4x4 2-Door

I own a 1992 Suzuki Sidekick JLX 4x4 2-door with soft top and the optional hard top. This is essentially the same as the Geo Tracker and Asuna Sundance. The main differences between them will be in trim levels and interior/exterior appointments. I believe they are all made (assembled?) in Canada. I've owned the vehicle since September 1992 and I am generally very happy with it.

So far I have only had some minor trim related problems and a noisy speedometer that was replaced.

--Bob Erkamp

Pros

Cons

• ABS (rear wheels only, you must be in 2WD)
• Good visibility
• Plenty of head room
• Decent mileage (I'm averaging about 28 MPG)
• Shift on the fly 4WD
• Good ground clearance
• Fun to drive
• Convertible
• 4x4

• Limited fuel capacity (approximately 200 miles)
• Limited storage with 4 occupants
• Limited power for highway use
• Very susceptible to cross-winds at highway speeds
• No significant mileage improvement at highway speeds (poor aerodynamics)

Things to note:

• I would recommend the optional hard top if you live in a climate where the temperature goes below freezing. I have seen many of the soft tops around here that are cracked/torn or have holes in them, though this may not be weather related.
• This vehicle is available in two wheel drive.
• The 2-door has a 80HP 8-valve engine while the 4-door is a 95HP 16-valve engine. Both are fuel injected. The reviews I've seen claim the smaller engine has better low end torque.
• You can get either manual or auto-locking hubs for 4WD. The general consensus I've heard is to not waste your time with the auto-locking hubs. If you are in an area that gets snow you can just lock up the hubs when the snow starts to fly and unlock them come spring. I averaged about 26mpg with the hubs locked.
• This is not a sports car! Due to the high center of gravity you will need to develop correct turning procedures (slow down before entering a turn). Also just because it's a 4X4 doesn't mean it stops better or turns better.
• Some people may find the short wheel-base and associated bumpy ride not to their liking. This vehicle is OK for highway use but tends to lose it on extended grades. Road noise may be bothersome at highway speeds. If you are serious about purchasing this vehicle make arrangements with the dealer for taking an extended test drive (day or weekend) preferably with the same top (soft/hard) and interior trim (some have interior panels, some have bare metal) as this will affect the amount of road noise.
• There seems to be quite a variation in interior trim. The JLX is the top of the line in the Suzuki range and comes with aluminum rims, color matched trim, bronzed glass (and plastic on the soft top), AM/FM cassette, cruise control, tilt steering, power windows, locks (not the tailgate though) and mirrors as well as map lights and a full console and interior door panels. Air conditioning is optional. The front seats on the Tracker appear to be different than the Suzuki. Mine have adjustable/removable head rests that allow the seats to recline totally and make some form of a bed (you'll need to be on the short side) while the Trackers I've seen have one piece seat-backs. Also the Trackers appear to have bench rear seats where as mine has separate reclining rear seats.
• In Canada, the Sidekick won the 4x4 of the year for '92 (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada - AJAC…unfortunately I don't know what the competition was) and Suzuki is #2 behind Honda for customer satisfaction.