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2009 Suzuki Equator Mid-Sized Pickup Truck
Suzuki Equator is a joint venture between Nissan USA and Suzuki.
2009 Suzuki Equator - enlargeSuzuki introduced the 2009 Equator as the manufacturer's first mid-size pickup truck. It is part of the Japanese company's effort to expand its product line in order to bring in customers who would not consider purchasing a Suzuki product in the past. Equator offers a combination of contemporary style, utility, comfort and Suzuki's famous off-road capability - which many truck buyers want. As- many are already Suzuki motorcycle, ATV and marine products owners and loyalists, the company hopes a pickup truck in its line will motivate more interest.
The Suzuki Equator is already winning awards. It has been named 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine's "4X4 of the Year," for 2009.
The 2009 Equator was developed as a joint venture with Suzuki and Nissan North America. It is built at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee truck plant. Equator shares its platform with the popular Nissan Frontier pickup truck and the Xterra Sport Utility Vehicle.
2009 Equator is available in both 2-door Extended Cab and four-door Crew Cab body styles with either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive (4WD) power train configurations. Both short and long payload beds are available.
There are two engine options, a standard 2.5-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque, or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing 261 horsepower with 281 lb.-ft. of torque.
Exterior Styling
The Suzuki Equator is similar to the Nissan Frontier Pickup Truck and is built in the same factory.
2009 Suzuki Equator Exterior - enlargeThere is little about the styling of the Suzuki Equator that separates it from the Nissan Frontier. The only real styling differences between them is Equator's large, honeycomb, front grille with the large Suzuki "S" logo in the center-front bumper, and the headlight treatment and tailgate details. The styling is more utilitarian, than high fashion, which is appropriate for a working vehicle. It looks big for its class, and gives the impression of being strong and rugged - something important to truck buyers.
The 2009 Suzuki Equator's versatile cargo bed has a factory-applied, sprayed-on bed liner, and an innovative tie-down cargo system. The tie-down system employs five special "C" cross-section rails mounted in the bed. (There are two channels in the bed floor, one on each of the bed's side rails and another in the bed header panel.) Removable utility cleats slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attachment points for securing cargo. A full range of accessories are available for use with the channel system, along with specialized bed accessories that make securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV easier than in many competitive trucks. This is a big selling point for those who need to secure heavy, or awkward, loads in their trucks.
