Suzuki X-90: Don't ask Y

Review originally published in Road & Track Truck & Van ’98 Buyer’s Guide; republished by the author

The Suzuki X-90, shown here with T-top removed, was a polarizing concept and design.

The Suzuki X-90 was pitched as an urban runabout as well as the off-roader it could be.

The Suzuki_X-90 had a stylish interior of cheap-looking materials.

The Suzuki_X-90 a T-top roof with sections that would be stashed in the trunk.

The Suzuki X-90, with its two-seat cabin and full-size trunk and peculiar profile defied catitgorizatrion.

It doesn’t take more than one look the love or hate the Suzuki X-90. Appearance is the vehicle’s primary reason for being. After all, under the ski-boot styling is the chassis, engine and drivetrain of a 2-door Sidekick. Mechanically the X-90 is redundant.

But where the Sidekick has an aggressively rectangular exterior, the X-90 looks like a stunt double for the movie Flubber. It’s assertively cute, with a rounded contour and oval headlamps and a smiley grille. The 2-seat cockpit sits like a bubble on a bubble, and has fresh air and sunshine admitted via a standard T-top.

With a 1.6-liter 95-bhp 4-cylinder under its perky little hood, the X-90’s performance is sprightly at best. Surprisingly enough, EPA fuel mileage estimates are significantly higher for the X-90 that a 2-door Sidekick, with the rounder vehicle rated at 25/28 mpg city/highway, while its squarer sibling gets a 23/26 mpg rating.

Like the Sidekick, the X-90 is available with either 2wd or 4wd. With 4wd, the X-90 will go almost everywhere a 4wd Sidekick will. Minimum ground clearance of only 6.3 in. will be a concern. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a four-speed overdrive automatic optional. With 4wd a two-speed transfer case is standard. The X-90’s 4wd is part-time only, though the X-90 does have automatic-locking front hubs. Despite being pinch-its-cheeks cute, the X-90 has a rugged boxed frame with seven crossmembers. Rear suspension is a live axle on coils, while upfront are McPherson struts with coil springs. All-season steel belted P195/65R-15 radials are mounted on standard 5.5 in wide aluminum wheels. Front brakes are solid discs with drum brakes at the rear; ABS is available.

Where the X-90 suffers is practicality. It has only two seats – which makes it sporty but not very practical – and there’s little room in the cabin for extra cargo. The trunk holds only 8.4 sq ft more, which isn’t much. So using the X-90 for expeditions requiring more than a picnic basket will be awkward at best.

Yet the X-90 is neatly finished inside. The dash is nicely laid out, with car-like contours, including a big quarter-sphere pod for the instruments. The T-top panels are tinted glass and include panels that block the sun altogether; everything comes off and slides behind the seats.

Ride and handling are more like the Sidekick it is underneath than the sporty compact it appears to be on the outside. The short wheelbase, firm springs and high ride height yield the choppy ride one would expect, with more lean than one might prefer. Drivers will find it equally agile on city street or forest trail, though either venue may find the 1.6-liter four short of a few ponies.

The X-90 is therefore something of an anomaly. It’s an SUV that isn’t quite, with the body of a sporty compact that’s too cute for its own good. But if the X-90 is your sort of thing, that will guarantee some exclusivity while the larger-selling Sidekick and Chevrolet Tracker ensure availability of parts and service. The X-90 makes a statement. Just make sure it’s what you want to say.