1991 Suzuki Sidekick JLX | Retro Review

How many of you miss boxy shaped small SUV's with sharp lines? This Sidekick JLX checked off all the boxes before most people even knew what a small SUV was.
Show 1045 | Originally Aired 08-03-1991
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[@parsons79]

Truly retro when the interior tester is wearing the old Andre Agassi Nike sneakers….

[@GeeEm1313]

They've been retroed a few times in the 2010s. I wish I kept my pair.

[@onelapvideo]

LOL - I totally had a pair of those back then when I was in high school

[@93sundance]

Motorweek staff : Are you guys testing the strength of the shift linkage? Every test with a manual trans it looks like your trying to rip the shifter out of the floor.

[@777jones]

The staff were found at a maniac asylum.

[@JoseTorres-cs6iv]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jamesbyun8571]

I was thinking the same thing. 😂

[@carlasghost656]

Someone must be punished for the lack of a voltage and oil pressure gauge!

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@jamesbyun8571 Very beautiful and nice the Suzuki Sidecick

[@StewartLucrative]

These compact SUVs used to be commonplace, but with as big as SUVs have grown, they seem so quaint now. Looking back I actually really like the styling of Suzuki sidekicks.

[@bghoody5665]

Suzuki still makes a small SUV called the Jimny although it's not available in North America.

[@8.4V10]

@@bghoody5665 the XL-7 was small but big at the same time I love those

[@Poopsticle_256]

@@bghoody5665It is available in North America, just not the US and Canada

[@lickmyfart]

I bought one of these for $650 and it was the best deal I’ve ever gotten in a car. Gave me zero problems whatsoever. Someone t-boned it though RIP

[@jrawlins5246]

How many lives where lost in that collision?

[@lickmyfart]

@@jrawlins5246 None! Only the car lost it's life thankfully

[@tkewrestler2662]

I can’t imagine how slow it would be with an automatic, full load of passengers, and air conditioning on during the summer.

[@basshead.]

Still faster than a mountain bicycle.

[@tkewrestler2662]

@@basshead. but just barely… 😂

[@PolishJoe1000]

Life must've moved at a slower pace back then. And this thing moved even slower than that.

[@georgesawtooth2214]

Probably faster than my 2019 Tacoma with the 3.5L....most sluggish thing I've ever owned.

[@DoubleSmackJacksSmackAttack]

I've got a two door with a manual and to keep up with even the most basic of crossovers and SUVs you pretty much have to treat the accelerator as an on/off switch!

[@briteidea08]

Back in 90 something. My friends parents had one of these as a second vehicle. He was using it while his truck was in the shop. We went from Rosewood Hospital to Crondall lane through some path that went between the two. I was really impressed by the capability of this little vehicle. Had it buried up to the hubs. There was mud caked in the wheels. But it kept on going without missing a beat. Good times in Owings Mills then.

[@judethaddaeus9742]

I miss Suzuki. These basic, tinny off-roaders were more clever than they were given credit for, and they stand in stark contrast to today’s bloated, overstyled, and over-engineered crossovers. But I’d take the newer stuff in an accident any day.

[@jaxandmore440]

I never paid the Sidekick/Tracker much attention when they were new, but I remember my neighbor buying a new 2-door soft-top Tracker in '94 in a horrible bubblegum purple color. She loved it. Now that these vehicles are long gone, I have a fondness for them and a time when vehicles were simpler and easier to work on. Often cheaper to repair as a result too. As far as being incredibly slow, 0-60 times over 10sec was commonplace in the early 90s. If anything, it encouraged defensive driving.

[@kevinW826]

One of my mothers former coworker in the 90s had a two door tracker. He used it for his newspaper route and for the occasional drive to work. His was the automatic.

[@postmodernrecycler]

The Tracker was always driven by a Stacy or your cool aunt, had the graphics package, a scrunchie on the shifter, and a gym bag in the back "seat" full of hairspray and Expose and Roxette cassettes.

[@JohnDrivesAnything]

I just turned 40 and recently picked up a 2 door tin top. In High School I also paid no attention to these and wanted a C5 Corvette. Never thought I would own a Tracker. I'm late to the party but I made it!

[@CarnutMM]

Wish Suzuki would return to sell their Jimny here in the US.

