The 90s was a decade that was quite important in our culture, from how we dressed, Discmans, Beepers, Boy bands such as the Backstreet Boys and Girl groups like The Spice Girls, computers, and the birth of internet access. The 90s impacted the way we saw life and the things around us. And, yes, even the automotive industry was influenced by the new fashions during the 90s. The big brands did not want to be left behind and sought to innovate the market by offering users something unique, different, and according to the new times.
Updated April 2022: SUVs became popular in the 1990s as their functionality and availability rose. Many brands jumped on the bandwagon and crafted some of the best models that still exist today. Unfortunately, not all models were great, and some horrible examples were produced. We've updated this list to include more of the best and worst SUVs of the '90s.
But let's be honest, not all the cars that came onto the market were really worth it. In that eagerness to innovate, some companies ended up offering the strangest and most impractical models that we can imagine. If we compare them with the type of vehicles that we currently have available in the market, they did not work so well.
But not everything was wonderful in the 90s. And although there is still a large group of people looking for cars of the 90s, the truth is that, nowadays, we live in a time when companies offer new innovations in motor engineering that give the driver better experiences, with more power and better technology, so, this new generation has been dimming the old models that have only stayed for the memory and anecdotes among our friends.
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Best: Toyota RAV4
Toyota's RAV4 is a solid SUV today, but in the 1990s, the RAV4 was just entering the scene. Even in the early years, the RAV4 was a reliable SUV. These compact SUVs benefited from tearing up off-road terrain and looking good in the city. The 1990s RAV4 is bulletproof, and mechanics love their reliability, with high-mile models mostly having just oil leaks.
The reliability of the RAV4 from the 1990s isn't the only benefit. Finding one isn't too expensive, with many going for less than $3,000. Proof that a 20-plus-year-old SUV can outperform even brand-new SUVs.
22 Bust: Suzuki X-90
Suzuki attempted to diversify the SUV game in the 1990s with the X-90. While the Samurai did well initially, poor reviews from Consumer Reports killed sales. The X-90, on the other hand, was doomed from the start. The small two-door, two-seater SUV sports plenty of room for those two; however, that's about it.
Aside from the awful looks, the X-90 also provides quite an uncomfortable ride and wonky handling. Additionally, these cars are cheap and made cheaply, with complaints surrounding cheap plastics and materials that break down quickly.
21 Best: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
Initially, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon was developed for the military. But much like the Hummer, it made the leap to the civilian world. Along with the Land Rover, Mercedes' G-Wagon is one of the top off-road vehicles to ever be produced. The G-Wagon has various engines, from small four-cylinders to the largest V12 options.
In addition to a variety of power, the G-Wagon features full-time four-wheel drive and active locking differentials to really make rough terrain easy to traverse. Additionally, several body configurations were offered, and the reliability of the G-Wagon made it popular with luxury car fans and those looking for a capable off-road vehicle.
20 Best: Ford Explorer
Yes, the Explorer has been considered one of the best SUVs in the automotive market, has 5 generations of successful vehicles, and has remained in the market as one of the favorite brands of users. Still, it also had not some so positive details.
The first version of the Ford Explorer was introduced to the market in 1990 as the successor of the Ford Bronco II. This new model, within its range of cars of Ford, came available in two types of bodyworks in its first generation, 3-door SUV and 5-door SUV, with a 4.0L OHV Cologne V6 engine, while the transmission was available in two options 5-speed M5OD-R1 manual or 4-speed A4LD automatic. They also had an interior design that was attractive to the driver and quite spacious for the passengers. However, during the second generation of Explorer, the brand was affected by a massive problem in the vehicles' tires.
At the beginning of 1996, there was a series of accidents caused by the tire tread of the Firestone tires that got separated from the tire at high speeds; installed in the Ford Explorer models and other vehicles, the tires were P235 / 75R15 ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness AT. This problem took more than 271 lives and resulted in more than 800 people injured in the United States and other countries, for which Firestone and Ford Motor Company were forced to replace around 23 million tires, affecting the perception of people regarding the brand and reducing the number of sales by half. In addition, the factories in Decatur, Illinois (where the tires were made) were closed.
Luckily, Ford learned from its mistakes and found a way to overcome this decline in the market and maintain itself through the years as one of the pioneers in the automotive industry.
