(first posted 10/7/2011) The weather is way too beautiful in North Georgia to stay inside these days. Even if I have no particular place to go, I will go there anyway just to spot cars. My lack of focus was rewarded today when I spotted a rare and exotic bird indeed: A local glass shop owner (who is a confirmed Suzuki Man) had parked his pride and joy X-90 out front in place of his normal Samurai. This happily coincided with me having my trusty Kodak at the ready. He was pleasant and friendly, and the car itself had some stories to tell (just like it promises in the banner up above).
Suzuki has always been the crazy aunt in the basement of the American car market. Its quirky little cars just never seem to catch on. Ideas that on paper seem novel and interesting just never seem to make it to the showroom floor as a coherent, must- have design. The X-90 is exhibit A of this phenomenon. When Suzuki launched its Samurai line in 1985, it put one of Japan’s most respected motorcycle manufacturers in the car biz here in the states for the first time. Now, 26 years later, Suzuki is still trying to find its first “top 10” sales hit.
The X-90 was one of the lesser lights in the struggle to win the hearts and minds of the American car buyer. Available for just three seasons (1996-1998) the X-90 was the spiritual lineal successor to the Samurai and replaced it in the lineup late in 1995. With rounded curves, a larger engine and all around refinement over the Sammy, the X-90 looked like it might reach a more affluent, urbanized buyer that would never consider the Samurai, which was renowned for its choppy ride, crude road manners and all around rough demeanor.
But as has happened so many times when the Japanese try to read the American mind from across the Pacific, the result was a disaster. Buyers didn’t know what to make of a two seat T-topped, SUV/ Car that looked like something Barbie and Ken would drive. Lots of potential owners wondered if it was a “real” SUV that could go off road. Lots more buyers wondered if an economy car with such a high center of gravity and cramped cabin made any sense. Thus the X-90 went to market with a confused assignment and Suzuki didn’t do much to define the cars mission. Some ads from the day portrayed the little Suzu as a junior yuppie mobile that could handle the nine to five and then play hard on weekends.
Later, there was the appeal to the kind of buyer that wouldn’t be caught dead in an SUV…
The result was a car that generated more giggles than sales. Just over 4600 units shipped in its debut year – And that was high tide. Sales dropped by half in 1997 and slowed to a trickle when Suzuki pulled the plug at the end of 1998.
What buyers got for the $14,599 MSRP was a rough 1.6 liter four that bashed boulders in a very subtle way with just 95 horsepower. A five speed manual and four speed slushbox were the drivetrain combos for all three years. Both FWD and four wheel drive were available, but anybody driving one of these where four wheel drive is essential needs a good talking to. Like everything else about the X-90, fuel economy was middling-real world owners reported low 30’s mileage in a vehicle that was shorter than a Mazda Miata.
Finding an X-90 today is tough, but not impossible. The owner of our subject car has accounted for a goodly portion of overall production. George says that he has owned five X-90’s and that they are fun and dependable, with limited off road abilities. In ice and snow… well, it doesn’t snow much in Dalton Georgia, but he says that when it does, the X-90 is more of a liability than an asset. His advice if you are looking to squirrel one away- Watch out for underside rust and if equipped with four wheel drive, take it to a mechanic before purchase. Suzuki dealers are a vanishing breed and he has to order parts from Alabama’s only dealer to keep his on the road.
The X-90 was never going to be taken seriously by anyone that was looking at a Jeep Cherokee or Wrangler, and with its short wheelbase, the ride was punitive on long trips. So it finally dawned on the brass at Suzuki that American buyers wanted more room, more power and more refinement in their 4X4′s, thus the X-90 got the boot and the company began emphasizing the Sidekick (which was mechanically the same under the skin) and later, the Grand Vitara. The roly-poly little X-90 was soon forgotten.
Sorry, I cannot stop giggling anytime I see one of these cars. And Ken would never be caught dead in one. He’s too butch.
I think that it’s another case of an automaker being ahead of the times. If it were introduced 10 years later at the beginning of the switch to Crossovers it might have been a hit. OK maybe not a big hit but I think it would have done much better than it did. Less Barbie car styling likely would have helped whenever it was introduced.
Around here is was the original Red Bull sales rep car with at leas a couple running around with an oversized Red Bull can perched on the back.
As seen at http://www.subcompactculture.com/2010/02/redbull-suzuki-x-90-some-junk-in-on.html.