[@jeremyb456]

Suzuki was the one that started the hole small SUV in north Amercia it wasn't tell 1995 toyota came out with the rav 4. I had many suzuki's from the samuri to the suzuki x-90 I also had 3 Geo metros that was built by suzuki. Sad to see them gone now here I wish they would come back sometime soon

[@sunilayya8948]

Suzuki has been doing well as a company and they have earned a very high reputation for reliability and value for money. Hope they consider re-entering the US since they make great small suvs.

[@sunilayya8948]

Consumer reports killed off suzuki and it was later found to be false and wilfully biased reporting . Suzuki sued CR and got a settlement but the damage was irreparable .

[@Existentialcrisis_1488]

Yep 😢

[@onelapvideo]

As well as the Isuzu Trooper. Sad times.

[@nlpnt]

I remember the 4 door Sidekick being fairly trendy for a couple years with the sort of people who moved on to the first RAV4s and CR-Vs which dispensed with the clunky live axles and space-robbing ladder frame (and a lot of off-road capability buyers weren't using anyway) in favor of 4-wheel IFS and a unibody that offered a driving position with minivan floor-to-ceiling height, without the minivan image.

[@kevinhawthorne5257]

Thank You for all of your videos that you did. I am enjoying all of them

[@lolnothing9414]

Love these retro reviews

[@pondmonserfox]

I learned to drive in a 1989 Sidekick 5 speed 2door. It was a great car to learn to drive stick in because of the positive gear engagement and the low-range box, it made learning how to use a clutch a breeze.

[@davidlittle5485]

Wish it was 1991 Again,freshly graduated outta of high school ,first summer job ,what a nice summer that was

[@tomdiodati5028]

You’ve got to remember in 1991 people were just learning what a SUV was. I was relatively young and wanted a 4 wheel drive vehicle that was within my budget. I ended up buying a ‘91 Sidekick new for about 13K. I actually found it to be a fairly decent vehicle in 2 wheel drive. Of course I was single and did most of the traveling in it by myself. My biggest complaint was when I put it into 4 wheel drive. You had to stop and lock the hubs by hand. To take it out of 4 wheel drive you had to stop and unlock the hubs then back up 20-30 feet. Since there was no differential between the front and rear axles you had to be careful about running in 4 wheel on dry pavement. I drove between Syracuse and Utica, NY on I90 for work which was subject to heavy lake effect bands. You could start off on dry pavement in sunshine then 20 miles later be in heavy snow where you wanted to be in 4 wheel drive. What do you do, try to make it to the next rest area to stop and lock the hubs or stop on the shoulder with semis doing 70 flying past you? I replaced the Sidekick with a ‘98 Isuzu Rodeo that had a push button to go into 4 wheel under, I think, 60. I actually think the Sidekick was better in snow than the Rodeo.

[@kitanyaedward6722]

Should've got a suzuki sx4

[@alvasingh8054]

Good vehicles they're all in Jamaica here , sidekick , go tracker vitara, a friend of mine had a samuri 89 model and four of us went up a steep dirt rocky hill one day in it without engaging 4wd I was surprised it did it with ease , that's when I really rated them there are plenty Suzuki vehicles of all sizes and models in Jamaica here .

[@brantisonfire]

The fact that the tires fill the wheel wells nicely, I’m assuming these are 225 or 235, really contribute to the off road look. Or maybe I’m overestimating the vehicles size and they’re 215. It’s no surprise these retro reviews really give these vehicles a place to shine. Most of us now see a lot of these as beaters or broken down on the side of the highway, or in junkyards.

[@feliciaw4710]

My mom had this same exact one and I absolutely loved it!!

[@bghoody5665]

I had a friend who had one of these - I thought it was hilarious how he had to hop out to lock the hubs whenever he wanted 4x4. But it was pretty useful when the snow started flying.

[@CarnutMM]

That is the reason for the decent gas mileage. Manual locking hubs were more reliable than automatic and put less wear than non disconnecting vehicles.

[@WOWDOWN]

My first car was a Grey 1994 Suzuki sidekick JLX. That car got me through high school and college. Only had to replace the starter and do oil changes and brakes and tires. Bought it for 800 bucks, unfortunately a lady ran a red light dented the front fender and state farm declared it totaled gave me $1900. I fixed the headlight did a brake and lamp inspection drove it another two years than sold it for $1500 bucks after I bought a 2006 Toyota Sequoia 4wd in June 2020 to car camp during the pandemic. That Suzuki served me well! Hope retro reviews does a review on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia some day. It has the million mile 4.7 v8 and it is a lovely vehicle!

