $370 (1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4DR)
• $375 (1996 Suzuki Sidekick 2DR)
• $390 (1995-1996 Suzuki Sidekick except the 1996 2DR)

Weblinks

http://www.suzukiauto.com/98_line_up/veh_sidekicks.html

http://www.suzukiauto.com/98_line_up/veh_sport.html

Gallery

1995 Suzuki Sidekick (2-door model)

The 1995 Suzuki Sidekick with closed rooftop

1995 Suzuki Sidekick (4-door model)

Interior of the Suzuki Sidekick

1996-1997 Suzuki Sidekick (2-door model)

1996-1997 Suzuki Sidekick (4-door model)

1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport