Suzuki X-90: The Unique Compact SUV-Coupe That Was Ahead of Its Time

The Suzuki X-90 is one of the most unique vehicles ever produced by Suzuki. Launched in the mid-1990s, it was a two-door compact SUV-coupe crossover that combined the rugged DNA of the Vitara with an unconventional sporty design. While it didn’t achieve huge commercial success, the X-90 has since gained a cult following for its quirky looks and rare presence on roads.

Bold and Quirky Design

The Suzuki X-90 stood out with its two-door coupe body style, removable T-top roof panels, short wheelbase, and bold round headlights. Unlike traditional SUVs, it had a sleek fastback-style rear and compact proportions, making it a head-turner. At just over 4 meters long, it was small yet carried the SUV attitude.

Engine and Performance

The X-90 was powered by a 1.6L inline-four petrol engine producing around 95 hp, paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. It featured both rear-wheel-drive and optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) variants. While not extremely powerful, its lightweight build and capable 4WD system allowed decent off-road capability for its size.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the Suzuki X-90 featured a two-seater cabin with basic comfort features. It had bucket seats, air conditioning, power windows, and airbags in later models. Despite being compact, the upright seating and high driving position gave it an SUV feel, though luggage space was limited due to its sporty design.

Safety and Features

For its time, the X-90 offered reasonable safety with:

Driver and passenger airbags (in later versions)
ABS brakes
Rigid ladder-frame chassis (shared with Vitara)

This made it one of the safer small SUVs of the 90s.

Global Market and Legacy

The Suzuki X-90 was sold between 1995 and 1997 in markets like Japan, Europe, and the USA. Though sales were modest, it later became popular as a Red Bull promotional vehicle, often seen with giant energy drink cans mounted on the back. Today, it’s considered a rare collectible SUV among enthusiasts.

Price (Then vs Now)

At launch, the X-90 was priced affordably, around $15,000 in the US market. Today, due to its rarity, a well-maintained Suzuki X-90 can fetch between $5,000 – $10,000 in auctions, depending on condition.

Conclusion: The Suzuki X-90 may not have been a huge success when new, but it remains one of Suzuki’s most daring and ahead-of-its-time experiments. With its quirky styling, SUV capabilities, and rare charm, the X-90 continues to attract enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate unique vehicles.

Disclaimer: Specifications, features, and pricing are based on historical data of the Suzuki X-90 (1995–1997). Availability and value may vary depending on location and condition of the vehicle.

Read More: