Suzuki Cappuccino Goes For a Drive

[@grayfool]

The best car Suzuki ever made. I was working for a Suzuki dealer when these first appeared. I got to play with some of them and enjoyed every second. A truly brilliant car. The roof is very easy to use. Turn the levers and push to lower or pull to raise until you hear the click. The panels are just as easy, unlock the levers and lift to remove. Clip into place and lock the levers to replace, done. You should try and find a Swift GTi of the same period, they're hugely underrated.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Suzuki has so many coolest car made only Japanese 😢😮😮😅😊😊😊

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Samurai Escudo Cultus Alto works Wagon R

[@jamescarson6681]

Really enjoyed you taking a tour of pointing out the quirky talking points of this Japanese kei sportscar furiousdriving! I know that the pandemic has screwed many industries over but once things return to a positive direction, I hope Suzuki will develop a spiritual successor to this RWD manual kei car with doublewishbone suspension. Nowadays, Honda sells the successor of the 'NSX' + 'Beat' (S660), Toyota brought back the '86' + 'Supra' name, Nissan is bringing out their next 'Z' car, and the current generation of the Mazda MX-5 is one of the best its ever been in the history of MX-5s. And considering how well the Suzuki Swift Sport is, Suzuki still have the know-how to produce a sporty car that is fun-to-drive within legal speedlimits.

[@Bratfalken]

About my size! ...... I mean personally I'm as wide and heavy as the car! ;)

[@Nickoboss29]

The Cappuccino weights 725 kg... it's a bit too much for an human...

[@baguettemeister6032]

By the way the steering wheel actually does tilt and telescope! The handle is on the right side underneath of the wheel. When I found the switch on my car I felt like I just discovered Atlantis I was so excited lol

[@TurnMaster]

I have the late model one and no telescope

[@phil8437]

These are great cars. I have one! They are amazing to drive and really reliable. The engines are little gems (just change the oil and filter every 2000 miles or every 6 months which ever comes first). Only real bug bear is rust. You have to be checking all the time. I take the seats and carpet out of mine every year and have a thorough check around. But apart from that I love it. Thanks for a great review.

[@Jam3sA]

Absolutely love these little things. Way before Gran Turismo or Initial D were things, I remember reading a review of these in the CSMA Magazine in 94 (along with the then-new Peugeot 106 XSI 1.6). Had a soft spot for them ever since

[@GoldenCroc]

-92 for me I think. I remember the reviewer saying that you had to be very friendly with you passanger, as you were going to have lots of body contact becuse of the tight interior, voluntary or not.

[@HJPorschen]

For a few years I had a silver one. It was great fun, and one of the best cars I ever had. My all-time favoured is the Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite. The Cappuccino is a modern version of the Sprite.

[@njones420]

It's worth noting, the car has MUCH more flex when the roof is off and the back window is down...gives it quite a different driving feel. I've fitted several braces under the car, and in the boot/engine-bay to stiffen up the chassis, as well as lowered sport suspension and modern bushes. I love it as it drives like it's on rails now, but passengers not so much :)

[@alan-]

I'm an owner myself and agree with all that. Had mine 12 years now and autotest it regularly. Chassis braces are a must.

[@Nostalgicboii]

Brilliant cars apart from the rust issues! I did a POV drive recently and it just puts a massive smile on your face hearing the dump valve go choo choo!

[@d33b33]

We did get the Daihatsu Copen in Europe, which looks like a comically large shoe. This Suzuki is better though.

[@terrificspokesman7416]

Plus the Xopen is a 4 cylinder which means no cool noises and it's front wheel drive

[@Rickenbacker451]

Love the plain and elegant looking cockpit

[@neilmustow368]

Remember the Cappuccino at the NEC Motor show in 1992 very cute sports car great video Matty

[@furiousdriving]

I went to that show but dont remember it..I think I was stuck at the Alfa SZ

[@promerops]

That truck coming up behind at the start of the drive really gave me the willies! This has to be the spiritual successor to the Spridget. I'd love one.

