2011
Suzuki Equator

Starts at:
$17,595
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New 2011 Suzuki Equator
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2WD Ext Cab I4 Man
    Starts at
    $17,595
    19 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,004 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 2WD Ext Cab I4 Auto Premium
    Starts at
    $22,379
    17 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    889 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 2WD Crew Cab V6 Auto Sport
    Starts at
    $25,079
    15 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    -4,282 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4WD Ext Cab V6 Auto Sport
    Starts at
    $25,779
    15 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,396 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4WD Crew Cab V6 Auto Sport Long Bed
    Starts at
    $28,079
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,298 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • 4WD Crew Cab V6 Auto RMZ-4
    Starts at
    $28,950
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,109 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2011 Suzuki Equator 2011 Suzuki Equator 2011 Suzuki Equator 2011 Suzuki Equator 2011 Suzuki Equator 2011 Suzuki Equator

Notable features

First compact pickup offered by Suzuki
Based on Nissan Frontier platform
Front hood, fenders, grille and bumpers different from Frontier

The good & the bad

The good

100,000-mile/seven-year powertrain limited warranty
Styling easily distinguishes it from Frontier
Removable GPS developed by Garmin
Aggressive RMZ-4 off-road package
Utility-minded cargo bed

The bad

No six-speed manual transmission for off-road package or V-6 engine option
No 4x4 extended cab
Tow package should be standard on RMZ-4
No auxiliary jack for MP3 players in base audio systems
See all specifications

Expert 2011 Suzuki Equator review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

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.

New for 2011
There are no significant changes for 2011.

Exterior
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

Interior
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

Under the hood
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

Safety
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

Of interest to truck owners
Extended cab

  • Gross vehicle weight rating: 4,690 pounds (I-4), 5,577 pounds (V-6)
  • Maximum payload: 986 pounds (I-4 manual), 883 pounds (I-4 automatic), 1,461 pounds (V-6)
  • Maximum towing capacity: 3,500 pounds (I-4), 6,500 pounds (V-6)

Crew cab

  • GVW: 5,730 pounds (4×2), 5,816 pounds (4×4 Sport), 5,600 pounds (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • 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)
  • Maximum towing capacity: 6,300 pounds (4×2), 6,100 pounds (4×4)

 

  • Transfer case low range: 2.625:1
  • Crawl ratio: 33.86:1
  • 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)
  • Minimum ground clearance: 10.1 inches (4×4 RMZ-4 at rear differential)
  • Approach angle: 32.6 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Departure angle: 23.3 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Ramp breakover: 20.5 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Cargo floor length: 73.3 inches (long bed), 59.5 inches (short bed)
  • Cargo floor width: 61.4 inches
  • Cargo floor width at wheel well: 44.4 inches
  • Cargo bed depth: 18 inches

 

2011 Suzuki Equator review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

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.

New for 2011
There are no significant changes for 2011.

Exterior
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

Interior
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

Under the hood
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

Safety
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

Of interest to truck owners
Extended cab

  • Gross vehicle weight rating: 4,690 pounds (I-4), 5,577 pounds (V-6)
  • Maximum payload: 986 pounds (I-4 manual), 883 pounds (I-4 automatic), 1,461 pounds (V-6)
  • Maximum towing capacity: 3,500 pounds (I-4), 6,500 pounds (V-6)

Crew cab

  • GVW: 5,730 pounds (4×2), 5,816 pounds (4×4 Sport), 5,600 pounds (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • 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)
  • Maximum towing capacity: 6,300 pounds (4×2), 6,100 pounds (4×4)

 

  • Transfer case low range: 2.625:1
  • Crawl ratio: 33.86:1
  • 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)
  • Minimum ground clearance: 10.1 inches (4×4 RMZ-4 at rear differential)
  • Approach angle: 32.6 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Departure angle: 23.3 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Ramp breakover: 20.5 degrees (4×4 RMZ-4)
  • Cargo floor length: 73.3 inches (long bed), 59.5 inches (short bed)
  • Cargo floor width: 61.4 inches
  • Cargo floor width at wheel well: 44.4 inches
  • Cargo bed depth: 18 inches

 

Safety review

Based on the 2011 Suzuki Equator base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Rollover rating
4/5
13.3%
Risk of rollover
13.3%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Consumer reviews

87% of drivers recommend this car
4.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.4
Performance 5.0
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • By VonS from Glendale, AZ
    Owns this car
    October 10, 2017

    Not a bad buy for the money.

    Good leg room, the styling is pretty pleasing, decent gas mileage, very functional ( it's a truck, right? ), great performance on the road.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Maddog Marty from Orange County, CA
    Owns this car
    June 2, 2017

    50,000 miles and still drives like new!

    I really like this truck...it is a Nissan Frontier in Suzuki bodywork, of course, but it is a wonderful truck. I have the RMZ-4 model in bright red. It has been outside 24/7/365 and the red is still bright and the truck looks new. I get compliments on it all the time. Very reliable with an exception of the positive battery cable going bad and I had to replace it out of warranty.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Practical car shopper from Hartsville, SC
    Owns this car
    November 14, 2013

    Great Truck for the Money

    Mid Size truck that sits five comfortably. Drives and handles well, comfortably, quit ride. Has all the interior features that I need, including eluminating interior lights. Better gas mileage than the big size trucks. Has the best sporty look among all pick up truck designs.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By luv my truck from Llanesboro MA
    Owns this car
    January 2, 2013

    Most comfortable truck I have owned

    Great highway ride. Plenty of power and cruised along acheiving 22mpg with a v-6 and a tonneau cover. Truck feels solid all the way around AND HAS HIGH SAFETY RATINGS. Paying less FOR INSURANCE than I did for my 2001 truck. Comfortable seats, good road clearance and visibility while driving. Would recommend if you can find one and have a dealer close by.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Suzuki! from Joliet Il
    Owns this car
    November 29, 2011

    This Is the best priced Pickup truck ever!

    This truck only lacks fuel effiency but other then that what more could you ask of? The Suzuki RMZ4 is the best 260 hp
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Off-roading
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Bob from alaska
    Owns this car
    September 4, 2011

    ok truck

    good truck but looks way to much like the nissan frontier. good towing but is bad on fuel compared to most trucks i've had . i did not feel comtrable because of that nissan frontier thing
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Towing
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By dogs72 from Iowa
    Owns this car
    August 3, 2011

    Nice riding and nice looking truck.

    I love this truck. The price and amenities are near perfect. Trucks should not require a "mortgage" payment yet should be durable. My only suggested improvements would be lighted cruise control components and Ipod or MP3 jacks. Great looking truck!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By JuJu from Joliet Illinois
    Owns this car
    January 7, 2011

    Very Good Truck

    We just bought this exact one! Runs great is heavy duty. Comfortable. I highly recommend this truck. There aint many like this one around!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all reviews

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2011 Suzuki Equator?

The 2011 Suzuki Equator is available in 4 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • Premium (1 style)
  • RMZ-4 (1 style)
  • Sport (3 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2011 Suzuki Equator?

The 2011 Suzuki Equator offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 23 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2011 Suzuki Equator reliable?

The 2011 Suzuki Equator has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2011 Suzuki Equator owners.

Is the 2011 Suzuki Equator a good Truck?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2011 Suzuki Equator. 87.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 5.0
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.9
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