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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $19,299 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 3686 |
| City (MPG) | 19 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 23 |
| Horsepower | 152@5200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 171@4400 |
| Wheelbase | 125.9 |
| Length (in.) | 206.6 |
| Width (in.) | 72.8 |
| Height (in.) | 68.7 |
Suzuki first unveiled its Equator pickup truck back at the Chicago Auto Show in 2008, and has been on-sale since the 2009 model year. Based on the Nissan Frontier, this new truck is intended to help current Suzuki owners -- that is owners of Suzuki motorcycles, ATV and marine engines -- transport their toys to wherever they need to go.
Despite the decline in the U.S. truck market, Suzuki feels that its potential customers see a truck as a necessity rather than an extra. According to Suzuki, owners of motorcycles, ATVs and boats are 50 percent more likely to own a pickup than the average household. That stat does seem to make sense as owners of recreational vehicles would tend to need a vehicle that could get them and their toys to wherever they needed -- they're just currently using another brand's truck for their transportation needs.
A key component for most truck owners is power, while for others it is a blend of power and fuel economy. To address that, Suzuki offers the Equator with either a 152 horsepower, 171 lb-ft of torque four-cylinder, or a 4.0-liter V6 that cranks out 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque.
The four-banger comes standard with a five-speed manual, rated at 19 city and 23 highway miles per gallon. Opting for a five-speed automatic will drop mileage to 17 city and 22 highway mpg.
Selecting the more powerful V6 will hit the wallet when it comes time to fill up, with city fuel economy rated at 15/20 mpg. The V6 is only available with 4WD and the five-speed auto.
The Equator features disc brakes front and year as standard, as well as anti-lock brakes (ABS), and depending on trim level it offers Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle dynamic Control (VDC), Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, limited-slip differential for two- and four-wheel drive.
Wheel and tire combos vary from 15-inch steel wheels on the base model, to available 16- or 17-inch wheels wrapped in either BF-Goodrich Long Trail or Rugged Trail tires.
The truck can be had in a few configurations, with short or long beds, and either Extended Cab - seats four - or Crew Cab - seats five. Cab configuration carries a significant difference in price, with roughly $6,500 grand separating the two. The difference in price can be explained by the standard 4.0-liter V6, and many other features on the Crew Cab.
The Equator's interior strikes a balance between pickup truck function and comfort, with both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles featuring flip-up rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat and removable storage boxes tucked beneath the rear seats to provide additional cargo capacity.
Additional convenience features include a dual glove box with locking lower compartment and center console storage with power outlet. A number of power points and cupholders, including one-liter bottle storage in the front doors, are standard throughout the cabin. The Premium, Sport and RMZ-4 packages include standard power mirrors, door locks and windows, cruise control and remote keyless entry.
The Equator Crew Cab RMZ-4 with Sport package takes it one step farther with a factory-installed moonroof. An exclusive moto-style bed extender increases cargo room for hauling dirt bikes and other gear, and off-road capability is enhanced with the addition of Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control.
On the inside, the Sport upgrade adds a 380-watt Rockford-Fosgate AM/FM/6CD/XM Satellite Radio with eight high-performance speakers plus subwoofer, an auxiliary input jack and Bluetooth capability. Bluetooth and audio controls are located on the steering wheel so drivers can keep their eyes on the road or trail.
Safety features include six airbags, a tire-pressure monitor, ABS and traction and stability control systems.
Key competitors
The list of competitors the Equator is faced with continues to shrink, along with overall sales in the midsize and compact pickup segments, but those who remain, such as the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier (on which the Equator is directly based) continue to command the lion's share of the market. The GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline also compete within the same space, albeit at different ends of the spectrum.
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- General
- Body Style: Pickup Truck
- Size: Compact
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 3686 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 206.6 in.
- Width: 72.8 in.
- Height: 68.7 in.
- Wheelbase: 125.9 in.
- Ground Clearance: 8.7 in.
- Front Track: 61.8 in.
- Rear Track: 61.8 in.
- Weight Distribution: 54/46
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 4
- Passenger Volume: 87.7 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 33.5 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: 56.8 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 42.4 in.
- Head Room: 39.7 in.
- Shoulder Room: 58.3 in.
- Hip Room: 55.8 in.
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- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: 30.9 cu. ft.
- Leg Room: 25.4 in.
- Head Room: 38.3 in.
- Shoulder Room: 54.9 in.
- Hip Room: 55.0 in.
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 2.5L I4
- Power: 152 hp @ 5200 rpm
- Torque: 171 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 23 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 19 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
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- Chassis
- Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Solid Axle
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- Wheels
- Front: 15" Steel
- Front Tires: P235/75R15
- Rear: 15" Steel
- Rear Tires: P235/75R15
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: 3500 lbs
- Payload: 986
- Tongue Weight: 350 lbs
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