This Suzuki Is Regarded As One Of The Worst Vehicles Of The 90s

This circle of events led Suzuki in developing the X-90, the Samurai’s predecessor. The X-90 has a similar ladder frame chassis derived from the two-door Sidekick (or Vitara in other markets). Still, Suzuki gave its durable chassis an absurdly quirky body, a truck-like five-speed gearbox, and an absurd $16,288 price tag – more than double the MSRP of a Samurai. From these facts alone, the numbers are unfavorable to the X-90, and we haven’t gotten to the worst part yet.

The X-90 is a two-door and two-seat SUV with a removable T-section roof. It sounds brilliant when you describe it that way, but why does it look like the cross between a Mazda MX-5 and Suzuki’s own Mighty Boy coupe-utility Kei car after a long night of cheap whiskey and cold pizza?

It also has an out-of-place rear spoiler, and we’re talking about a car that can supposedly go farther when the tarmac ends, so what’s the point? Except, the X-90 can’t go very far over rugged terrain, either, since it has street-spec tires and a questionably low ride height.

Compounding the stiff chassis are strut suspension in the front, a coil-sprung solid rear axle, and rigid springs/dampers to give the X-90 the ride comfort of a tuktuk or rickshaw. The X-90 can’t go off-road, and it’s not suitable for the street, either.