The Equator arrived for 2009 as Suzuki’s first venture into the compact pickup market. The truck is built by Nissan and features mostly Frontier hardware, but Suzuki had plenty of input in its styling. The fully-loaded Equator isn’t a luxurious model, but it does come in the RMZ-4 off-road package. The RMZ-4 features a moonroof, Dana 44 axles, electronic rear-locking differential, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, BFG Rugged Trail T/A tires, unique seat trim with red stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Equator is available as an extended cab only in two-wheel drive and as a crew cab in 4×2 or 4×4 configurations. The base engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. A 4.0-liter V-6 engine is available in the extended cab and standard in the crew cab. There’s a choice of Base or Premium trims in the extended cab inline-four-cylinder models; the V-6 comes in a Sport trim. The crew cab is available in Base or Sport with two-wheel drive, and four-wheel-drive models are available in either Sport or the off-road RMZ-4. All extended cabs have a 6-foot-long cargo bed, while the crew cab comes with a 5- or 6-foot bed.
There are no significant changes for 2011.
The hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers and tailgate are exclusive to Suzuki. The bed comes with a factory spray-on bedliner and an adjustable tie-down system. The prominent Suzuki badge on the honeycomb three-bar grille distinguishes the Equator. Exterior features include:
- Chrome door handles on RMZ-4
- Tow hitch optional on all trims
- 16-inch alloy wheels on RMZ-4
- Available 17-inch alloy wheels on other V-6 models
Only those opting for four-wheel drive will get all of the Equator’s interior frills. The RMZ-4 package includes chrome trim on the instrument panel, more adjustments in the driver’s seat and upgraded seat material. The Sport 4×4 and RMZ-4 get a premium eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo system with subwoofer. All trucks come with bucket seats and a center console. The base audio system, which is standard in two-wheel-drive Equators, doesn’t include an auxiliary jack to accommodate MP3 players. Interior features include:
- Available hands-free Bluetooth connectivity
- Optional Rockford Fosgate audio system
- Sport, RMZ-4 packages have only one 12-volt outlet, others have two
- RMZ-4 gets illuminated ignition key cylinder
Engine and transmission configurations include:
- 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder, aluminum block/cylinder head, DOHC, four valves per cylinder with 171 pounds-feet of peak torque
- 261-hp, 4.0-liter V-6, aluminum block/cylinder head, DOHC, four valves per cylinder with 281 pounds-feet of peak torque
- Five-speed manual available only in base extended cab 4×2 with inline-four engine
- Five-speed automatic standard in all other inline-four and all V-6 models
- Electronically controlled part-time four-wheel-drive transfer case
Suzuki also takes advantage of Nissan’s electronic brake controls, such as active limited-slip traction control, electronic stability system, hill descent control and hill start assist. Hill descent control helps maintain a slow, steady speed down steep hills so the driver can concentrate on steering. Hill start assist helps keep the truck from rolling back on a steep hill when the driver moves from the brake pedal to the gas pedal. Safety features include:
- Standard seat-mounted side-impact airbags
- Standard side curtain airbags
Extended cab
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Gross vehicle weight rating: 4,690 pounds (I-4), 5,577 pounds (V-6)
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Maximum payload: 986 pounds (I-4 manual), 883 pounds (I-4 automatic), 1,461 pounds (V-6)
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Maximum towing capacity: 3,500 pounds (I-4), 6,500 pounds (V-6)
Crew cab
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GVW: 5,730 pounds (4×2), 5,816 pounds (4×4 Sport), 5,600 pounds (4×4 RMZ-4)
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Maximum payload: 1,471 pounds (4×2 short bed), 1,423 pounds (4×2 long bed), 1,382 pounds (4×4 Sport short bed), 1,293 pounds (4×4 Sport long bed), 1,105 pounds (4×4 RMZ-4)
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Maximum towing capacity: 6,300 pounds (4×2), 6,100 pounds (4×4)
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Transfer case low range: 2.625:1
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Crawl ratio: 33.86:1
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Axle ratio: 4.083:1 (I-4 manual), 3.916:1 (I-4 automatic), 3.133:1 (V-6 4×2), 3.357:1 (V-6 4×4)
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Minimum ground clearance: 10.1 inches (4×4 RMZ-4 at rear differential)
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Approach angle: 32.6 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
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Departure angle: 23.3 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
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Ramp breakover: 20.5 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
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Cargo floor length: 73.3 inches (long bed), 59.5 inches (short bed)
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Cargo floor width: 61.4 inches
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Cargo floor width at wheel well: 44.4 inches
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Cargo bed depth: 18 inches
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