This is what Barbie’s evil Bratz twin is driving.
I still see these RB versions to this day. Not sure if they are company cars? or purchased second hand by people who love Red Bull.
The styling is a little rough, but this was what the Japanese were doing in the early to mid 90s. Bubble cars. I mean, it resembles a Gen 1 Rav4.
Hate to admit it, but I secretly would like one. Always wanted a little Susucky (as my friend would refer to them).
Curious little cars; the Red Bull versions are the ones I most remember.
These were interesting but I’d much rather have the rare two door Sidekick/Tracker hardtop with 4X4 and the manual trans. Sadly all the ones that turn up for sale are usually on their last legs.
A guy who worked for me has one of these. I’ve never had a more rough ride in a vehicle in my life. Brutally bad, even on good pavement.
Then there was the guy in my hometown in Washington state who drove a purple one with a fake blower sticking “through” the hood – pointing sideways.
I remember when these were new they were pitched as a combination of a sports car and SUV. Hmmm … hardly two more disparate objectives. They are quite interesting however and I am glad there are people keeping them on the road. I think the 2WD ones were rwd not fwd however.
Not exactly an Audi Quattro, is it. Tons of Sukuzis on Craigslist here, but no X-90s. I do see one occasionally and it always brings a smile. What kind of person drives an X-90?
It’s appropriate to mention the Miata in any discussion of the X-90 as I suspect that is exactly the inspiration for the little oddball. In the early nineties, the Miata was a big hit, and Suzuki upper management likely wanted a piece of that pie. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the resources to go after that market (100% sports car) directly, so when it was time to revamp the much lamented Samurai (thanks entirely to Consumer Reports questionable testing methods), they decided to give what is now known as a crossover a shot in the hope the Miata market would shift in that direction and give them the ‘next big thing’.
It was a calculated gamble which didn’t pay off, but it’s easy to understand Suzuki’s rationale for the car. As someone else pointed out, they might have had a better go of it 10 years later (maybe around the time of Katrina when gas prices went ballistic), but I’m still a little skeptical. It’s sort of like the Suzuki version of the Pontiac Aztek, i.e., not really a great idea at anytime.
I remember these new but cant recall the last time I saw one. They were niether use nor ornament and a sales disaster another answer to an unasked question.
Never drove one, but I understand it’s essentially a notchback 2 seat Sidekick/Tracker, which sounds pleasant if you can ignore the styling. Having driven two different Geo Trackers, once on a highway trip and once in the woods,I was fairly impressed by the balance of utility and refinement. It’s a cheap, economical car that will take you up and down steep, muddy or snowy trails and can also cruise competently. Of course, both of those drives were in nearly new vehicles, so I have no idea how they age…
The Samurai was much more hardcore, like a ’50s Jeep — you wouldn’t want to spend the day on the interstate in one, but it will take you just about anywhere on the planet.
“Both FWD and four wheel drive were available,”
That should be “RWD”
If they had made this thing a four-seater, it might have made some sense, but as a two-seater it’s ridiculous.
That was the Tracker/Sidekick/Vitara.
Its worth noting that they only stopped selling the Samurai in the US, it kept going elsewhere, so in no way was this a replacement.
Its spiritual successor is the Murano cross-cabriolet!
I’m sure the Barbie doll song was blaring at loud volume inside Suzuki HQ when they design this one. That man who owns 5 of these must be very secure about his manhood.
Well, I guess I’m just crazy enough to wish I had a Red Bull X-90. Anybody know where one’s for sale? brown526@bellsouth.net
THE X 90 IS A RARE BIRD TODAY, IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND ONE.AHEAD OF THEIR TIME IF THEY WERE MADE TODAY THEY WOULD BE A GREAT SELLER.
THEY ARE FUN AND BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE.
I think they’re cute to death .
I’ve only ever seen a handful of them here in Car Crazy Los Angeles .
-Nate
Haven’t seen one of these in probably 10 years. I think Bozo the clown would also drive one, if he could fit his feet in.
Most likely. Sinterklaas has one too, no need to take his mitre off while driving. And his staff can stand upright in the car.
Your almost NSFW without crossing the line. Genius.
I’m dead serious, Hatman. As always.
& Clowns terrify me greatly!
That’s coulrophobia. There’s even a website http://www.ihateclowns.com
They certainly make handy villains in horror films.
