On paper, the Suzuki X-90 looks like an automotive joke. A compact two-seat body, minimal practicality, controversial looks, and a strange concept. However, in real life this car evokes completely different emotions. Skepticism quickly gives way to sincere childlike delight: the X-90 does not try to be rational, it wins you over with charisma, uniqueness, and the feeling of pleasure from the very fact of its existence. Especially when it comes to the rare Philippe Cousteaux Special Edition version.
Suzuki has long been famous for its ability to make compact cars with unconventional engineering. It is enough to recall the Cappuccino micro sports car with rear-wheel drive, perfect weight distribution, and a transformable body, or the Jimny, which despite its toy-like dimensions is a full-fledged body-on-frame SUV with a low-range gearbox. Against this backdrop, the X-90 became the brand's boldest experiment of the mid-1990s — an attempt to combine the fun of a sports car with the capabilities of a true SUV.
The Suzuki X-90 was produced from 1995 to 1997 and looks even more exotic than modern design adventures such as convertible crossovers. With a length of just 3,710 mm and a wheelbase of 2,200 mm, the car is designed strictly for two people. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter G16A gasoline engine producing about 100 hp, which is quite enough for a vehicle weighing just over a ton. A 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed automatic were offered, and most importantly, there was a body-on-frame chassis from the Vitara with a solid rear axle, selectable all-wheel drive, and a low-range gearbox.
Because of this unusual combination, the X-90 was often criticized. Some publications considered it "neither fish nor fowl," and Jeremy Clarkson once even called it the worst car in history. But such assessments seem too harsh, especially if the model is viewed in the context of its time. In the mid-1990s, the market had not yet known the crossovers familiar today, and the X-90, together with the early Toyota RAV4, looked like a bold and innovative product.
Inside, the Suzuki X-90 makes an unexpectedly pleasant impression. The high seating position, excellent visibility, and simple analog instrument panel create a sense of "automotive detox" after modern cars filled with screens. The ergonomics are intuitive, and all controls are located where you expect them to be. Even tall drivers feel comfortable in the cabin, and the range of seat adjustments allows you to stretch your legs and avoid touching the roof with your head.
The Philippe Cousteaux Special Edition version stands apart, produced in a run of about 3,000 units. It differs with a widened body kit, original 16-inch wheels, and additional visual accents. This exact modification ended up with the current owner, who began searching for the rare model back in 2018, traveling through many cities and inspecting quite a few tired and poorly modified examples.
A suitable X-90 was found only in the fall of 2024 in Rostov Oblast. The car turned out to be in factory condition, without crude makeshift alterations, with original paint and a full set of accessories. In use, it proved reliable: expenses were limited to routine maintenance, and most technical parts are available thanks to its kinship with the Vitara. The main difficulties are related to body panels and lighting units — they are rare and expensive.
Despite its modest dimensions, the X-90 turned out to be unexpectedly spacious. The trunk, with a capacity of about 240 liters, allows you to carry luggage for trips, and there is additional space behind the seats. The suspension with trailing arms and an A-shaped element provides good articulation and comfort, while the high ground clearance and all-wheel drive allow you to feel confident off the asphalt.
The Suzuki X-90 is not about numbers, dynamics, or practicality. It is a car for emotions, one that brings smiles to both the driver and those around, especially with the roof panels removed. It is rare, strange, and completely irrational, but that is precisely its greatest advantage.