1996 Suzuki X-90 Reviews

Our Swift engages in a circa-1000km road trip with us in its second month - exactly the kind of territory where small, city-focused cars like this can fall downSo, how did our GLX Hybrid fare, and what else has cropped up in our extended time behind the wheel?There are some good and bad things as well as a few surprises along the way. Read on to find out what's been happening.We travelled north of our Sydney home to the NSW mid-north coast for a week, allowing plenty of time to explore the local area. The result was a trip of nearly 1000km, which revealed a few things about the car.For example, it’s not just the cabin up front which is tight on storage. It’s the boot, too. Measuring in at 265 litres, it’s not terrible for the class, but if you’re away for a week or more you’ll definitely use the space available.With just two large duffel bags, an Eski (for the beach, of course) and some chairs, we had no room left.Everything else, groceries, bedding, the works, had to be left in the footwell of the back seat, or worse still, on the back seat itself. If you have kids or a pram, I can’t imagine it would be fun to try and pack for a similar trip.We'll often spruik the benefits of a small car for use inside city limits, but it’s unlikely to be a road-trip hero.On the other hand, this little car surprised me with just enough refinement to not get on your nerves on a long trip.Yes, it’s not as quiet as many mid-sized SUVs or more expensive size-up hatchbacks, but it’s also not bad considering its size.The ride is comfortable over a long journey and so are the seats, which are plush enough to have you hopping out after a few hours in a decent state.Still, cabin storage continues to be a sore point. With a frozen Coke and water in the front cupholder, a phone on the charger, and another cabled up to the system in the third rear cupholder, it left only the doors for storage, neither of which could fit our additional 1.25-litre water bottle, which was consigned to the floor. At the end of the day, it’s a city-focused hatch, and not really designed with inter-city running as a primary consideration. But then again, I’ve seen more clever designs in this class, like Honda’s sorely-missed Jazz, which offered a masterclass in city car floor planning.This was a big surprise, because when it comes to hybrids their fuel efficiency benefits can taper off at freeway speeds.This is generally because the way they are geared means the combustion engine gets more use, and the electric motors can do little to help at such velocities, let alone benefit from the recycled energy from regenerative braking which makes them such fuel-sippers in stop-start traffic.Yet, it's here the Swift’s 'not-a-real-hybrid system' comes into its own. Without a hybrid transaxle with tricky variable ratios to work with, and just a lean and efficient pairing of a three-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic, the freeway portion of our journey had little to no impact on overall fuel consumption.In fact, the sustained higher speeds had the consumption drop by 0.1L/100km to 4.8L/100km.Real hybrid or not, this Suzuki continues to prove you don’t have to overthink the solution.As good as its fuel consumption may be, I find myself refilling this car a little too often. The computer says I get about 650km from a tank, which I have discovered is because the Swift hybrid’s fuel tank is only 37 litres.Sure, it’s less bill shock when you pull up at the pump and only need to put 25 litres in, but there are now electric cars which can travel as far on a single charge.Oh, and the kicker? This hybrid’s new 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine requires mid-shelf 95RON unleaded which undoes some of your efficiency gains when it comes time to pay.Part of our adventures included some curvy hilly roads, which let the Swift put some of its best traits on display. Specifically, its ride and handling.While Chinese automakers focus on packing in features while offering a clean-sheet design aesthetic, Suzuki’s engineers clearly still have their heart on the art of the drive.The Swift isn’t a masterpiece to drive by any stretch of the imagination. This is, after all, an affordable light hatchback with a small efficiency-focused engine. However, considering its price and class, this is a fun little car to steer.The steering is weighted just right while the ride is tight enough to keep it from leaning too hard in the corners, but forgiving enough to not make you cringe every time you see a bump.Grip is middling from the stock Yokohama eco tyres, and sound levels are only okay. But the whole package feels more sophisticated and refined than the previous-gen car.The biggest detractor from the drive experience is, as usual, the continuously variable automatic transmission, which pairs with the mild engine outputs to make for disappointment when powering out of a corner.The little three-cylinder engine might have an agreeably gruff tone, but when you’re foot to the floor it’s happy to make a lot of noise while not much is happening in terms of road speed.It’s easy to imagine how much more fun this car could be with more poke, which makes the death of the GLX Turbo a shame. We can only hope the brand follows this hybrid up with a new Swift Sport, which is always a gem of a car.Overall, I came away from our trip impressed with the Swift. I didn’t have high hopes for the city hatch spending extended time on the open road, but every time I got out of it I didn’t come away feeling fatigued or frustrated.Tune in next month for some final thoughts on the Swift Hybrid, and our farewell video.Acquired: February 2025Distance travelled this month: 1291kmOdometer: 6313kmAverage fuel consumption this month: 4.8L/100km