19 Bust: Acura SLX
In the 90s, Acura wanted to get into the market of SUVs, so they decided to launch the Acura SLX model and tried to promote it with taglines such as "Designed for Drivers with a Well-Developed Sense of Adventure – And an Equally Well-Developed Sense of Taste" and "Tough Enough to Go from Paris to Dakar. Elegant Enough for Those Who'd' Prefer Simply to Stay in Paris." but the truth is that the SLX was an unimpressive vehicle. Among its main features include its horsepower of 190 hp at 5600 rpm, an engine of 188 ft-lbs at 4,000 rpm, a 4-speed automatic transmission, 6 cylinders, and a combined MPG of 14.
Its design was not exciting or striking for the consumer either. The Acura SLX was only available in 4 colors, but the colors offered were gray and opaque colors, definitely nothing exciting. However, users found a spacious and comfortable area inside the SUV to sit and enjoy the ride.
But at the end of the day, Acura's attempt to captivate the SUV market was disappointing. Their slogan, "The Most Civilized Way to Leave Civilization," was not aligned with what the vehicle offered to users. This resulted in a tedious experience that did not give that feeling of luxury and exclusivity that the brand tried to provide. Besides, in terms of motor engineering, it had not achieved good results either.
18 Best: Hummer H1
The Hummer H1 reached the market in 1992 and was available until 2006. This vehicle was based on the M998 and was manufactured by AM General. Initially, this vehicle had the militia as an objective target. It was an ideal vehicle for war missions and to transport soldiers on the roughest and most difficult grounds, achieving unparalleled performance in high-risk situations. The Hummer H1 at the time was an unstoppable monster. And such was the vehicle's success in the military field that manufacturers decided to make available the SUV to civilians. It was a total success, although we must admit that most people bought this vehicle to drive it around the city and impress others because the Hummer is known to have a large size and have a rude and impressive appearance.
The first-generation Hummer H1 came with a 4-door open-top body, although they were also made as 2-door models. The engine was a 6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8, and the transmission was GM TH400 / 3L80 3-speed automatic. And, yes, there are many significant aspects regarding this type of vehicle, but the truth is that as a city car, it was terrible; besides, it was too big and uncomfortable to park on the street.
Today users have vehicles with better performance and technology that offer that feeling of luxury sought by people who want to impress others, all that and more in cars of a size more suitable for the city.
17 Bust: Land Rover Freelander
During the 90s, Land Rover had the brilliant idea of offering a cheaper version of its vehicles for users with a tighter pocket. And although the idea was not bad, the result and the capacity provided by the car were far from reaching the performance of the best vehicles of the brand. However, Land Rover got what it wanted, consumers took the bait, and the Freelander became one of the best-selling SUVs of the 90s throughout Europe due to its price and innovative design.
The first generation came with 5 doors, 4 engine options according to the model year 1.8 L K-Series I4, 2.5 L Rover KV6 V6, 2.0 L BMW M47 TD I4, and 2.0L L-Series TD I4. And the transmission of a 5-speed automatic, although afterward, they offered a 5-speed manual option. The reality is that Freelander served a simple purpose, selling. Land Rover knew that it wanted to place a simple vehicle on the market that would attract the consumer's attention due to its price. People bit down on it, but Freelander is far from a high-class SUV. In fact, it can be used more like a city car without great aspirations of performance.
16 Best: Chevy Suburban GMT400
The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV vehicle with the longest production in the US market. The first versions began to circulate in 1935, and improved versions are still coming out today. In fact, the first generation of 1935 was quite innovative back then. It was one of the first trucks with fully metallic production bodywork. Chevrolet has decades in the automotive market and is a brand that has been characterized by being innovative and always offering better experiences to the driver, and giving greater reliability behind the wheel.
We've said it before, and we will repeat it again, the 90s were great, but we can not always live in the past. Between 1992 and 1999, Chevrolet released the new version of its Suburban model that had a body of 4 doors, a 6.5 L engine (395 cu in) L56 & L65 Turbo-Diesel V8, and 4-speed automatic transmission. And although the Suburban of the 90s has nothing wrong, why stay stuck with a past model when we can enjoy the new versions of this SUV that Chevrolet offers us, with better performance, better designs, luxury interiors, and driving experiences more complete for the driver. Life is too short to not enjoy modern vehicles that offer us greater experiences than their predecessors.