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

I had even less room on my garage shelf ...so I got the Suzuki Espresso

[@jkk244]

Super review. I’m in the US and I’ve been thinking of importing a Cappuccino from Japan. I doubt I could ever hope to find one in as pristine a condition as the one you reviewed! Import rules here limit our choices to cars that are 25 or more years old. Of the interesting affordable stuff from Japan is this car or the Honda Beat.

[@grayfool]

Just do it. They are brilliant.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

No LHD tho. Might be a bit of a hassle in the US

[@grayfool]

@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt True, but it's so small that it takes up less road that a Harley.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@grayfool Hahaha too true. There are a few here in Australia but they still command reasonable money if you can find one.

[@furiousdriving]

Ive driven plenty of LHD (including American) cars here on RHD roads and its something you get used to very quickly, go for it!

[@TurnMaster]

Have one and love it, have the later model which has 17% more torque, timing chain instead of belt and alloy block. Big upgrades in the process.

[@alansimpson835]

A great recipe for a sports car. Compact, minimal overhangs, revvy engine, low centre of gravity and light and chuckable. I always fancied one but, as someone has already said, they do have a rust reputation. I remember a friend having one, checking the underside and accidentally putting his hand through it, so getting a good one at decent money must be hard. I wonder how the Daihatsu Copen compares. You look very at home in it too I must say

[@smilepermile888]

Just subscribed to your channel, really like your enthusiasm and as a half japanese person, I really commend your knowledge about the japanese car culture! You definitely deserve more subscribers, hopefully you can collaborate with some other car youtubers once lockdown eases 👍

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

I have to say ill never understand the Japanese car scene the way you guys STANCE cars and every bit of body scrapes on the road ...what's that all about?😎kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4rNkH-fjK9gi6c&ab_channel=blekinas

[@smilepermile888]

​@@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars Umm, just because that video has over 1 million views, don't put us all in that same camp by saying "the way you guys STANCE cars ". Those are the small minority of japanese that do that for attention in a conservative and collectivist culture. Its illegal in japan to have a car that the body of it is not at least 9cm off the ground because the 9cm limit is a 'safezone' that allows any car to go up steep inclines. Your comment would be an insult to every japanese tuning shops (Mine's, HKS, Yashio Factory, Spoon, J's Racing, Powerhouse Amuse, RE Amemiya etc) and race teams that loathe the 'STANCE' movement. Like with everything, its the bad things that stick out to people's attention more than the good.

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

@@smilepermile888 That's all cool ..and wasn't putting you all in the STANCE camp and in no way meant to offend anyone ..just was wondering what the motivation was after spending obviously many thousands of $ on their cars just to have it drag along the road ..and so get damaged real easy.

[@graceno162]

Great review! Just a couple of corrections. There is no leather in the car, just lookalike pvc seats, (quite convincing though). The steering wheel is adjustable vertically, you just didn't find the release lever. I have two original uk cappys in similar condition, they are brilliant! What's with the trim along the sides of your car, it's not original (unless it is a very rare option)?

[@mickdebrou9235]

Gorgeous little car, super cute exterior, really neat classy interior wish I had room for one in my life!

[@mokodorali5975]

30 year old design and it still looks fresh. The Japanese just have a wonderful knack of coming up with creative design and engineering, just a unique and special car market. The kei car class would be ideal for UK small city streets in places of the monstrous suvs that dominate and clog up roads with.

[@bcfairlie1]

THE best mini sports car ever. Take that MG Midget

[@russcattell955i]

I agree, spiritual successor to MG Midget & Austin Healy Sprite. My wife is 5 feet nothing short, she loves her current Swift but has fond memories of her Mazda MX3. she'd love one of these. Plenty roomy for her.

[@njones420]

I've got a photo of mine parked next to an MG Midget, they're near identical in proportions.

[@CoffeeMon87]

ah ...... I remember these well. In my younger days I lusted after one of these but changed my mind for exactly the observation Matt at the beginning of the video with the white truck. You feel so vulnerable with the lorries and big trucks around you. Travelling on the UK motorways would be a pure white knuckle ride to rival what the best theme parks can throw at you, if the lorries don't get you, then the crosswinds will certainly get you. These 'K' cars are only suitable for the cities and then I use the word 'suitable' with a pinch of salt.