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

I've seen lots of these as a kid!

[@keithbraddehmann320]

My mom had one of these as a lease back in 1995. I swear a turtle could have climbed Mt. Everest quicker than that thing got to 60mph, but it would go absolutely anywhere. I really liked it!

[@Existentialcrisis_1488]

I do hope someday Suzuki returns to NA. I grew up in many Suzuki’s my dad. The original XL7, the tracker and the Grand vitara. They are very reliable, cheap, and charming vehicles that are kinda quirky which I think makes them interesting. Own a 2010 GV 3.2 V6 myself and it’s bullet proof, only do oil changes never any issues.

[@JK061996]

My great uncle had a 2dr tin top with the 1.6 engine. This and the following generation were very popular in my area.

[@SgtSnazzerino]

My mom had one of these! It was a manual! I miss it sometimes..

[@acemobile9806]

My mom is 70 & STILL has hers! It's a '97 JX with air & still runs like a new one. She refuses to give it up. Suzuki as a whole put out great vehicles at the time, sensible solid engineering.

[@SgtSnazzerino]

@@acemobile9806 she must live on the west coast because there came a point where we couldn't get it to pass inspection with all the rust.. :(

[@acemobile9806]

@@SgtSnazzerino the Zuke was originally from New Mexico, now residing on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The frame & body are perfect other than a couple of small dents. I'd love to restore it someday. I feel for you guys living in the salty stuff, been there before myself. I was a Delta employee, worked at JFK airport for a few years & practically ruined a pristine F350 I used to have in no time.

[@SgtSnazzerino]

@@acemobile9806 Yeah but I bet those old Fords don't rust nearly as fast as the two 90's Hondas I own!

[@johnnymason2460]

The 95hp version would be better! I would look for the Sidekick Sport 4-door! It has 120hp(more than enough for daily transportation)!

[@jeepguy95]

Really great vehicles to have fun in... sure it's no Jeep, but it's definitely an awesome vehicle.

[@DoubleSmackJacksSmackAttack]

I've got a 93 2wd convertible with the 5speed stick and with the AC off it is surprisingly plucky around town. Although there's not much truck to move. I can't imagine how the 4 door with an automatic would keep up with today's traffic! My fuel economy numbers are right in the money with about 24 mpg average.

[@homoerotic85]

80HP and 23/25MPG LOL I have to say I sorta liked the dash in it. It would be fun if it had double the HP.

[@yuriypodgorniak2728]

I used to own one of those but two-door five speed excellent SUV

[@joskjj3625]

Back when suvs were actually 4x4 and off-road capable

[@Tbolt1000TForLife]

Back when they were real suvs with a frame and not unibody crossover garbage.

[@acemobile9806]

My mom still has her '97 JX & at 70 years old she refuses to give it up. I just wish interior parts & exterior trim pieces were easier to find. It's still an excellent car & I never have to touch it other than normal PM.

[@blindstudios1082]

I bought mines 3 months ago at 64000 original miles. It’s lifted with engine upgrades. Super fun vehicle. If it gets messed up it alright. It was dirt cheap

[@fernandorocha8459]

Suzuki Sidekick is nice and beautiful SUV from 1991

[@estebanamador7601]

A lot of them in my country. They were imported used from US, and they continue working in really hard places (off road), by the way, they are really reliable cars. They're popular when people want a capable, and affordable 4x4 with good fuel economy (my father in law has 2 of them, a 2 door and a 4 door). Oh, and a used one in excellent condition could cost 6000 US dollars, why? Because it's the only affordable small real 4x4 in my country (with the Jimny, but all of them are 2 doors). Greetings, great review.

[@armandomasis]

Costa Rica?

[@jeepthing98]

Let's play "what country is Esteban from?" Since he didnt think that information would be helpful here.

[@estebanamador7601]

@@armandomasis correcto 🤣🤣

[@estebanamador7601]

@@jeepthing98 Costa Rica, sorry 😁😁

[@Perich29]

I've driven one of these Sidekick, it was my instructor car it says student driver on it, that's how I got my driver's license to drive back in 2002.

