The 1998 Suzuki
Sidekick is a small but capable off-road vehicle. Its diminutive size allows it to fit in places where other off-roaders fear to tread. That said, while the Sidekick’s abilities might surprise even the most experienced off-roader, if you’re looking to do some serious rock-climbing it’s probably best to look elsewhere. A good off-road vehicle is your gateway to freedom. When the paved road ends, the adventure begins. But how do you know which vehicles are up for an off-road challenge and which vehicles are just pretending to be tough?
Jerry
, the car insurance super app
and off-road buff, has analyzed the off-road specs of the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick. We’ll look at all the key factors that make a great off-road vehicle truly great. We’ll also show you the best alternatives to fit your needs and even look at ways you can save on car insurance.Can the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick go off-road?
Yep! The Suzuki Sidekick is built for off-road antics. In fact, we think it actually looks a tad uncomfortable outside of a safari setting. Its small size means that there’s less weight to carry over rough terrain and it can fit in places that other, larger off-road vehicles can’t. And at an estimated used listing price of about $2,000, it can fit in your budget, too.
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowGround clearance
One of the most important specs to consider before taking your vehicle off-road is ground clearance. Ground clearance is the distance between the ground and the lowest part of your vehicle’s undercarriage. This measurement tells you how large of an object you can safely pass over without damaging your Sidekick.
Off-roading aficionados recommend a minimum ground clearance of 6.6 inches before you consider tackling gravel roads and dirt paths. The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick’s ground clearance is 8.2 inches, which makes it great for camping excursions and exploring back roads. But experts suggest a minimum clearance of 8.8 inches for moderate overland traversing and a clearance of at least 10.8 inches for any serious rock crawling adventures, so you may need to modify your Sidekick if you want to go where nobody has gone before.
Torque
Another key spec for off-roading is torque
, which is the measurement of a vehicle’s ability to turn its wheels when facing resistance. This is very important in situations where your vehicle may have a large rock wedged under its tire, for example. Torque is what gives your vehicle the power to roll over such objects at low or no speed without the need to gain momentum. The Sidekick’s torque falls in the range of 98–114 foot-pounds at 4000 rpm, which is not ideal. However, because of its tiny frame and light weight, that amount of torque does more for the Sidekick than it would for larger SUVs.
Tires
Traction is essential when taking your vehicle off-road. The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick came with 17-inch all-season tires, which are great for city driving but lack the traction needed for off-road scenarios. Tires are easily changed, however, and swapping out those all-seasons for some all-terrain tires
with heftier treads and tougher sidewalls will greatly improve your Sidekick’s traction. Switching to all-terrain tires may add to your overall cost of ownership, though, as they tend to wear out faster than standard all-seasons.
Drivetrain
Any seasoned off-road veteran will tell you not to attempt off-roading without all-wheel or four-wheel drive. Luckily, the Suzuki Sidekick is equipped with four-wheel drive, which gives it better traction on uneven terrain.
Angles
Angles are very important when it comes to off-roading, particularly approach angle and departure angle:
Approach angle: the maximum angle of a ramp that the vehicle can climb without its front end contacting the ramp.
Departure angle: the maximum angle of a ramp that the vehicle can descend and depart from without the vehicle’s rear end scraping the ramp.
The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick has an approach angle of 37 degrees and a departure angle of 49 degrees, making it fantastic for off-roading. If you decide to modify your Sidekick to give it more ground clearance, you’ll see these angles increase as well.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
We’ve analyzed the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick using Jerry’s highly technical DIRT rating system, outlined below:
| | |
|---|
| | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
| | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
| | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
| | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick has earned an R rating. Though small in stature, the Sidekick is meant for big things. Excellent approach and departure angles, good ground clearance, and four-wheel drive make this compact SUV a force to be reckoned with, and with a few modifications, the Sidekick can go from good to great.
The best off-road alternatives to the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick Off Road
The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick is an incredible value for anyone with off-road aspirations. But if you’re looking for something a little more environmentally responsible, or if the Sidekick isn’t quite up for the off-road challenge you face, you may need something different.
Here are some of the best alternatives to the 1998 Suzuki Sidekick to suit your needs.
| | | |
|---|
Best affordable alternative | | | Unlike current models, the first generation Sportage (1995–2005) was built on a truck chassis, giving this SUV a sturdy build. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | | | Not only is the Samurai one of the greatest off-road vehicles of all time, its fuel efficiency rating comes in at a respectable 25 mpg, compared to the Sidekick's 21 mpg. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | | | The Jeep YJ is probably what you picture when you think of an off-road vehicle. With 4x4 capabilities and incredible clearance and angles, the YJ is the ultimate off-road machine. |
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
One of the downsides to owning an off-road vehicle is that car insurance tends to be more expensive. Off-roading is a high-risk activity, and insurance companies will charge you a higher rate accordingly. So, if you want to make sure you’re paying the lowest possible rate, use the Jerry
app. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request.
No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user **saves $800+ a year** on car insurance.
“A super easy app for great savings. I gave them my information and got quotes from Jerry
very quickly! Now I’m saving $108/month.” —Kiyoshi A.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
