2009 Suzuki Equator. Some may question the wisdom of introducing a new pickup truck at a time when environmental and economic concerns have many buyers choosing smaller vehicles. However, from Suzukis perspective their new mid-size Equator pickup makes plenty of sense. Fans of Suzukis ATVs and motorcycles now have a way to haul their toys without leaving the Suzuki brand.

Based on current market demands, Suzuki expects the Equator to sell in modest numbers. Perhaps with this in mind, Suzuki chose to partner with Nissan, offering a lightly modified version of the Nissan Frontier rather than developing their truck from the ground up.

The Suzuki Equator is a mid-size pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier and assembled by Nissan.[1] The Suzuki Equator is first sold in the US for the 2009 model year with MSRP prices starting at $17,220, and was first shown at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

The Equator is offered in Extended Cab and Crew Cab styles, the former offering space for four and the latter for five passengers. In the Canadian market, the Equator is only offered in the Crew Cab configuration, in a single trim level.

Power on base Extended Cab models comes from a 4-cylinder engine. A V6 is optional on Extended Cab models and standard with the Crew Cab. Both engines are supplied by Nissan.

The base 2.5 L Inline-4 produces 152 hp (113 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 171 lb·ft (232 N·m) at 4,400 rpm, and sends its power to the rear wheels only. Except for base trim, which gets a five-speed manual transmission, the 4-cylinder is mated to a five-speed automatic.

The 4.0 L V6 engine develops 261 hp (195 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 281 lb·ft (381 N·m) at 4,000 rpm.[2] It comes standard with a five-speed automatic and is available with all-wheel-drive.

The Equator recently triumphed over the new Dodge Ram 1500, 2009 Ford F150, Hummer H3 Alpha and H3T Adventure, Kia Borrego EX V8, and Toyota Sequoia Platinum in Peterson's 4Wheel & Off-Road's 2009 4x4 of the Year.