[@sannissansanjuan5074]

This Was the Real First Mini 4 door SUV long before CRV & RAV 4

[@basshead.]

Nope. The Lada Niva came out it in 1977.

[@nlpnt]

@@basshead. Suzuki 4x4s predated that too. And I had heard the Niva was launched in 1979 although the Russians tended to have a long lag time between when a new model was first announced and exhibited and when the first buyers got delivery.

[@sannissansanjuan5074]

​@@basshead. Dude Lada Niva was really a 2 door jack up car hatch back not Available in the US, The Sidekick 4 door was the Real Compact SUV a small Montero

[@A_Cowboy_called_JackRabbit]

@@sannissansanjuan5074 it was not a Montero at all, though.

[@MountainSalsa]

Ty

[@rightlanehog3151]

Am I the only one who thinks Suzuki might still be here if GM had not insisted upon selling re-badged Daewoo rubbish under the Suzuki name?

[@jaxandmore440]

What models were rebadged Daewoo under the Suzuki name? I wasn't even aware they did that. I know they used Suzuki and Daewoo models rebadged as Geo and Chevy though.

[@parsons79]

@@jaxandmore440 The Forenza was a rebadged Daewoo I remember

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@parsons79 The last Swift as well.

[@leumamk5259]

GM and Fiat were definitely Suzuki's killers. Suzuki was a good and reliable japanese make, to be honest. Models like Forza, Samurai and Grand Vitara were relly good.

[@landyachtfan79]

So um.........what happened to the Festiva Retro Review? Could you please re-upload that, along with the VW Fox from that same episode?!!

[@runoflife87]

AKA Vitara/Mazda Proceed Levante. Very good SUV for its price.

[@nessuno5403]

Escudo in Japan

[@ivanrembong8885]

This is the cars that we can relate, because it's quite popular in Indonesia back in the 90s 😁👍

[@1111EKA]

It was popular in Thailand too and still is among the off-roading crowd.

[@ivanrembong8885]

@@1111EKA yess 😁👍

[@acemobile9806]

My mom has a '97 & one day while having a yard sale, a guy rolls up. He has a fit over the Sidekick & offers to buy it on the spot, wants to import it back to Africa. He said they're highly desirable & capable. He offered $4K but she wouldn't budge & quite frankly it would be hard to replace at any price. I never work on that car other than normal PM, much more than I can say for most of the new junk made nowadays 🙄

[@arevee9429]

Too bad Suzuki left the US. Their SX4 wagon was quite nice and I'm in the minority that actually liked the Swift / Metro twins. At least in hatchback form . . .

[@yuriypodgorniak2728]

I used to have same but two-door 5-speed 😎😎😎👍

[@cadillacdevile]

Made for senior high students. . . and it did well

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😀

[@Cristobal_Ygnacio_Arriaga]

In my country this where rebadged as Chevrolet’s Vitara and the 2 doors would later become the Jimny

[@thewiseguy3529]

I have one with the G16B (16V) 🤗

[@briangleeson1528]

I'm pretty sure my 93 Accord had the same 1/4 mile time.

[@jrawlins5246]

So did my '82 Chevette...turd brown.

[@kitanyaedward6722]

Escuedo 🔥

[@mvl85lvm]

Slamming into gears-test😆

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Ypu can still see them on the road 🥳🥳

[@christianmontesino171]

I have one 😂

[@Hotlog69]

I prefer it's Japanese name, Escudo! Especially when doing the Pikes Peak race.

[@nessuno5403]

@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 and Oceania

[@leumamk5259]

@@nessuno5403 In Puerto Rico it was sold under the names Suzuki Sidekick, Suzuki Vitara and Chevrolet Tracker

[@GKMess42]

Wish a manufacturer would bring back a basic vehicle with a manual transmission, and affordable cost, like this.

[@leonardoantonio8756]

Nice MPG for a SUV of that time

[@DavidAndre657]

EPA MILEAGE: 23 CITY 25 HIGHWAY

[@DDM7406]

Lol. 2:26 it barely passed that jogger

[@DavidAndre657]

TEST MILEAGE: 24 MPG

[@marcelloribeiro2750]

One of the first SUV?

[@brenthatesashley]

No

[@timswanson2431]

It kinda reminds of the Kia Soul in terms of how boxy it is from the side, but Suzuki never found the same success. To be fair, this was before the SUV craze hit. It's all about timing and marketing.