Both have been downloaded into my folder of “Photos of Unusual Things.”
If I reuse it, you’ll definitely get the appropriate credit. Might be used on next years holiday’s de rigor newsletter.
Thanks for the website link, it’s been bookmarked. Just when I thought I’d seen it *all* on the internets.
Like ‘ Pennywise the Clown ” ? .
I’ve never understood the irrational fear of Clowns , I have several friends I have to run interference for when we’re out eating on Weekends and there’s a Clown in the restaurant to avoid serious mayhem .
-Nate
They sure are cute Nate. Didn’t spend enough time around the sorority girls back then.
I don’t think I’ve even seen one stateside, though they are very common in small Caribbean nations. Suzuki products even today rule in those islands, which are incredibly harsh on cars. Steep often unpaved roads, salt air and high temps and humidity, lack of good mechanics and a general cultural reluctance of maintenance age cars their cars fast. 1 mile there equals 10 stateside. Only Suzuki and Corollas seem indifferent.
Thanx Hatman ! I’m always ready to try out yet another tiny little micro car , I never learn I guess .
Good to know they’re reliable .
I think the sales photo withthe yuppies makes it look O.K. in a dark color ~ I have only ever seen them in red or the red bull livery .
If anyone worries about their vehicle making them look less macho , they have serious issues .
I’d give one a go but for any serious money I’d pass on one of these .
-Nate
Even in that preinternet world of everything I knew about new cars was magazines I remember seeing the annoucement of that car and thinking WTF are they smoking?
I’d commute to work in one of these. I’m man enough.
I could see someone driving these around our neck of the woods as a winter beater, except that the ultra-short WB means you might end up going sideways down a washboard gravel road.
I wonder if Suzuki saw the interest the Honda Del Sol was getting and wanted to get in on the action. The Del Sol sold over 10,000 units every year until 1996 when they dropped below 10,000 each year for the last two years.
I have always looked at the X-90 as a Del Sol with 4×4 capabilities. Had Suzuki offered this in 93 or 94 they might have sold many more in the USA as those 2 years the Del Sol was selling over 20,000 each year. but by the time the X-90 rolled in, the interest in 2 door 2 seat cars (except for cars named Miata) was gone.
During 1996 and 1997 Honda only sold 8489 and 5603 Del Sols respectively.
I think the Tracker and the Sidekick were stealing sales due to the ability to seat 4 and the first generation of those vehicles were damn good offroad vehicles.
It was more than the Del Sol. Due to the runaway success of the Miata, there were others that wanted to get in on that sporty, inexpensive 2-seater action. Besides the Del Sol, there was the Toyota MR2 and Mercury Capri, finally culminating with the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Redline.
While in hindsight it seems hare-brained, at the time (and considering the potential rewards), I can’t blame Suzuki too much for giving it a shot with the X-90.
The Del Sol and I assume the Capri were both prompted by the MX-5, but the Honda comparison seems more apt insofar as the X-90 looks like someone took a low-res cellphone photo of a Del Sol and printed out it with a 3-D printer.
The only horrible Honda if I’ve experienced, was an ex’s Del Sol. I felt like the three stooges had built and designed it- it shook about as bad as Fred Mertz, and even the auto-trans went before 100k; however, it did have that sweet Honda engine. It was very much like that woman was, half baked and unstable…although I did my best to love them.
I would roll one of these. They seemed cutesy and chick oriented when they were produced. But in reality, these things would go places that you would never get any other suv/off road vehicle, because of their size. They are quite capable and their looks belie this completely. A rugged design would have made this a more desirable vehicle befitting its intended mission of an everyday suv.
Had a Samurai, had a Swift. Great cars!
Cheap to buy, cheap to run and what few
repairs that were needed were easy and
parts were cheap.
Basic as an anvil. Almost as reliable.
Great way to loose your vanity and reduce
your pretensions.
I love Suzuki as I owned a bunch of Suzuki bikes. Never owned one with four wheels but think I would love to have had a Samurai or Sidekick. People I know that had either were very pleased. One of them hauled a light trailer with toolboxes and did Air Conditioning contracting. IMO they were tough.
I think I’m glad I passed on this one.
I remember first seeing the Suzuki X-90. I remember thinking “what an ugly looking nose job!” It’s not a bad looking vehicle overall, but its nose was the ugliest looking part of the X-90. I thought the Samurai, although it handled differently, was at least better looking.
