Suzuki's inexpensive Samurai, sold elsewhere around the world as the Jimny, was a big hit here in the '80s, basically establishing a beachhead for Suzuki in the US as something other than a motorcycle maker. It was joined in 1989 by the Sidekick, which was called the Vitara in other markets. A similarly jeep-like vehicle, it was slightly newer and more sophisticated and available in enclosed cab forms.
In the mid-Nineties the fun and funky Samurai was discontinued and replaced in Suzuki dealers lineups by the X-90.
The X-90 was an odd little enclosed two-seater that had cartoon-like styling, vaguely reminiscent of Honda's Del Sol. Based on Vitara/Sidekick mechanicals, it had a teeny 86.6" wheelbase. Since it was based on the Sidekick, it had a longitudinal four-cylinder up front with part-time four-wheel drive through a center transfer case. Rear wheel drive only versions were also available.
It had t-tops, a snug passenger compartment with minimal storage behind the seats, and a teeny trunk.
While the lines might have suggested "sporty car", they were writing checks the truckette powertrain couldn't cash. The alloy 1.6L SOHC 12V inline four only put out 95 SAE net horsepower.
Car and Driver magazine tested a 1996 model with the five speed manual transmission and noted that, while the 4.63:1 final drive let it squirt to sixty in 10.8 seconds, it ran out of juice quickly. The quarter mile took 18.1 seconds at 74 miles per hour, and the car hit an aerodynamic wall at only 94mph. Of course, between the short wheelbase, 2500 pound curb weight, mediocre cornering grip, and fairly low ride height it always felt like it was going faster than it was.
Price for the test car, with options, came to $16,288, which is something like $32,750 in current money.
The X-90 was just too weird to live and was discontinued after the 1998 model year, with something like 7600 units sold over three years in the USA.
The Midnight Black example in the photo, which has been heavily modified for better off-road capability, was photographed in January of 2025 using an Olympus OM-D E-M1X and M. Zuiko Digital 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom lens.
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