Although it's better known for motorcycles in the US, Suzuki is one of Japan's most successful carmakers. It does booming business throughout Asia, making ultra-small compacts, including kei-class cars and trucks with strict size requirements for navigating crowded urban alleys.
Case in point, check out this 1996 Suzuki X-90 for sale on eBay.
item 1 of 16
In America, Suzuki is most associated with small 4x4s like the Samurai - opens in new window or tab.. Unfortunately, its days were numbered after the Samurai was marked with Consumer Reports's dreaded "not acceptable" rating for its (heavily contested) tendency to flip over in cornering tests.
Suzuki took CR to court, and the consumer organization settled, but the damage was done. Sales fell, and Suzuki stopped selling the Samurai in the US market after 1995, even though the model continued in Japan for three more years.
The Samurai's unofficial successor was the Suzuki X-90. Suzuki departed from the 4x4 design, creating a new car segment instead. Like the Samurai, the X-90 rides on a proper body-on-frame architecture for serious off-roading. But unlike every 4x4 in history, the body eschewed a two-box shape and went with a car-like profile, complete with a notchback and separate trunk.
T-Tops for Open-Air Off-Roading
Suzuki didn't aspire to produce the X-90 as an ordinary car. Instead, it has a rounded, sleek nose and flared fenders leading up to a full-blown two-door, two-seat cabin with removable T-tops. If it sat lower, it'd be a bona fide sports car. But with its body-on-frame design, the Suzuki X-90 invented a new genre—the SUV coupe.
Sadly, the idea proved too far out for most buyers, and sales of the Suzuki X-90 were tepid. Suzuki sold about 7,200 units here from 1996 to 1998. In Japan, the story was even more dismal, with only about 1,350 X-90s sold in its home country. Compare that to 1987, the Samurai's best sales year, right before the infamous CR test. Suzuki moved more than 81,000 Samurais in the US that year.
Is the Suzuki X-90 Too Weird?
Motorists failed to realize the appeal of combining a sports car's handling with an SUV's utility. On top of that, its 1.6-liter inline-four made 95 horsepower—just fine for a true sports coupe like the Honda CRX - opens in new window or tab., not so much for a heavier vehicle.
But now, the Suzuki X-90 is so bizarre and rare it’s become a collectible classic. The example in the eBay listing claims to be on its fourth owner, but the previous three were all family members.
With 110,000 miles on the X-90's clock, it isn't mint. But the interior—with its glorious 1990s paint-splash upholstery pattern in pink and turquoise—is in spectacular condition for the age. The exterior was, unfortunately, painted in a non-factory color. Prospective buyers will want to inspect the quality of the work. The seller is also upfront about a fender bender in 2010.
On the plus side, previous owners replaced many consumables, and the seller says this Suzuki X-90's been a reliable steed. For $8,500, you'll be guaranteed not only an uncommon ride but one that represents a unique vehicle class.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.