The SUVs of the 1990s were brutal, impressive, and adorable! They were effortless off-roaders of all kinds. Often, these off-road vehicles painted the inscription: “tanks are not afraid of dirt!” Let’s remember these legendary vehicles of the wild 90’s, which nowadays can handicap modern models, especially in the conditions of the emptied crisis market.
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Land Rover Discovery I
This car was produced from 1989 to 1998. As the “heart” of it firstly had a turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 2.5 liters of 107 hp. Later, the capacity has been increased up to 122 hp. There were models that were equipped with gasoline engines, the most popular was 3.5 liter V8 engine with an output of 144 hp. The engines were equipped with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle was equipped with uncut axles and permanent all-wheel drive.
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover brand vehicles have always been known for their unsurpassed quality and instant adaptation to consumer demands. When the new Land Rover Discovery was introduced, the company chose its classic all-terrain vehicle Defender for model identification.
This version immediately gained popularity. Under the hood, a 2.8-liter BMW I6 M52B28 gasoline engine was put, aggregated with five-band transmission LT77 or four-speed “automatic” ZF 4HP22. This all-terrain vehicle has become a recognized classic of the brand.
Toyota RAV4
This SUV was immediately well received and has been considered one of the most prestigious for several decades. It is powerful enough to cross rough terrain, and at the same time elegant enough to look good on city streets. In the 1990s, rugged and reliable Toyota RAV4s were produced.
Mechanics point out that the only thing that happens in used cars of this brand is oil leaks. And the bulletproofness of this car is legendary! It is noteworthy that the price for it is quite affordable, and this is taking into account the fact that in many respects the 20-year-old SUV surpasses modern SUVs.
Toyota Land Cruiser 80
The Toyota Land Cruiser 80 SUV was produced between 1990 and 1998. If you compare it to the previous LC 60-series model, it was a real revolutionary breakthrough with a new design, an increased length to 482 cm and up to 285 cm wheelbase, and a spring suspension instead of a leaf spring suspension.
The dashboard was under the stylish visor, but the gauges looked traditional with arrow indicators, which suited the image of a brutal all-terrain vehicle. But the basic version was not comfortable and luxurious. It had no air conditioner and power windows, the seats were not even fabric, but dermantin. The luxury versions are another matter. It had all what the base versions did not have, and in addition the wings of unique shape.
As for the power plants, which were equipped with Toyota Land Cruiser 80, they were inline six-cylinder gasoline or diesel units. In our country was mainly supplied with an atmospheric diesel engine with a capacity of 4.2 liters and a capacity of 130 hp. Later on there were turbocharged versions with output of 165 hp and 170 hp. Transmission – five-speed manual or four-speed manual.
Hummer H1
The legendary Hummer is based on the M998, originally it was positioned for military purposes. Its unsurpassed off-road performance on heavy terrain suited the purpose of military missions in high-risk environments. Inspired by the success of the unstoppable monster, the designers created a civilian version.
It was powered by a Detroit Diesel 6.2-liter V-8 coupled to a GM TH400/3L80 three-speed automatic transmission. In the city this huge machine was inconvenient to park, but with what a proud look it crossed the streets of metropolitan cities! And no one could compete with it off-road.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The first release of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 Series occurred in 1990. The engine lineup could boast of its breadth. The popular 300 GE and 300 GD models had a 170 hp 3.0 liter engine, and a 136 hp 3.5 liter diesel. But Russian motorists liked the 500 GE more. It is equipped with a gasoline V8 engine with a capacity of 5.0 liters and 240 hp.
Initially, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, like the Hummer, was created as a military vehicle. But it quickly became part of the civilian world. This car by its endurance, reliability and cross-country ability was a serious competitor to the Land Rover.
The engine lineup included both small four-cylinder units and voluminous V12s. “Gelik”, as this SUV was affectionately called, had all-wheel drive and active lockable differentials. They made cross-country driving easy and comfortable. Fans of the G-Wagon appreciate it not only for its off-road performance, but also for its luxurious, brutal appearance. This is, without a doubt, a car legend of the 90’s generation!
Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
This legendary Jeep was produced from 1993 to 1998. In the first generation, the car could not boast enormous size – its length was only 4.5 m. But car enthusiasts appreciated it for its texture and equipment. By the way, for European market the Americans used to supply economical models with 2.5 liter 115 hp diesel engine, but Russian motorists didn’t like such version.
Appearance of Grand Cherokee is angular, belligerent and insolent. Gasoline six-cylinder engine with capacity of 4,0 L or 5,2 L and capacity of 180 hp or 212 hp, respectively – that’s what our consumers have appreciated. Even the absence of a full-fledged frame did not embarrass.
Such a car could accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds. For that time it was an excellent indicator, especially compared to SUVs of other brands. The Limited configuration included:
- air conditioning;
- ABS system;
- electric package;
- on-board computer;
- cruise control;
- interior trim – leather with wood.
Since 1997, they began producing Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 5.9-liter engine rated at 241 hp. And although the giant was not heavily tuned, unlike others, it became a real hero of the 1990s.
Ford Explorer II
The Ford Explorer II SUV was produced between 1995 and 2001. The basic version was equipped with a 4.0-liter, 205-horsepower V6 gasoline engine. But the most popular was the version with a 5.0-liter power unit rated at 215 hp, aggregated with a five-band automatic transmission.
Chevrolet Suburban
This car was produced from 1992 to 1999. The name Suburban means “suburban”. Cars under this name began to be produced back in the 1930s. These were compact buses on truck chassis, designed for business trips. The first bodies were made of wood, and only later they began to produce an all-metal body.
But back to the 1990s Chevrolet Suburban, the ninth generation of Suburban. It was no secret to our motorists that Americans respect big cars. But the length of this SUV of 5,6 m managed to surprise Russian drivers. Such a monster could not fit in the Soviet garages. The luggage compartment held extra seats in the folded form, but still left enough space for luggage.
The American monster was equipped with a 5.7 liter 250 hp V8 gasoline engine, or a 7.4 liter 290 hp engine. Transmission was a hydromechanical four-speed automatic transmission. Payload is over 1 ton, and the allowed mass of a blocked trailer is almost 3 tons. The interior could boast a monumental dash panel.
In the U.S., Chevrolet Suburban was actively used by private and commercial owners, and even worked in presidential motorcades. It didn’t gained much popularity in our country, since it turned out to be too bulky for some purposes, and not too tough for others. But still it has occupied its niche, so not to mention it.
Nissan Patrol GR Y60
This legendary SUV was produced from 1987 to 1997. Its difference from other all-terrain vehicles of the time was in a 4.2-liter diesel power unit with 124 hp. It was a super reliable, unpretentious vehicle, which did not cause difficulties in maintenance and repair.
Despite their age, these off-roaders are sturdy and reliable. They laid down a layer of new automotive civilization and broad trends in tuning. They had a manly beauty, a triumph of “iron,” but at the same time they were not devoid of electronic equipment: stereo, air conditioning, electric package.