1990-1998 Suzuki Sidekick: Year-to-Year Changes
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1998 Suzuki Sidekick. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1998 Suzuki Sidekick.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Suzuki Sidekick:
A 4-door hardtop Sidekick arrived in '91, joining the soft-top 2-door models. Riding a wheelbase 11 inches longer than the 2-door's, bodies measured 16 inches longer overall. Four-door Sidekicks came in base JX and upscale JLX trim. All 4-door models used the 80-horsepower engine with a standard 5-speed manual gearbox, on-demand 4-wheel drive, and new antilock rear brakes. A 2-place folding rear seat was standard on the JLX and optional on the JX.
1992 Suzuki Sidekick:
Four-door Sidekicks earned a power boost, adopting a 95-horsepower engine with dual-overhead camshafts. The midlevel JL 4WD convertible was dropped, leaving only two 2-door models, with the 80-horsepower engine. Equipped with 4-wheel drive and new automatic-locking front hubs, 4-door Sidekicks came in JX or top-line JLX trim. A 2-wheel-drive JS 4-door arrived during the 1992 model year. A 4-speed automatic transmission now was installed in 4-door models as an option, but the 3-speed unit hung on for 4WD 2-doors.
1993 Suzuki Sidekick:
Except for a few trim changes, Sidekicks showed no appreciable change for 1993.
1994 Suzuki Sidekick:
Sidekicks gained an antitheft alarm, tilt steering column, and center high-mounted stoplamp.
1995 Suzuki Sidekick:
Two-door JX convertibles got the 95-horsepower engine this year. All two-doors gained a new convertible top with zip-out plastic side windows.
1996 Suzuki Sidekick:
Sidekicks added dual airbags in 1996, with 4-wheel antilock braking a new option. The new Sidekick Sport got a more potent engine: a 1.8-liter, making 120 horsepower. All other Sidekicks held the 95-horsepower engine. Offered in JX and JLX trim, Sport models had a longer nose, fender flares, 2-tone paint, 16-inch tires (instead of 14s), and a wider stance. Four-wheel antilock brakes that worked in both 2WD and 4WD joined the option list.
1997 Suzuki Sidekick:
A new price-leader 2-wheel-drive JX Sport wagon joined the lineup. Automatic-locking front hubs were standard on the Sport JLX; other models had manual-locking hubs.
1998 Suzuki Sidekick:
No changes were made for '98 in anticipation of an all-new '99 Sidekick, which would be called the Vitara.
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