Acceleration with 80-horsepower engine is on the leisurely side, and the power boost in 1992 does not help much. The Sport model's larger engine finally offers acceptable performance. That 1.8-liter 4-cylinder works well with the 4-speed automatic transmission. A late-model wagon with manual shift averaged 25.3 mpg, though automatic dropped the figure to a so-so 21.4 mpg. However, even the latest Sidekick engines growl loudly under throttle. Wind and road noise are abundant at highway speeds, too. Reasonably stable in corners and on the highway, Sidekick suffers a somewhat stiff and jiggly ride on rough surfaces. Four-door models endure less choppiness, credited to their longer wheelbase, but they're not that much more comfortable overall. Tall and narrow, Sidekicks must be driven with care through turns. Sidekick's 4-wheel-drive system is not for use on dry pavement. Head room is plentiful up front, but the rear bench seat holds only two adults, for 4-passenger capacity. Worse yet, it's hard, with little leg space when the front seats are all the way aft--though space is adequate otherwise. In the Sidekick's narrow cabin, doors sit close to the seats, leaving little outside shoulder room. Cargo space is best in the 4-door, with its swing-open rear door and fold-down back seat.

Value for the Money
Though better than the tiny old Samurai, this is still not a good choice for everyday driving, even in 4-door form.