2009 Suzuki Equator - Road Test - Project Truck

Out back, the tailgate has also been redesigned to be smooth and simple. The handle is lockable so you wont have to worry about the Frontier owners tiring to swipe your smooth gate.

Our truck came with these 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P265/65R17 BFGoodrich Long Trail or P265/75R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires. The truck also has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that warns us when our tires need a little air.

The steering wheel has a bunch of buttons that make using the audio system much easier. There is even a button to activate the BlueTooth system for hands-free calling. Tunes come via a nine-speaker AM / FM / CD Rockford Fosgate audio system. The in-dash six-CD changer head unit will play MP3 / WMA and normal files, is XM Satellite Radio ready, and has an Aux input jack for your iPod or MP3 player. Suzuki included a powered subwoofer under the rear seat to add a little more boom to the system.

The basic shape of the truck is the same as the Nissan, but the grill, headlights, and fascia have been redesigned. We think it looks a lot more truck-like, which is a welcome change. You can get the truck in either extended cab or crew cab configuration.

Powering the Equator is an aluminum 4.0L, 24-valve DOHC V-6 with Variable Valve Timing that is rated to 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The engine feels mellow at first and then at about 3,000 rpm it comes alive and starts pulling pretty dang hard. The five-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears and gets you up to speed before you know it.

The truck features a leather interior with front buckets that have adjustable lumbar support. There is room to seat five but if your friends are hefty like ours then there is only room for four.