We’ve known it’s been coming for some time but now the pure-electric Suzuki e Vitara small SUV has been detailed ahead of its launch in what is effectively its home market of India.Produced (for domestic and export consumption) at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant in north-western India, the e Vitara rides on the brand’s ‘HEARTECT-e’ platform and features a choice of two - 49kWh and 61kWh - lithium ion battery packs, the latter delivering a claimed range of 500km.A single electric motor in the nose produces 107kW/193Nm or 129kW/193Nm in line with battery size, with front-wheel drive for the Indian market. A dual-motor all-wheel drive version will also be produced for export, raising outputs to 137kW/300Nm. Multiple drive modes include ‘Eco’, ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Regen’, with ‘Trail’ on the AWD.External dimensions for the five-seater are 4275mm (long), 1800mm (wide) and 1635mm (tall) with a healthy 2700mm wheelbase.Aero efficiency is obviously a key focus, the car featuring a ‘Smart Grille’ with adaptive shutters, 18-inch aero alloy wheels, a full underbody cover and a rear roof spoiler. The interior is dominated by a 10.1-inch central media display with multiple customisable screens, as well as a 10.25 digital instrument/information display for the driver. A broad, floating console includes wireless device charging.Standard equipment in India is impressive, including a fixed glass sunroof, multi-colour ambient lighting, Infinity (by Harman) audio, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and ventilated front seats. ADAS Level 2 safety includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, adaptive high beam, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, ‘Active Cornering Control’, a 360-degree camera view, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and more. Passive safety includes seven airbags - front, front side, side curtain and driver’s knee as well as multi-collision brake to help prevent additional impacts after an initial collision.Suzuki Australia is yet to confirm if or when the e Vitara will hit our shores, although it is worth noting that the brand’s local division has been evaluating rival EV offerings like the Kia Niro and BYD Atto 3 at its Altona facility in Victoria over the last 18 months.

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There are plenty of reasons for buying brand-new cars. Fiscal acumen is not always one of them, as a second-hand car which has already done the bulk of its depreciating will often be a wiser financial option, but many people aspire to a new car anyway. That’s because there’s that peace of mind that comes with a car that has a factory warranty for several years, not to mention that a second-hand ca

The most economical car argument is still a valid one, despite the fact that oil prices have stabilised around the world.

A fresh round of real world tests from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has detected several cars that use a lot more fuel than claimed.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 5731 Suzukis sold new in Australia between 2022 and 2023.

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New Australian Design Rules (ADRs) will begin to bite from March 1, 2025, requiring all new vehicles to be sold with auto emergency braking (AEB) systems. The rules mean major withdrawals from the Australian new-car market but they aren’t quite as widespread as you might imagine, with some manufacturers putting in the effort to keep their cars on the right side of the law. Falling in line with United Nations safety protocols, ADR 98/00 — Advanced Emergency Braking for Passenger Vehicles and Light Goods Vehicles requires the fitment of AEB, a life-saving technology that can automatically apply the brakes if a car senses an impending crash. These systems have various levels of effectiveness but the latest rule change is concerned with being able to detect other cars on the road. The systems must function at least between 10-60km/h and be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop on a dry road from 40km/h. They must also switch on every time the car is started. This applied to new models of passenger car, light and medium commercial vehicles from March 1, 2023 and will cover all new vehicles imported into Australia from March 1.Mitsubishi is the hardest hit by the new rules, no longer able to sell the Pajero Sport off-road SUV or Eclipse Cross small SUV. The long-running ASX is also affected but Mitsubishi’s small SUV will be replaced by a new model this year.Next casualty is the cut-price Suzuki Ignis, which is not fitted with the technology. A new model, the Fronx, will replace it but probably not at its bargain price. Entry-level Vitaras will also be affected, though the brand did not respond to our query. The Porsche 718 would have been hit by the rule change, but production ceased in September with a new electric generation coming equipped with AEB. Another affordable brand slugged with the need for AEB is LDV, its cheap V80 large van is not equipped with the technology but, like the Porsche, production ended last year and all that’s left is existing stock. The entry trim T60 ute and all G10 van trims also lack AEB. CarsGuide was informed by a spokesperson that both “will meet the upcoming requirements for ADR 98/00”, with more news to share in the coming months. The Toyota Granvia people mover has also been given the chop. Onto the, perhaps unlikely, candidates that are equipped with AEB. Despite their age, these vehicles remain important sellers for carmakers, so it was clearly worth investing.There is none older than the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, over 40 years old its mid-life crisis (or glow-up) saw Toyota add crucial AEB including pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection. Toyota also, a little sneakily, bumped the GVM beyond 3500kg to 3510kg in 2023. The value of this is that the 70 Series becomes reclassified as a medium goods vehicle, allowing it to dodge the latest side impact regulations that would’ve seen an imminent sales stop. The Toyota Fortuner, current HiLux and GR86 manual are all equipped with AEB that permit sale in Australia up to, and beyond, 2026.Another ageing model due for replacement is the Nissan Patrol, though the new version is not due until 2026 the Y62’s many life-cycle updates saw ‘Intelligent Emergency Braking’, an AEB system that can detect cars and pedestrians, way back in 2019.Also worth noting is the British Ineos Grenadier off-roader, the first batch does not have AEB. Cheekily, orders opened in May 2022 (before the mandate for all-new models) but customers didn’t receive cars in bulk until the first quarter of 2023, and Australian media only sampled the cars in December of that year. CarsGuide understands that all Grenadiers and Quartermasters will be equipped with AEB from March onwards.The Australian Government has launched a review into ADRs going forwards now there is no longer local manufacturing to legislate (and protect). The next big active safety ADR change (revised as ADR 98/01) is due in August 2026, when all cars sold must have AEB systems that can intervene if a pedestrian is detected in the path of a vehicle. Some carmakers, including Nissan and Mitsubishi, have called for this to better align Australia’s laws with Europe, Japan and the USA promoting greater affordability and fast-tracking of more efficient models.