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2009 Suzuki Equator Take a look at Drive - "4x4 of the Year"

Why has little-however-growing Japanese automaker Suzuki brought a replacement midsize pickup truck to plug just as U.S. truck sales were tanking due to high gas costs? Come to think of it, why has Suzuki, known better to most Americans for its motorcycles, ATVs and boat motors than for its cars, brought a replacement pickup to plug in the least?

Suzuki says this new Equator, developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America-and named "4X4 of the Year" by 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine-offers a well-rounded blend of vogue, utility, comfort and off-road capability, and we tend to cannot disagree. It's out there for 2009 in Extended and Crew Cab, short- and long-bed and rear- or four-wheel-drive (4WD) variations. Beyond that, terribly few of these days's pickup alternatives are fuel-efficient compact or midsize, and this terribly competitive new Suzuki Equator line provides another set of wonderful choices.

A set of unique Suzuki styling components-including the hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate-differentiate Equators from their Nissan Frontier cousins. Extended Cab and Crew Cab models supply an available "high-utility" bed with a spray-on bedliner and a cleverly useful tie-down system with adjustable tracks. In fact, the wide selection of obtainable accessories includes specialized bed elements for securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV a relatively easy task.

The somewhat Spartan interior tries onerous to strike a balance between truck operate and automotive comfort. Extended Cabs and Crew Cabs have a fold-flat front passenger seat and flip-up rear seats with removable storage boxes underneath. Among the handy convenience features are a twin glove box with lock, a middle console box with a twelve-volt power outlet, further power points and cupholders and storage for one-liter bottles within the front doors. The offered Premium, Sport and RMZ-4 packages embrace cruise control, power mirrors, locks and windows and remote keyless entry, whereas a Sport package adds eight-speaker-plus-subwoofer Rockford-Fosgate audio with steering wheel controls, a six-CD changer, XM Satellite Radio, an auxiliary input jack, wireless Bluetooth and, on the Crew Cab RMZ-four, even a factory moonroof.

Normal engine may be a 2.5-liter DOHC four good for 152 hp and 171 lb.-ft. of torque, while an optional 4.zero-liter DOHC aluminum block V-half dozen ups the ante to a more sturdy 261 hp and 281 lb.-ft. Transmission selections are a five-speed manual (customary with the four-cylinder solely) or a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic, with or without obtainable shift-on-the-fly 4WD with an electronically controlled part-time 2-speed transfer case. On the market for serious off-road duty is a comprehensive system with four-wheel active restricted-slip traction control, an electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent and Hill Hold Control.

The Equator's long 125.9-inch wheelbase contributes to comfort and stability, while its 206.vi-in. overall length (Extended Cab or Crew Cab with customary bed) provides a smart balance of utility and maneuverability. Front suspension is steel double-wishbones, and the rear solid axle uses long-travel overslung leaf springs. Obtainable wheel/tire packages include "rugged-path" P265/75R16s on 16-inch off-road-vogue wheels and "long trail" P265/65R17s on 17-in. wheels. Maximum towing capacity is half dozen,five hundred pounds with the 2WD V-half dozen Sport Package.

Each on- and off-road, given the Equator's rugged capabilities, we tend to found its ride surprisingly sleek and its handling fairly agile. Its engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering gave sensible response and fairly good on-center feel, and its commonplace four-wheel anti-lock discs (with electronic brake-force distribution) delivered wonderful stopping power with no discernable fade. EPA-rated fuel economy for the four-cylinder five-speed manual 2WD base Equator is 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, while the identical truck with automatic gets 17 city, 22 highway. With the optional V-6 and automatic, fuel economy falls to a still-respectable fifteen town, 20 highway mpg.

The Equator Crew Cab offers three trim levels, all powered by the V-6 with 5-speed automatic. The base Crew Cab is 2WD, whereas the Sport offers the choice of 2WD or 4WD. An RMZ-4 (a reputation well-known on Suzuki motocross bikes) model comes with Dana forty four axles, electric rear locking differential, Bilstein high-performance shocks, skid plates and BFGoodrich Rugged Trail P265/75R16 tires. It also boasts fog lamps, chrome mirrors and door handles, a bed extender (the higher to accommodate motorcycles), special RMZ-four seat material with red stitching, chrome instrument cluster and vent trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

On the security front, all Equators come back with twin-stage front airbags with front seatbelt and occupant classification sensors, front-seat aspect airbags and facet curtain baggage front and rear, plus a tire pressure monitoring system. Extended Cab and Crew Cab models give 3-purpose seatbelts for all rear-seat occupants, as well as the center position.

About the Author

Terry Henry has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in ATV ,you can also check out his latest website about: Vans Shoes On Sale Which reviews and lists the best toddler vans shoes