Used 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
Pros & Cons
- Cute, cuddly, and surprisingly capable mini-ute is great for around-town cruising or a jaunt to the lake.
- Underpowered engines make the Sidekick breathe hard when climbing hills.
Edmunds' Expert Review
Vehicle overview
Even folks who find it easy to fault small sport-utes run the risk of falling for a Sidekick--especially the convertible model. Neither a true truck nor a car, this mini SUV has created a niche that other manufacturers are rushing to capitalize on. The Chevrolet Tracker is basically identical, and the Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester are new competitors. Toyota introduced the RAV4 to do battle with the Sidekick, and Honda brought their CR-V over from Japan to do the same. Suzuki aims the Sidekick squarely at teens and 20-somethings, but older adventurers are likely to find it irresistible, too.
The Sidekick is available in two body styles and two series totaling three trim levels. Basic Sidekicks come with a frisky 16-valve, 95-horsepower engine in JS or JX trim. The JS is a two-wheel drive runabout; the JX is a four-wheel drive mountain goat. Convertible and four-door Hardtop models are available. Or you can opt for the Sport model, which is offered only with the four-door body style in JX, JS and JLX trim. Hallmarks of the Sport include a larger, more powerful twin-cam engine good for 120 horsepower, and a track that has been increased by two inches for increased stability and response. Sixteen-inch tires and wheels and a shiny grille set the Sport model even further apart from garden-variety Sidekicks.
Four-wheel antilock brakes are optional on Sidekick; standard on Sidekick Sport. Exclusive to the Sport is a 100-watt Alpine stereo system, cruise control (on the JLX only), security alarm system, power windows and locks, split-fold rear seat, remote fuel door release, cloth door trim, power remote mirrors, rear window wiper/washer and overhead map lights. The Sport also gets unique paint colors from which to select.
Frankly, we think that the plain-Jane base Sidekick is the best-looking vehicle. The two-tone paint and chrome-ringed grille make the Sidekick look like a little freckle-faced kid wearing an Armani suit. The monochromatic look of the base model, combined with the Sport's engine and track width, would be a hot setup -- too bad Suzuki doesn't see it that way.
1998 Highlights
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
Sponsored cars related to the Sidekick
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick.
Trending topics in reviews
- maintenance & parts
- value
- fuel efficiency
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- off-roading
- driving experience
- acceleration
- warranty
- transmission
- road noise
- wheels & tires
- ride quality
- doors
- towing
- spaciousness
- appearance
- engine
- interior
- climate control
- safety
- comfort
- emission system
Most helpful consumer reviews
I originally bought my Sidekick to save some gas... But I have been driving it so much that I have not saved a dime yet.....! It is a fun, little nimble beast. It has a choppy ride on the road but, the 1.6 is peppy with the 5spd. Not a lot of critter comforts but the utility side is amazing. I fish a lot and the 4x4 , good ground clearance and it's small size allow me and my little boat to go places no one else can go. Stay away from the interstate with this guy, it's like riding a motorcycle out there. A great little car, manly enough to be seen in and is well made and tough... No repairs yet but I don't think it will be a problem thus far..... Don't be scared of the sidekick!
I can't tell you how happy I've been with my Sidekick. It has 98,000 miles on it and still starts right up! My car performance has always exceeded my highest expectations. I feel secure knowing that I have AWD whenever the need arises. This feature has pulled me out of my driveway even after the plow trucks have blocked the end of the driveway with massive piles of snow. Now that my daughter has her license, she has taken over driving the car. I know the Suzuki will give her many more years of excellent performance.
I bought my Suzuki when it was 2 years old and it had just under 25000 miles on it. I now have 120,000 miles on it after about 6 1/2 years of driving. I have had few problems with it. This vehicle is very bad for rust and doesn't hold up well in places where salt is used on roads in the winter!!! They have NO resale value and Dealer parts are ridiculously expensive! You think that you are driving a Rolls when you buy parts. I am not kidding!!! They need to stop being so outrageously greedy when selling replacement parts. I went to the dealer once for a repair and told them I would never come back. I didn't. I shopped for after market parts where ever I could find them.
THE SUZUKI SIDEKICK HAS THE FEEL OF AN OPEN AND ROOMY PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.THE RIDE IS NIMBLE ON BACK COUNTRY ROADS AND SMOOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE 1.8L L4 MFI DOHC 16V ENGINE COULD USE A LITTLE MORE PEP BUT MAKES FOR GOOD FUEL MILEAGE.
Features & Specs
| N/A N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 21 city / 24 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 95 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| N/A N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 20 city / 23 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 120 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| N/A N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 20 city / 23 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 120 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| N/A N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 20 city / 23 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 120 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Not Tested |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Not Tested |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Not Tested |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | 0 |
FAQ
Is the Suzuki Sidekick a good car?
Is the Suzuki Sidekick reliable?
Is the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick a good car?
How much should I pay for a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick?
The least-expensive 1998 Suzuki Sidekick is the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick JX SE 2dr SUV 4WD. Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $0.
Other versions include:
What are the different models of Suzuki Sidekick?
More about the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
Used 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Overview
The Used 1998 Suzuki Sidekick is offered in the following submodels: Sidekick SUV. Available styles include JS 2dr SUV w/Soft Top, Sport JX 4dr SUV 4WD, Sport JLX 4dr SUV 4WD, Sport JS 4dr SUV, JX FLT 4dr SUV 4WD, JX 2dr SUV 4WD w/Soft Top, JX 4dr SUV 4WD, JS 4dr SUV, Sport JX SE 4dr SUV 4WD, and JX SE 2dr SUV 4WD.
What do people think of the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 1998 Sidekick 4.1 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 1998 Sidekick.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1998 Sidekick featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 1998 Suzuki Sidekick?
Which 1998 Suzuki Sidekicks are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1998 Suzuki Sidekick for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick.
Can't find a new 1998 Suzuki Sidekicks you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Suzuki Sidekick for sale - 7 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $14,485.
Find a new Suzuki for sale - 6 great deals out of 16 listings starting at $12,037.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Suzuki lease specials