[@martinclapton2724]

Excellent! These little cars always struck me as a pile of fun although I've never driven one. Very much following the tradition of fun on a budget from previous manufacturers , such as Honda's S800 - another high revolution screamer- , our own Austn Healey Sprites/ MG Midget and of course the Fiat 850 Sport/ Spider and later with the X1/9 from Italy. Modern motoring could do with a close eye on these models to recreate the "fun on a budget" theme. Great vid Matt.

[@keio5274]

You can adjust the steering wheel for angle and reach using a trigger under the steering column

[@davidhynd4435]

Why didn't they market these in Australia? The MX5 has sold here in significant numbers. I'd be very surprised if the Cappuccino couldn't have pinched some of those sales, especially had Suzuki priced it keenly enough. My experience with Suzuki cars is that they are well made with quite thrashable engines. My commuter car for a long time was a first-generation Suzuki Swift (But badged and sold new as 1st gen. Holden Barina). 1.3 litres, five speed box. I caned the daylights out that little 1.3 as it zinged its way around the tacho year after year. It just sat up, wagged its tail and begged for more. We still have it and my children have learned to drive in it, using it as a paddock basher. I don't think I'd want to have a prang in it, though. Micron thin panels and no airbags.

[@arrangrant6037]

Great review Matt now you need to review a Honda Bear👍

[@maxidyne]

Such a cute little car! They where even sold here, and only right hand drive. But that didn't hold people back to buy one. Where sold pretty good here. I always like them. Haven't seen one in years. Last one I saw was on a breakers yard. Great video Matt!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

I might have to grab a coffee to watch this little expresso of a car at lunchtime.

[@furiousdriving]

Or a vanilla latte lol

[@cornishrider]

Guess today it would be called The Skinny Latte! Drove a Diahatsu Copen at a test drive day once, this has aged far better, looks great nowadays, I'd really like one!

[@beetooex]

That's interesting. I always fancied a Copen. What don't you like about them?

[@gord307]

New word for today - Tea-shelfery - you heard it here first on Furiousdriving! The Japanese really do know how to make the most of space - super little car. Thank you for this morning's viewing :-)

[@GpLd]

A micro Dodge Viper! 😀 Great vid thanks.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Great review of a car I had never heard of, Matt. Keep up the good work. Seems like the engineers and designers subscribed to the notion that it is way more fun to drive a slow car fast rather than a fast car slow.

[@furiousdriving]

Definitely, and day to day it is!

[@stuartsaunders4518]

Always liked the look of these seems like it's great fun to drive too, brilliant video Matt

[@drpaulcampbell188]

At least this would be easy to park in a UK garage with its small size. I love the similarity with the British sports cars too. By the early 90s we were all into hot hatches and we were importing sports cars like this and the MX5. Great video as always.

[@gryfandjane]

Ticks all the right boxes for me, but as a long-time MG Midget owner, that’s no surprise! I’d love to try one out, but I’ve never seen one here in the USA, alas.

[@user-itschad1954]

Loved them, wanted to buy one but had children so couldn't. No room inside for anything, the driver and passenger were the crumple zones. Car has character by the shed load.

[@CortinasAndClassics]

I always wanted one of these.

[@ianrodgers5178]

I drive a 1961 frogeye, so I know how you feel when these modern trucks come up behind you or by your side the frog is 2032mm long and 1346mm wide. Keep up the great videos

[@GoldenCroc]

2032mm.. I think that might be the wheelbase haha...Thats more or less exactly the same overall length as a reasonably compact motorcycle. Dont think the Sprite is quite that small... EDIT: Yep its about 3.5 meter overall, actually about 7 inches more than the car in this video.

[@ianrodgers5178]

@@GoldenCroc yep you are so correct. Wow that car is small. All the best

[@NeoNeko99]

Always loved these! Nice vid as always 🙂

[@fritzkuhne2055]

this car is goals for me

[@Alexifeu]

You talked about coffee in the SUZUKI CAPPUCCINO. Ofc you have to drink Cappuccino lol.