[@nessuno5403]

This was successful in many parts of the world

[@thewiseguy3529]

Lol you really don't know what you're saying. Escudo, Vitara was #1 in the world. They were even used as law enforcement vehicles in the Bahamas, Philippines, Australia and many other places.

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

A Quick Look

[@kostadinkostadinov2510]

No lack of love

[@joec1774]

15 seconds to 60 with a manual.. brutal

[@DavidAndre657]

1991 Suzuki Sidekick JLX | Retro Review

[@jeepthing98]

Thanks so much for commenting this. I would have had no idea what I was watching otherwise.

[@TheLuisg92]

Probably the best affordable 4x4 ever made, but the hard suspension and the clunky transmission (both manual and auto) spoiled the experience.

[@DavidAndre657]

SUZUKI SIDEKICK 4-DOOR.

[@larss.8655]

Suziki Vitara in Germany

[@cliffordbruber2791]

A 15 second 0-60, and a quarter mile in 20 seconds at 67 miles per hour, make the Sidekick perfect for a snail race.

[@pl5624]

Replaced by the grand Viagra...err vitara

[@mjgillespie91]

Known as a vitara in Europe

[@nessuno5403]

Not just in Europe, but in Oceania etc too. In Japan, the Escudo.

[@SantanKGhey1234]

slowest sport utility? what about slowest on the planet. . i cant imagine driving this with a full load and passengers

[@davidpistek6241]

The only good one was the pikes peak escudo

[@rubenrivaslopez5714]

Please Nissan Pathfinder 1993 or 1994,.

[@regalgs51]

Wowwww, that thing is that big and only comes with 80 horsepower?!

[@PhillyDee215]

That was a cool jeep tho🤔

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

In today’s dollars these would start at roughly 24k dollars. An absolute bargain even by today’s standards. Why doesn’t anyone make a basic suv anymore?

[@foxtrot685]

Why doesn’t anyone buy basic anything anymore? That’ll answer your question

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

@@foxtrot685 to some extent it’s due to dealer ordering. My next door neighbor is a general manager for a local Toyota dealership. He told me quite some time ago he’ll never order anything other than black interiors and dark colors. He told me anything else doesn’t sell quickly enough. You can’t find a base model Toyota anywhere on his lots. Suffice to say, most won’t order a vehicle, so they’re stuck with what’s on a lot. Optioned up vehicles to turn a larger profit.

[@nessuno5403]

Did you use your calculator watch for such simplistic money conversion? Life change as do finances.

[@DavidAndre657]

A Quick Look.

[@basshead.]

1st

[@nessuno5403]

Always the 1st and leading the Moron's Cup. At least I agree the Lada Niva was the ancestor of this class.

[@vitara4x48]

I have a Suzuki vitara 4x4 1992 in indonesia

[@gumbie007]

They should have had a law requiring any vehicle over 2,000 lbs must have at least 120 horsepower otherwise it should be classified a bike! 🤨 😒 🤦‍♂️

[@nessuno5403]

They should have a law for large US humans to be slimmer so, generationally, cars don't get heavier and bulkier and require larger engines

[@mrpoohbearlvr]

A typical Suzuki load of junk, but still rather have it the new techno p.o.s. made since. Hear that Chevy Trax?!

[@estebanamador7601]

That load of junk continues working in my country in a really reliable way, some european, American and new asian cars (including Toyota) can't say the same. Suzuki's philosophy : simple but reliable and easy to fix. Greetings

[@mrpoohbearlvr]

@@estebanamador7601 They fail in the USA everytime they come back. Kind of says what kind of junk they produce Cheers 🥂

[@estebanamador7601]

@@mrpoohbearlvr for your market, for us they're amazing, that's why they are focused in undeveloped countries (mine included). We have very simple work cars and trucks from other brands too, including a Transit RWD with manual transmission that you don't have in the US. For us, simplicity and reliability are better. Greetings

[@A_Cowboy_called_JackRabbit]

@@mrpoohbearlvr to be fair, the Trax is a Daewoo, as were too many of the last models badged as Suzuki. Junk, for sure.

[@estebanamador7601]

@@A_Cowboy_called_JackRabbit exactly, the real Suzukis are 👌👌👌

[@rosariovalenzuela5425]

1991 Suzuki Sidekick JLX | Retro Review