Suzuki X90 test drive 1996 - 1997 SUV
Twist, rav4
Blendorfinkers have now ceased to be purely utilitarian machines. The most dynamically developing subclasses in this class can be called expensive SUVs and beach cars. And if the former are quite suitable for both the city and off -road, then the latter have lost many off -road qualities, and you won’t travel to them outside the asphalt, except on the beaches. Although the first such cars were made on the basis of quite serious SUVs. You can, for example, recall the open versions of Jeep Wrangler or Opel Frontera Sport. The first swallow of the beach automotive was Toyota Rav4. Looking at this car, no one could imagine it on the off -road. But for the city, thanks to the small size, he approached perfectly. And further.
Wanting to emphasize the frivolity of the car, the designers awarded it with such an original appearance that it is impossible to watch without a smile at Rav4. By the way, the second name of this car is Fun Cruiser.
Suzuki X90 was no less funny. His body is poorly classified. It is a third -rate that the SUVs (excluding all -wheel drive pickups) are practically not found.
Salon is a double -seat bar.
X90, perhaps, can even be called an off -road relatives. However, disputes about the classification of the X90 can be carried out for a very long time, we will start better to full -time acquaintance with this machine.
As we already said, X90 looks completely frivolous. But large wheel arches, short overhangs, 4x4 inscription hint: I am called beach, I am also ready for other off -road tests. Well, so far we will believe.
But we can say right away that the front spoiler will live only until the first such test.
Wide doors open convenient access to the salon. True, as in the case of any other SUV, high thresholds, most likely, will not please women in narrow mini-skirts.
It seemed that such a machine should be small. But the driver and passenger will be convenient even if their growth is in two meters. Moreover, there is enough space in length, and in height, and in width. It was very pleased. But the corner even for small things in the salon X90 is completely not. There is only a small glove compartment where a couple of packs of cigarettes and a lighter can fit. What to do, its dimensions were dictated by a pillow located on top. There was no place for things for the seats, and in order to attach a small backpack and jacket, I had to get out of the car and put them in the trunk. The situation is the same as in BMW Z1.
By the way, the trunk of the X90 turned out to be very decent sizes. True, some of it eats a full -size reserve. In addition to her, the required number of things for traveling together will fit there.
The dashboard seemed comfortable and inconvenient at the same time. It is not overloaded with information -a large -diameter of the speedometer and a tachometer and small indicators of the fuel level and oil pressure. The speedometer readings are well read, but it is digitized in miles, and the available kilometer risks are so small that they are practically not read.
The steering wheel and steering wheel switches are already familiar to us. They migrated to X90 with Vitara. From the number of additional amenities, we note the air conditioning, radio and cruise control. Moreover, we learned about the existence of the latter quite by accident. The control buttons are located on the right under the dashboard, next to the driver’s knee, and it is practically not visible to it.
The salon and seats are upholstered with semi -synthetic fabric, which is very practical for this kind of machine. On these seats you can calmly flop in wet swimming trunks.
Now as for the technique. X90 was created on the basis of Vitara, is equipped with a 1.6 -liter engine and can have a mechanical or automatic transmission. We had the second option on the test. Next to the box lever is a lever that controls the bridges and a demultiper. Since we are still in the city, we put the 2n mode and touch.
Yes, to be honest, from the 96-horsepower engine we expected more. The accelerated dynamics is very sluggish. Here, of course, the automatic box is partly to blame - its switching is clearly delayed. Review of forward and side by side does not cause complaints, but back, alas, leaves much to be desired. Massive rear racks are to blame. The controls are good, and the brakes are simply magnificent. ABS is included in standard equipment.
On the actions of the steering wheel X90, it responds quite sharply and without tiring delay due to a good amplifier. I liked the soft suspension: it easily swallows many irregularities, but only when passing the gentle waves passes the car slightly.
We stop and try to remove the roof. More precisely, two of its halves, since for security purposes it is not removed entirely - in the middle of the roof a longitudinal element is located, connecting the framework of the front and rear glasses. The process takes a matter of seconds. It is enough to press the latch, turn a special lever and pull the half over yourself. That's all. It remains only to put her in the trunk. The reverse process is also carried out quickly.
Half of the roof are made of Tolstoy and in the appearance of very strong glass. For those who do not like transparent roofs, curtains are provided, attached in halves and almost completely covering the access of light into the salon on top.
Without a roof, moving to X90 has become much more fun.
Let's try the car for off -road. We have been trying to turn on the front bridge for a long time and unsuccessfully. The lever responsible for the off -road qualities of the car refuses to move. It turned out that the front bridge can be connected only in the neutral position of the automatic transmission lever. Well, neutral, then turn on position 4n - and go.
To begin with, we decided to ride in the places for which the X90 is intended. Finding the beach was not easy: within the city, almost all of them are closed for entry of cars. I had to jump and crawl along a rather decent hogram. Nevertheless, we found a pond with the sandy shore. On the sand, the X90 was quite confident and overcame the hills with the hillocks without problems.
So it was not in vain to the category of SUVs. As for more severe off -road, we decided not to meddle there: the car was just a pity.
Perhaps the most important quality of X90 is its attractive appearance. Such views on our memory did not throw any other car. And the stops that had to be done inevitably ended in the interview - people came up, and questions began.
So, lovers to stand out, rush! X90 is your car.
Dmitry Noskov
Source: Motor magazine [No. 6/1996]