[@reghollisquimdribbler737]

Stunning wee thing.

[@darthvirago]

Great little car, most have gone now as they were prone to rust badly.

[@mickles1975]

Mazda made an MGB successor and Suzuki made a Midget successor.

[@beetooex]

If only Rover had done the same...

[@Tourist1967]

@@beetooex Alas, no money for development.....................Even British Leyland had some great prototypes, but never enough cash.

[@irvb9881]

Having had an MG Midget, Mini & Fiat 500 I can see a Cappuccino in my future at some point.

[@danieljames2015]

1994? This little beauty still looks amazingly contemporary and with a few small updates would sell out even today. If MG had not gone down , I could see them producing something like this as a descendant of the Midget. Great review.

[@turquoisecat761]

Like these and that rev counter to 12 is a novelty. There was one of these in my home town years ago always parked in same place, for some reason I remember it as yellow, but I guess it must have been red or silver lol. Thanks.

[@GoldenCroc]

Import maybe? As those were availible with more colors. Yellow was also a popular color for the Honda Beat I think, but I dont think you would confuse them.

[@Bratfalken]

Ehum... where would you place the second passenger? ;)

[@Everything_Evan]

Wouldn't be 50/50 weight distribution with my missus in the passenger seat.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Matt,nice review of the Suzuki Cappacino,these are small cars,but it goes alright.

[@timbre7999]

Gorgeous little car, I love it!

[@doktoruzo]

wow, that looks like brand new. Great little car.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Liked the reference to the Tunnocks Tea Cakes on the tea shelf, what a funky wee car, excellent review as always as Hubnut would power less is more!

[@jamieogorman9461]

Remember wanting one when they first came out

[@TheRobynhud]

Lookin very slick there

[@markwright3161]

0:57 That shot looks like when people mess around with perspective to make toy/model cars look full sized but here they didn't quite get it to work, still a little too small, but it's a real car :)

[@Mirage8v]

Love the car, but with me at 1.98 metres and a lack of LHD ones, it's unfortunately not for me :(

[@sandeepsehmi347]

I like Tunnocks Caramel, a nice utilitarian brick-like quality. The jam and mallow in the teacakes could cause a terrible mess.

[@devlad]

Not sure if you guys can import the S660 over there, but it's a great little unit

[@forresten]

WANT. (Nice one, Matt! A pity that you could not show us the roof .. oh well - more surprises in real life. Drive furious, stay safe!)

[@mpersad]

What an innovative design. Great video as always!

[@trevdean540]

90s frog eye sprite. Very cool.

[@theodor12]

I really like these things and I would love to drive one but I'm not sure I would fit. I'm 191cm or 6'3'' with long legs. Do any tall people have experience with these?

[@antonioercolino6087]

At 6ft 3in you would struggle to get in this car. I'm 5ft 8in and just felt it OK. 👍

[@manofthehour6856]

YES! I agree completely with the "proper sports car". I have seen some "gray market" imports for sale here in the US, and would LOVE this, but if the British refer to it as tiny, it's that much more unsafe driving on American roads where there is a surfeit of vehicles with excessive size and a paucity of driving discipline. But man, love this thing!!!!

[@manofthehour6856]

PS, furiousdriving is my favorite enthusiast channel on youtube as the cars are extremely interesting "extraorinary ordinary" cars, and the narrative is always straightforward, factual, and balanced. Its a channel for adults, and not something where the car becomes an object of scorn or derision. Thanks, as usual!!!!

[@GoldenCroc]

@@manofthehour6856 Very true, its great.

[@GoldenCroc]

This and the AZ1 are dreams for me, would buy in a heartbeat if I had the cash and storage space. Maybe a nice K car van as well... and maybe a K pickup. And maybe a Minica Dangan ZZ...

[@rogerhudson9732]

A wonderful car, pity the factory didn't underseal the steel chassis. An appreciating classic, if you can find one. Not to be driven in a leather coat plus hoody though, just merino wool jumper, slacks and proper thin driving shoes help.

