Bizarre Car of the Week: one thousand nine hundred ninety six Suzuki X-90

The 1990s are responsible for some of the wackiest, weirdest, and wildest car creations the world has ever seen, and few people took more risks in their home markets or abroad than Japanese automakers. The 90s spotted automotive oddballs like the “Clown Shoe” BMW Z3 M Coupe, The Mitsubishi 3000GT, and the excellent-but-overlooked Subaru SVX.

Thanks to the quirkiness of Suzuki in this era, we have one of the strangest but most lovable cars ever to reach our shores: the X-90.

The X-90 was tooled with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case that permitted 4-wheel-drive to be activated at any time.

The bolstered and patterned thrones of the X-90 seem more 90s sports car than SUV, but that’s the ethos that this little ‘ute was going for.

In the mid 1990s, Suzuki was looking for a replacement for their Samurai compact SUV in the U.S. market, and determined to do a different spin on things. Built for those who were “youthfull and youthfull at heart,” and looking for something entirely different from the rest of the automotive landscape.

The X-90 debuted at the one thousand nine hundred ninety three Tokyo Motor Display as a concept car, and it was met with mixed response, but one thing was certain: it was unique. Built on the same chassis as the global Suzuki Sidekick (known as the Geo Tracker in the U.S. market), the X90 eschewed the typical boxy 4×4 setup for a coupe-like bod and a sports car cabin. Gone were the rear seats, storage space, and liftgate of typical off-roaders and in their place were T-tops, two bolstered thrones, and a petite trunk.

The X-90 sported removable T-tops that acted as a sunroof when in place.

The removable T-tops made the X-90 one of the few open-air SUVs on sale at the time.

Under the bondage mask, the X-90 packed a 1.6-liter SOHC 4-cylinder, good for 95-horsepower and a 0-60 time of over ten seconds. This may not seem congruent with its sporty looks, but the X-90 was never about outright speed. It was, however, about all-terrain capability, and the lightweight structure of the X-90 coupled with its 4-wheel-drive underpinnings made for a potent off-roader when the going got rough.

A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the wheels, and a two-speed transfer case enabled regular or extra low gears. The X-90 also had automatic locking front hubs, and front MacPherson struts with rear wishbones and coils on all four wheels.

The 1.6-liter SOHC 4-cylinder under the fetish mask made a paltry 95-horsepower, but the locking front hubs and off-road suspension setup made the X-90 a competent 4-wheeler.

The trunk was smaller than what you’d find in a similar SUV of the time, but it was more than enough for two occupants and a day’s luggage.

Suzuki released the X-90 in the U.S. in 1996, but killed off the nice ‘ute after just two years of production and slow sales. The total number of X-90s imported to the U.S. numbered just 7,205, so this little off-road coupe is much more infrequent than you might think.

Nostalgia has yet to catch up with the X-90, as used models can be had for under $Five,000 depending on condition. This mint-condition example from ebay user and Suzuki enthusiast “zuksofhazzard” is up for auction, and is likely the best-kept X-90 money can buy.

While the X-90 never sold well over its two year run, well-maintained examples can be found for less $Five,000 on the used car market.

Ironically, what didn’t perform well on the sales charts at the time seems like an automotive idea that could succeed today. Cute-utes like the Jeep Renegade are more popular than ever, and the terms “SUV” and “crossover” are being ditched for adaptations like “Sports Activity Vehicle.”

It may have been largely forgotten since the era of experimentation that was the 90s, but the X-90 remains one of the most unique four-wheelers ever made. We think if you’ve got some spare cash and a need for a joy summer runabout, there are few better used cars for a day journey with your dearest companion. Pop the T-tops off, throw some gear in the trunk, and head down to the beach or up the nearest off-road trail!

Special thanks to zuksofhazzard for the photos!

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the “Join the Conversation” buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.

Bizarre Car of the Week: one thousand nine hundred ninety six Suzuki X-90 – NY Daily News

Bizarre Car of the Week: one thousand nine hundred ninety six Suzuki X-90

The 1990s are responsible for some of the wackiest, weirdest, and wildest car creations the world has ever seen, and few people took more risks in their home markets or abroad than Japanese automakers. The 90s eyed automotive oddballs like the “Clown Shoe” BMW Z3 M Coupe, The Mitsubishi 3000GT, and the excellent-but-overlooked Subaru SVX.

Thanks to the quirkiness of Suzuki in this era, we have one of the strangest but most lovable cars ever to reach our shores: the X-90.

The X-90 was tooled with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case that permitted 4-wheel-drive to be activated at any time.

The bolstered and patterned thrones of the X-90 seem more 90s sports car than SUV, but that’s the ethos that this little ‘ute was going for.

In the mid 1990s, Suzuki was looking for a replacement for their Samurai compact SUV in the U.S. market, and determined to do a different spin on things. Built for those who were “youthfull and youthful at heart,” and looking for something fully different from the rest of the automotive landscape.

The X-90 debuted at the one thousand nine hundred ninety three Tokyo Motor Display as a concept car, and it was met with mixed response, but one thing was certain: it was unique. Built on the same chassis as the global Suzuki Sidekick (known as the Geo Tracker in the U.S. market), the X90 eschewed the typical boxy 4×4 setup for a coupe-like bod and a sports car cabin. Gone were the rear seats, storage space, and liftgate of typical off-roaders and in their place were T-tops, two bolstered thrones, and a puny trunk.

The X-90 sported removable T-tops that acted as a sunroof when in place.

The removable T-tops made the X-90 one of the few open-air SUVs on sale at the time.

Under the spandex hood, the X-90 packed a 1.6-liter SOHC 4-cylinder, good for 95-horsepower and a 0-60 time of over ten seconds. This may not seem congruent with its sporty looks, but the X-90 was never about outright speed. It was, however, about all-terrain capability, and the lightweight structure of the X-90 coupled with its 4-wheel-drive underpinnings made for a potent off-roader when the going got rough.

A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the wheels, and a two-speed transfer case enabled regular or extra low gears. The X-90 also had automatic locking front hubs, and front MacPherson struts with rear wishbones and coils on all four wheels.

The 1.6-liter SOHC 4-cylinder under the bondage mask made a paltry 95-horsepower, but the locking front hubs and off-road suspension setup made the X-90 a competent 4-wheeler.

The trunk was smaller than what you’d find in a similar SUV of the time, but it was more than enough for two occupants and a day’s luggage.

Suzuki released the X-90 in the U.S. in 1996, but killed off the lovely ‘ute after just two years of production and slow sales. The total number of X-90s imported to the U.S. numbered just 7,205, so this little off-road coupe is much more infrequent than you might think.

Nostalgia has yet to catch up with the X-90, as used models can be had for under $Five,000 depending on condition. This mint-condition example from ebay user and Suzuki enthusiast “zuksofhazzard” is up for auction, and is likely the best-kept X-90 money can buy.

While the X-90 never sold well over its two year run, well-maintained examples can be found for less $Five,000 on the used car market.

Ironically, what didn’t perform well on the sales charts at the time seems like an automotive idea that could succeed today. Cute-utes like the Jeep Renegade are more popular than ever, and the terms “SUV” and “crossover” are being ditched for adaptations like “Sports Activity Vehicle.”

It may have been largely forgotten since the era of experimentation that was the 90s, but the X-90 remains one of the most unique four-wheelers ever made. We think if you’ve got some spare cash and a need for a joy summer runabout, there are few better used cars for a day excursion with your dearest companion. Pop the T-tops off, throw some gear in the trunk, and head down to the beach or up the nearest off-road trail!

Special thanks to zuksofhazzard for the photos!

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the “Join the Conversation” buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.

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