My id and super ego are at war. This is a car that polarizes me (“You’re tearing me APARRRRT!”–James Dean, 1955). I couldn’t imagine owning one when they were new, but I would now, when it could just be a toy. As a life long fan of little cars (and a current micro-minicar hobbyist) this could be just the ticket for an 80 year old me to take to a meet, when I can no longer hunker down to get into a Cinquecento or Goggomobil. At just over 12′ long, it qualifies, and the removeable top is a bonus. I think it’s a slam dunk CC. Love to see one in a Studio Ghibli car chase. Toy-wise, I’d make it more Tonka than Barbie; the wheels are too big.
I have seen a couple of these over the years, they were (apparently) most popular “south of the Mason-Dixon line. I never paid much attention to the drivers to see if they were predominantly female.
Suzuki does/did have a history of “small sporty cars” though the U.S. never got any of them. When visiting Japan in the early 80s I saw a small, rear-engined coupe that was….I’m guessing, a 2 seater. It was a Suzuki. Suzuki has also built a few “kei car” sized roadsters that had a bit of a cult following. Google Suzuki Cappuccino.
In my opinion, $15,000 for a 2 seat NON sports car/mini SUV was a vehicle answering a question no one asked.
There’s one of these X-90s right down the street from where I live.
I recall Wifey and I were in a Toyota dealership back in the late 1990s and it shared a space with Suzuki and one of these was on the showroom floor. Of course I had to check it out and thought it had a unique cool factor like a Nash Metropolitan.
Would I ever drive one? Of course not! I’m a medium to big car guy.
Do they have a true selectable 4WD system with low range, or is it something else?
Yes they do. Its basically a sidekick with a new body and slightly lowered suspension.
Also the 2wd was RWD not FWD as stated in the article
They have the standard Sidekick 4WD system, but with the lower ride height suspension pieces from the 2WD versions.
Strange that these failed but actually had some 4wd ability and yet the equally awful RAV4 was a sales success with no 4wd ability whatsoever both had a midget wheelbase and choppy ride terrible road manners and hairdresser appeal.
Ah, I remember seeing my first one of these when I was five years old. It was that strange pearlescent purple colour with the silver body cladding. Around this time we had all sorts of new and strangely-shaped cars coming out, but the X-90… The X-90 has stuck with me for a while. When I went to buy my first car, my list included this, a Jeep Cherokee, a Smart Fortwo, A Subaru Legacy Wagon, and a Nash Metropolitan. I ended up having somebody go out and buy me a a Subaru Legacy while I was away doing something, but I guess I made a mistake in not telling them I wanted a wagon specifically… Still, if I had the chance I’d trade the Subaru for one of these X-90s any day. Why? Because tiny car with manual transmission.
I gotta say I’ve barely seen them ever one of my friends had one but soon he actually went over to buying a oldsmobile cause he wanted more room. It was a 98 bravada but none of those 2 cars lasted for very long but yeah I never see any x-90’s where I live anymore.
Im looking at getting one.. The pic with the skis and the roofs racks … how would they be attached??
cheers
The rear end reminds me of a mid 90s Civic
I’ve owned one of these here in northern Australia since 2000. Auto, 4WD, blue, 120,000km/75,000 miles. Huge fun with the roof off when the sun’s out. Sadly, though, it’s showing its age as much as I am, and is probably headed for the wrecker’s yard when I can no longer drive. (80+, now, and not exactly Suzuki’s target market.)
I picked up a clean X90 about a year ago on a whim and I really get a kick out of it! I had wanted one for years, but never find good ones for sale in Florida, then one finally popped up and it was clean, rust free and cheap!
The X90 is an odd little car, it rides horribly rough and handles like a very short truck. The manual tranny is very truck like, but the engine runs well and has adequate power.
Where this car excels is cruising with the tops off at the beach or as a great little runabout for errands. Most importantly it makes you and everyone who sees it smile, it is just a cute little car.
I own 8 vintage cars, mostly big american V8’s and Euro sports cars, but I find myself reaching for the X90 keys more often than not if the weather is good, especially if headed to the beach or the marina, as its fun and weird and catches a lot more attention now than they probably did when they were new.
If you like quirky stuff like Citroen 2CV’s, Micro cars, etc, the X90 has as much curb appeal, with easy maintenance and cheap parts. Also you NEVER see any on the road anymore.