15 Bust: Isuzu Trooper
The Isuzu Trooper was a midsize SUV that was available on the market in two generations, from 1981 to 2002. The first generation was available with a body of 3 doors and 5. The first engine was a 1.9 L G200Z I4 (UBS13). However, with the new models, their characteristics were changing. The engine capacity was improved as the transmission that was initially manual 4-speed Isuzu MSG. Still, then the company offered the option of a 4-speed Aisin Warner automatic.
It had a simple but functional body that made this SUV an ideal option for those looking for a midsize that offered them the reliability and comfort behind the wheel they were looking for.
The negative part? The 3-door model is too uncomfortable for passengers who want to access the vehicle and subsequently want to leave at some time because they are forced to wait till the person in the front seat leaves first and move their seat to allow them to leave. In general, Isuzu Trooper was not a lousy buying option at that time. However, we insist that the ideal choice was the 5-door model, but this SUV is one of those vehicles that has lasted over time. From time to time, we can find some models sold in the US from the 90s rolling through the streets. However, we think it is time to leave this vehicle in the past and enjoy the benefits of the new generations that the automotive market offers us.
14 Best: Land Rover Defender
Land Rover is a brand that has become known for offering the best quality in its vehicles which quickly adapt to the needs of the specific public for which they are aimed, providing the latest in automotive technology to give the driver greater confidence and better performance behind the wheel. By the time the company introduced the new Land Rover Discovery model, they had found it necessary to give their classic SUV a name to identify it. That is how the name Defender came about.
The new version of the most beloved SUV by the brand's users had a modern alloy cylinder head, improved turbocharging, intercooler, and direct injection. It had a 2.8L BMW M52B28 petrol I6 engine and 5-speed LT77 manual transmission, although they also included a 4-speed version ZF 4HP22 automatic. Moreover, this vehicle has many of the features of the Discovery version of Land Rover. It is still considered a classic of the brand, and many collectors still enjoy taking a ride in this beauty. But Defender is a vehicle that has been left in oblivion by others, and only true car enthusiasts still remember it with nostalgia.
13 Bust: Daihatsu Rocky
The Rocky was a mini SUV manufactured by the Japanese company Daihatsu between 1989 and 1998. The main idea was to offer a compact vehicle for young people or families who wanted a car capable of moving around different places and grounds, not only in the city. Daihatsu Rocky came available with a 1.6 L HD-E / HD-C I4 engine and a manual 5-speed transmission. Like the Isuzu Trooper, the Rocky has only 3 doors that generate greater discomfort for passengers who get in and get out of the vehicle. Besides, the vehicle inside is not spacious enough for the legs of the passengers, so it gives the feeling of being trapped.
Among the negative characteristics, we must mention that the Rocky does not have a good suspension, the distance between the axes is very short, and its performance does not reach the expected results. And although its exterior design is not so bad, we could say that Daihatsu Rocky is a vehicle to use in the city. We can make short rides and maintain low-performance aspirations because it is definitely not the type of vehicle with which we will want to have a getaway trip. So, why try to revive and keep this car of the 90s in our streets? The best thing is to keep it in our memories as a "classic of the 90s" that was quite common among our friends because of its low costs. But without a doubt, today, we can find mini SUV at low prices that offer better performance than what Daihatsu Rocky showed us in the 90s.
12 Best: Mercedes-Benz ML320
The first thing that crosses our minds when we hear Mercedes-Benz is luxury and exclusive vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was one of the first luxury SUVs for suburban customers offered by this brand. The ML320 was part of the first generation of the Mercedes-Benz M Class W163. Still, the ML 320 reached the US market first and then was sold in the international market and was known as the 320 to allude to the 3.2-liter V6 engine.
This model had a comfortable interior for the users and spacious leather seats available. The front seats have heating ideal for getting warm in the harsh winters. It also offers excellent performance. Although it is definitely not the fastest vehicle compared to other SUVs that compete in this category, it is unstoppable in snowy seasons. It can move without problems in the harshest winters.
However, the ML 320 is a classic of the Mercedes-Benz brand that we can modify to improve its performance, which is at a disadvantage compared to more updated SUV versions. And among its negative aspects, we can mention that rides can become somewhat rigid, besides the fact that when we are driving at fast speeds, the noise of the wind becomes insupportable. The air conditioning does not cool as quickly as in more updated models. No matter how superficial it sounds, cupholders are terrible. At the end of the day, the ML320 has been an innovative model in the 90s but currently only offers memories of being a classic of the decade.