[@shauntvr4312]

These cars are great fun

[@timhancock6626]

Anybody else think that this is what the MG Midget should have evolved into. The Cappuccino is a truly lovely little sports car. That one is a total gem in perfect condition. Doing a tea shelf check is an insult to the car I have to say.

[@zzhughesd]

Own one. And an XL1. All good

[@WarriorRazor]

Autozam AZ-1 is the kei car for me! Proper little race car.

[@neilwalsh4058]

Uber cool little car, mate of mine had 2 of them about 20 years ago while I was running around in comparatively huge Fiat X1/9's. Was that a proper Cherokee you spotted, the 90's XJ model? Had a couple of those too recently, great fun and very compitant off road.

[@alchapman1052]

Most be the smallest cc sports car around but doesn't detract from the fact it's a nice looking car.

[@maxgreece1]

Would be interesting to compare this with the Smart Roadster which is a similar idea but with a European tilt. Some of those were scary fast. They did a Brabus version that was bonkers for the time.

[@brianiswrong]

At 8:52 Did you feel better after that😀 Go on tell me it's the seat.

[@furiousdriving]

haha never wear leather on leather..

[@robertsedgwick1629]

maybe you need a mokka to test the tea shelf!

[@RichieRouge206]

These are such cool cars, they look fresh even now and the details to attention and styling are amazing. I doubt I'd ever fit in one being 6'4" with size 13 feet lol. That Clarion would look amazing in the Volvo haha. But I still want one. Ian tested a yellow one in Australia I believe. And just think how much Battenburg cake you could fit on that rear shelf?. Great review Matt

[@kevinnye5132]

Noddy and Big ears car comes to mind , but Big ears would have to RUN alongside because no way would they both fit in that 😉. Did they sell them in pairs ? So you have one for each foot ? Like roller skates 🛼. Interesting car though 👍🏻

[@bequanis]

Bros outfit was styled fr. Cool review, all the same.

[@tonys1636]

Having been named after a frothy coffee they could have done some in Magnolia or a light tan. It is tiny inside as apart from Sumo Wrestlers the Japanese are a small race of people so it is fine for them or even myself as a small 5' 2.5" person.

[@byronmills5952]

Wonderful cars. Such a shame they were so poorly rustproofed. 😢

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Judging by his excitement Suzuki must be the largest small car manufacturer in the UK.

[@decayofalberta1520]

I noticed the change of two different tea cups.

[@DashCamSerbia]

Nice leather jacket. (I like leather jackets). I bought one just a few hours ago. :D

[@robenglish416]

Love that car! Didn't HubNut drive a Daihatsu equivalent! Why can't they build cars like this today? Oh I guess they can - in Japan! Love Kei cars!

[@LeftIsBest001]

I was hoping they sold these in Australia, but it doesnt look like they did.

[@AntonyThorburn]

Thats so nice.

[@saulcontrerasOfficial]

I think I could fit a trumpet case in the back.

[@furiousdriving]

thats a niche unit of measurement

[@くるまとらじろう-c9o]

Hello from japan 🙌🙋

[@DashCamSerbia]

14 inch wheels? That is big. My 1991. Yugo 45 had 155/70 R13 wheels. Or even maybe 145. xD

[@jimmyj1969]

We never had these k-car sport cars in continental Europe (except Copen)- I guess the cost of converting them into left-hand-drive didn't worth the prospected profit...

[@lotusgroup123]

Surely this has a Hot Coffee shelf Matt..?

[@pjclark8624]

Trim level made me smile; 'BA', does that mean the lowest trim level was 'FA'?

[@mattbedford875]

Jeez you posted this at 5am UK?!😂

[@bcfairlie1]

You,mentioned 3,cylinder twice in one sentence. Does,that mean that it is actually 6 cylinder?

[@furiousdriving]

yup, straight through to the handbrake!

[@neilsheppard6673]

I want one!

[@alexander1485]

So he never says dash board?

[@tigarturner1877]

The most fun car I eva drove.. I had to settle for a Tigra instead

[@lotusgroup123]

Small is Beautiful 😍

[@Ricketik65]

That glove box looks just about big enough for ... a pair of gloves!