Mahindra ROXOR has created quite the buzz recently because of its compact peppy and rather fun involving characteristics. It even got into a fuzz with Jeep over a patent but the point here is, people who call the ROXOR the first of its kind, are actually wrong. In the late 1980s, Suzuki gave us a rather quirky little off-roader that almost became a threat for the Jeep.

Yes, this humble guy didn't stay long on US shores, or else, we might have had more 'Suzukis' than 'Jeeps'. The funky SUV that is still the favorite of purists is the Suzuki Samurai. It was a cheap and affordable off-roader, something that was not associated with capable 4x4s back in the day. The fact that it was a Japanese offering also added to its reliability curve.

People who aren't familiar with the Samurai could connect with the Suzuki Jimny off which the Samurai was rebadged on. The Suzuki Samurai shot to fame quickly because of its 'straight-to-the-point' attitude. But a rather controversial statement by Consumer Reports was the cause of its downfall. But in the short lifespan that it had in the States, its capabilities and funky character spread like wildfire and is now a well sought after collector proposition.

Suzuki Samurai was a funky little off-roader from the 1980s that almost had the Jeep Wrangler sweating!

Samurai Was The First 'Suzuki' Sold In The States, And It Was An Instant Hit

Suzuki Samurai angular view
Via: Automobilemag.com

Suzuki brought over the Samurai in 1986 and was the first Suzuki badged car to enter the US. But it wasn't the first car that had Suzuki's backing. In 1968, a Japanese small-scale automaker called Hope Motor Company pitched in the ON360 that was powered by a Mitsubishi engine.

Suzuki Samurai hd wallpaper
Via: Automobilemag.com

Suzuki later undertook this company and the ON360 transformed into the 1970 LJ-10. This offering was privately imported into the States by the Marketing Head of Suzuki of the time. Its mediocre engine couldn't fancy the American landscape and was soon replaced by the Samurai, which clearly turned things around.

Related: 8 Best Foreign Off-Road Cars

Packed A Peppy 1.3L Inline-4 And Came With Standard 4x4

Suzuki Samurai engine bay view
Via: TopSpeed

Suzuki didn't bring about any changes in the mechanicals of the Samurai. It was powered by a carbureted 1.3L inline-4 motor that pumped out 63 hp and 74 lb-ft. Not clearly the most powerful figures, but its smooth-shifting 5-Speed manual gearbox and standard four-wheel-drive were the winning points.

Suzuki Samurai off-roading view
Via: Automobilemag.com

These attributes made it an avid off-roader which brought in all the attention and sales. As Suzuki was enjoying overwhelming sales and feedback for the Samurai they even put in efforts and introduced a two-wheel-drive system and a fuel-injected engine with 68 horses, to expand its horizon. But it didn't garner much attention.

But they did succeed with the introduction of a more road-friendly iteration in 1988. It was toned down with a softer suspension setup and a larger anti-sway bar to reduce the notorious body roll which it was known for. The RPM was increased and final gears lowered for better highway driveability.

Smaller Than Any Off-Roader Of The Time And Was A Rebadged Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Samurai cruising in the city
Via: Automobilemag.com

Suzuki renamed the LJ-10 as the Jimny in 1970 and it has managed to become a cult-icon around the world, thereafter. The second-gen Jimy was introduced in 1981 and it carried over to be introduced as the Suzuki Samurai in the US. It measured was quite a compact offering for an off-roader and so had its fair share of perks. Both the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ40, its rivals of the time, looked much bigger than the Suzuki.

Suzuki Samurai front third quarter view
Via: Automobilemag.com

With a length of 135 in., a width of 60.6 in., and a height of 64.6 in., the Suzuki Samurai was a nimble ride both on the roads and the trails. It weighed in at a nominal 2,059 lbs. which managed to compensate for its mediocre performance figures. It had a wheelbase of 80 inches which was notoriously criticized for its flimsy dynamics on the road. It was offered both as a soft-top and a hard-top model.

Related: 15 Sick Cars That Were Inspired By The Military

Suzuki Samurai Is Now A Guinness World Record Holder; And Managed To Roast Jeep While On It

Suzuki Samurai modified to climb the highest altitude
Via: Apollo.lv

Yes, the long lost Suzuki Samurai is currently the holder of a record for driving to the highest altitude by a car. Gonzalo Bravo and Eduardo Canales from Chile are the people who embarked on climbing 21,942 ft. on the slopes of Ojos Del Salado volcano, located in Atacama Chile on 21 April 2007. Their weapon of choice?! A modified 1986 Suzuki CSamuri that packed a supercharged G16A Inline-4 mill.

The previous record holders - Matthias Jeschke and team used a Jeep Wrangler to achieve the feat and mockingly put up a "Jeep Parking Only: All others don't make it up here anyway". Well, they were clearly wrong and The Samurai Team brought it back with them. This record is still unbeaten and Suzuki should clearly be proud of being a part of this feat.

Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword. A Comment Was The Reason For Samurai's Downfall

Suzuki Samurai rear third quarter view
Via: Automobilemag.com

Everything was going just fine for the Suzuki Samurai with impressive sales and widespread fame up until 1988. A very common pointer that brought the Samurai to the spotlight now and then was its gravely short wheelbase. This made it susceptible to rollovers. So, an employee of Consumer Reports gave it an 'unacceptable' rating after a test under normal driving conditions, as it rolled over the limit.

Suzuki Samurai cabin view
Via: Automobilemag.com

A comment "easily rolls over in turns" was also added which was the key reason for its downfall. Suzuki appealed to NHTSA to issue a recall but it was refused. But the statement spread quickly and thus started Samurai's downfall, with sales plummeting by 70% soon after. Suzuki Samurai could have been a force to reckon wit, if not for its premature exit. In fact, it could have easily dethroned Jeep Wrangler.

Sources: Topspeed.com, Hemmings.com, Hagerty.com, Wikipedia.com

Next: 15 Most Reliable 4x4's You Can Buy Under $20,000