11 Bust: Tata Estate
Believe it or not, the Tata Estate was a pretty revolutionary vehicle in the 90s. These station wagons produced by Tata Motors were introduced in the market in the year 1992. They became a model to follow in the heavy vehicles market due to characteristics quite advanced for the time. Tata was a vehicle designed primarily for the comfort of passengers, so they offered spacious rear seats for the comfort of people.
Among other features, we can highlight that it had electric windows, power steering, Tachometer, a 1.9 D (68 Hp) Diesel engine, and manual 5-speed transmission, which were not common in the vehicles in the SUV market during the '90s. This vehicle worked better than expected due to its attractive qualities and accessible costs. Consumers were more than happy to acquire a Tata.
As a family vehicle, it was a perfect option with a 5-door body that gave easy access to a spacious trunk and the rear seats. Tata was considered a familiar vehicle quite common in the 90s. However, although it was considered an innovation at that time, and some people maintain a certain nostalgic appreciation for Tata, we must admit that it is a vehicle that has already become obsolete with the new versions that are on the market, so we do not consider it a good buying option nowadays.
10 Best: Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) is a compact vehicle that was manufactured and marketed by Jeep from 1983 to 2001. These vehicles were characterized because they had a different body due to it not including a traditional body-on-frame chassis. The XJ instead had a body and a light integrated frame that also was efficient in space. Although these models were initially marketed as sportwagons, later, they would become what we call SUV-style vehicles.
The XJ Cherokee was introduced in 1984 and had a rigid and robust design, with approximately 3200 welds in a complete body. Still, it balanced both qualities because it managed to keep the vehicle light. In addition, Uniframe allowed outstanding performance even with AMC's new 2.5-liter / 150-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine. Cherokee has been one of those vehicles that have become part of our culture and can take us to specific times. This particular model was quite successful. It was common to see these SUVs on the streets and in Hollywood movies. Moreover, we must note that although they stopped producing the vehicle in 2001, the Jeep Cherokee is one of those vehicles of the 90s that is still worth it. If we want to modernize it, we just need to improve certain qualities of the Cherokee, and we can get better performance.
9 Bust: Pontiac Sunrunner
The Pontiac Sunrunner was the Canadian version of the Geo Tracker, which emerged due to GM Canada giving up on the Asuna brand in 1993. A curious fact, the vehicle that became known as Pontiac Sunrunner in Canada was initially sold as a Chevrolet Tracker and GMC Tracker in the north, but the reality is that this vehicle passed by different names in different countries and regions before establishing itself in the market as Pontiac the benchmark for vehicles that GM Canada could not (or did not want) to sell under the insignia of Chevrolet.
Moreover, the Pontiac Sunrunner was a mini SUV that was quite popular in the 90s due to its colorful body and compact design. Initially, this vehicle was manufactured for young people and was considered a light truck due to its off-road capabilities. Sunrunner had 4 cylinders of 1.6 liters, with GM's three-speed automatic, and in general, it was not a bad vehicle. So! what was wrong with it? Its performance was regular. In fact, it did not offer any emotion to the driver. Ironically, the manufacturers did not modify the vehicles for the Canadian weather, especially for states and locations with more severe winters. Users had to acquire an extra engine heater with their dealer. This mini SUV is definitely a classic of the 90s that we remember seeing on the streets circulating, but although the 90s were great in many aspects, it's time for some people to let go of their obsession for that decade because no matter how cute the Pontiac Sunrunner was, we need to admit it was not a good enough.
8 Best: Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner is a midsize SUV manufactured by the Japanese company Toyota since 1984. Initially, it came on the market as a compact size SUV, designed with a fiberglass shell on the bed, but from 1984 until today, these have experienced several changes. It is also one of the favorite vehicles for users looking for off-road SUVs.
After the success of the first generation, Toyota launched the second generation of Hilux Surf and 4Runne in 1999, the most sold SUV vehicle of the brand, and this new generation was known as the N120 / N130 series. These new versions, instead of having the body style of a pickup, had a steel integrated body mounted on the existing frame and got a new rear suspension system of coil springs, but unfortunately, they did not achieve the expected performance and remained as vulnerable as in the previous models. Additionally, the 4Runner remained slightly identical to the Hilux from the B-pillars forward.
