Suzuki

Suzuki Sidekick

Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The official data lists 48 versions of the Suzuki Sidekick (1989–1998), in the United States and Canada. Each market publishes its own figures, measured on its own test procedure.

At a glance

Years in the data: 1989–1998
Markets: United States, Canada
Engines: 1.3 L to 1.8 L
Fuels: Petrol
Lowest consumption (United States): 9.4 L/100 km (EPA)
Lowest consumption (Canada): 10.4 L/100 km (5-cycle)

What is the Suzuki Sidekick?

The Suzuki Sidekick is a compact four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle sold in North America. It brought the Vitara’s compact off-road character to a smaller footprint, making it suited to everyday driving as well as rougher roads.

The North American Sidekick had one generation, sold from 1989 to 1998 and identified by the codes ET and TA. It belonged to Suzuki’s Vitara family, known as the Sidekick in North America and by other names in other markets.

Engines and power

In the United States, petrol engines ranged from 1.3 L to 1.8 L. Canadian versions ranged from 1.6 L to 1.8 L. The available engine depended on the market and version.

How economical is the Suzuki Sidekick?

The EPA’s United States figures cover 1989–1998, with a best combined rating of 25 MPG and a lowest listed consumption of 9.4 L/100 km. Canadian NRCan figures cover 1995–1998, with a lowest listed consumption of 10.4 L/100 km on the five-cycle test. EPA and Canadian five-cycle results use different procedures, so they are best read within their own markets.

Where was the Sidekick sold?

The Sidekick was sold in the United States and Canada. US EPA figures cover 1989–1998, while Canadian NRCan figures cover 1995–1998.

Questions and answers

What years was the Suzuki Sidekick sold?

Its first generation ran from 1989 to 1998 in the United States. Canadian NRCan figures cover 1995 to 1998.

What engines did the Sidekick have?

US versions ranged from 1.3 L to 1.8 L petrol engines; Canadian versions ranged from 1.6 L to 1.8 L.

What is the Sidekick’s best EPA fuel economy?

The best combined EPA rating is 25 MPG.

How much fuel does a Sidekick use in Canada?

The lowest listed NRCan consumption is 10.4 L/100 km on the five-cycle test.

Sidekick first generation (1989–1998)

Suzuki Sidekick first generation — Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Model codes: ET, TA · Sold in: United States and Canada · References: cars.com, automobile-catalog.com, en.wikipedia.org

United States 40 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
1996–1998(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
19982MODE 2LKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1998(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
19982MODE 2LKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1998	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1998	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1998	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1998	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1996–1998(FFS), 2MODE CLKUP · 2MODE 2LKUP	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1998	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1997–1998(FFS), 2MODE CLKUP · 2MODE 2LKUP	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1998	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1997(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1997(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1997(FFS), 2MODE CLKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996–1997(FFS), 2MODE CLKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1997(FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1997(FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1996(FFS)	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1992–1994(FFS) (MPFI) · (16VALVES) (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1993–1994(FFS) (MPFI) · (16VALVES) (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1991–1994(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
1992–1994(FFS) (MPFI), 2MODE CLKUP · (16VALVES) (FFS), 2MODE CLKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1993–1994(FFS) (MPFI) · (16VALVES) (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1991–1994(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
1992–1994(FFS) (MPFI) · (16VALVES) (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1994(16VALVES) (FFS) · (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1994(16VALVES) (FFS), 2MODE CLKUP	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1994(16VALVES) (FFS) · (FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1993(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Rear-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1991–1993(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1991(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1991(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1991(FFS)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
1990(FFS) (SPFI)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Rear-wheel drive	24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA	230 g/km
1990(FFS) (SPFI)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1990(FFS) (SPFI)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA	230 g/km
1989(FFS)	1.3 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA	221 g/km
1989(FFS) (SPFI)	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
1989(FFS) (SPFI)	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Four- or all-wheel drive	25 MPG (9.4 L/100 km) EPA	221 g/km

Canada 8 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
1995–1998Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	11.3 L/100 km 5-cycle	260 g/km
1995–1998Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.6 L/100 km 5-cycle	244 g/km
1995–1998Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.9 L/100 km 5-cycle	251 g/km
1996–1998Sport utility vehicle	1.8 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	258 g/km
1996–1998Sport utility vehicle	1.8 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	11.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	255 g/km
1995–1997Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	246 g/km
1995Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	3-speed automatic	11.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	258 g/km
1995Sport utility vehicle	1.6 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	239 g/km

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.