1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Suzuki Samurai
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Price
- 4WD traction
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Noise
- Acceleration
- Ride/handling
- No airbags or antilock brakes
Vehicle Highlights
Introduced for 1986, it was not until 1989 that the sport-utility vehicle was on sale across the country, as either a convertible or a fixed-roof hardtop. The slow-selling hardtop was dropped after 1989, leaving only the convertible, in a single price level. Switching from carburetion to fuel injection for 1990, the 66 horsepower 1.3-liter engine came only with a 5-speed manual transmission. An on-demand, part-time 4WD system was standard. Manual-locking front hubs also were standard, but dealers could install automatic-locking hubs.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Suzuki Sidekick Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 1 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 2 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 27 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Suzuki Samurai:
A pair of two-wheel-drive models arrived for 1991, led by the JA. The JA came without a top or rear seat, while the JS added a folding soft top and 2-place rear seat.
1992 Suzuki Samurai:
The 2-wheel-drive JS model dropped out, leaving only the 2WD JA and 4WD JL models.
1993 Suzuki Samurai:
Nothing was new for 1993 in Suzuki's smallest sport-utility vehicle.
1994 Suzuki Samurai:
Only 4WD remained after '93, as the two-wheel-drive model dropped out. The remaining Samurai came with a canvas top, and added a center high-mounted stoplamp.
1995 Suzuki Samurai:
Only a 2-door convertible body style with 4-wheel drive returned for 1995, Samurai's final season.
Our road test for the 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1995 Suzuki Samurai is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Small size, lightweight construction, and absence of airbags make the Samurai feel vulnerable to most other vehicles on the road. Furthermore, it lacks the comfort and performance of several passenger cars in the same price range. With its short wheelbase and rock-hard suspension, you can expect a harsh, bouncy, unstable ride. Even on apparently smooth roads, the ride is stiff and pitchy. Like other narrow-track 4x4s, the Samurai is unnervingly tippy in corners, bouncing and flexing through bumpy turns. Steering is slow and unresponsive. Though willing, the 1.3-liter powerplant runs out of breath early and buzzes madly while struggling to produce mediocre acceleration. Gas mileage is a relative bonus. Even next to a Jeep Wrangler, the Samurai appears crude, with inadequate insulation. At highway speeds, wind noise can reach hurricane intensity. Controls are simple and convenient. Space is adequate for the two occupants, but cargo space is scant. Four-wheel-drive models have manually locking hubs, which can be an annoyance when switching between 2WD and 4WD.
Value for the Money
Though cute and cheap, Samurai is simply too small, underpowered, and unrefined to serve as real transportation.
Though cute and cheap, Samurai is simply too small, underpowered, and unrefined to serve as real transportation.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Suzuki Sidekick Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 1 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 2 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 27 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Suzuki Samurai includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Suzuki Samurai .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Dashboard lights:
The seatbelt-warning light stays on due to a shorted wire under the driver's seat. (1990)
Engine misfire:
An electrical-system failure can be traced to a blown fusible link in the power lead from the alternator. (1990)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $430 |
| Alternator | $585 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $515 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $430 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $330 |
| Exhaust System | $170 |
| Radiator | $355 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $430 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $200 |
Our price chart for this generation Suzuki Samurai details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1995 | |||
| Samurai 4WD | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
| 1994 | |||
| Samurai 4WD | $1,400-1,800 | $900-1,200 | $200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Samurai | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Samurai | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Samurai | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1990 | |||
| Samurai 4WD | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Suzuki Samurai include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 79.9 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 135.0 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 60.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.6 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2059 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 27.8 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 10.6 | |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.2 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 38.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
New or used, there's never been a choice when shopping for a Samurai. All models used an overhead-cam, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 66 horsepower. Each one was equipped with 5-speed manual shift; no automatic transmission available.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.3 / 79 | 66 | 76 | 5-speed manual: 28/29 | 5-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Suzuki Samurai include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