Luckily for users, Toyota is one of the monsters that currently leads the industry and has adapted their most coveted models to the new times we live, integrating recent advances in motor engineering in each of their vehicles. Generation N120 / N130 was available in the market from 1990 to 1995, when it was replaced by the third generation N180.
7 Bust: Isuzu VehiCROSS
The Vehicross was a compact SUV manufactured by Isuzu that was introduced in 1997 and was available on the market until 2001. Among its main characteristics are that it shares a large part of its components with Trooper, such as its 3.2 L engine and 3.5 L V6 that produces 215 bhp (160 kW; 218 HP) at 5400 rpm and 230 lb · ft (312 N · m) at 3,000 rpm of torque. Moreover, Vehicross also has a Torque on Demand (TOD) four-wheel drive system.
The idea was to create a small two-door sports SUV capable of adapting to different grounds. The designers tried to give it an aggressive and bold style, giving it a black hood with a black plastic coating on the middle half, its wheels were polished 16-inch in the first versions, but then they added 18-inch chromed wheels for the rest of the production. So far, it doesn't sound so bad, but the truth is that those eager to be original and stand out ended up granting a vehicle that does not have the engine performance according to what the company wanted to offer to users. In the US, around 5,000 were sold. Still, nowadays, it is rare to see them in the streets because they have remained as a vague memory of a vehicle that seemed to be "very cool" in the 90s. Still, today are left behind compared with the new technological advances and motor engineering that we see in SUV models.
6 Best: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep is another of the companies that we have seen in the market for a while and has been able to adapt to the new decades by offering more powerful and advanced models on each of their vehicles that are capable of meeting users' needs. Grand Cherokee is the range of medium-sized trucks that the brand offers and that is characterized by using a unibody chassis.
The first generation of the Grand Cherokee was launched on the market in 1992 as a luxury vehicle in the SUV segment. These models of the Grand Cherokee were known as "ZJ" and came in three different trim levels. The base models included full instrumentation, cloth interior, and a standard five-speed manual transmission. Windows and electric locks were not standard equipment at the edge of the base. But due to the narrow difference between the base price with higher models, they had a low consumer demand, so this model was discontinued later. While the standard models were characterized by including a 5.2 V8 engine. In addition to accessories such as airbags on the driver's side and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on the four wheels.
And finally, the luxury models had electric windows, a keyless entry system, leather seats with heating, and a Jensen brand stereo with a multi-band equalizer. Currently, the latest model of Grand Cherokee WK2 is available, ideal for crossing rivers and different terrains, and is available with a 295-hp 3.6-liter V-6 as a base model.
5 Bust: Fiat Multipla
The truth is that there were too many things that did not work with the Fiat Multipla, although they were mainly of an aesthetic nature. During the 90s, Fiat wanted to go further and offer consumers a vehicle with a spatial aspect and a bit weird, capable of accommodating six people inside. Although it sounds difficult to believe this vehicle had 3 generations with considerable improvements in each one, especially in appearance, they were available from 1998 till 2010.
The truth is that the only crime of this car was to be ugly because if the manufacturers had invested more time in giving it a more elegant finish, the Multipla would not have won the title of the ugliest car, according to Top Gear.
4 Best: Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV marketed and sold by Ford Motor Company since the 1998 model year. The Navigator was designed to be Lincoln's counterpart to the Ford Expedition, but with the difference that the Lincoln SUV has a higher load capacity.
The Lincoln Navigator was launched in 1998. Its design was inspired by the Ford Expedition, but it gets in the SUV segmentation as the first offered by the Lincoln-Mercury division. It had an engine 5.4 L Triton SOHC V8 or 5.4 L InTech DOHC V8, and also has a 4-speed 4R100 automatic transmission, in addition to the independent front suspension and a rear suspension of a live rear axle, but to achieve better performance during the ride, manufacturers added a pneumatic suspension of load leveling.
The Navigator is a high-end SUV with a full body on frame. The Navigator was mechanically related to the Ford Expedition. Both vehicles were related to the 1997 Ford F-Series, so they had certain similarities in their automotive engineering. The first generation was available until 2002 when it was replaced by the second one that spanned from 2003 to 2006. Currently, the brand already has 5 generations on the market, and its SUV models are considered among the best high-end on the market.