The 2009 Suzuki Equator is the Japanese company's latest move at continuing to establish itself as a worthy competitor in an American-ruled market. Suzuki has a way of always coming in with very affordable price ranges while simultaneously offering solid products. In fact, the MSRPs for the Equator ($17,220 - $28,500) fall below all of the competition's. The closest competitor in price being the Ford Ranger ($17,890). The 23/19 mpg fuel efficiency rating falls in the middle of the class ratings.

With a standard towing capacity of 3500 pounds and a payload rating of 986 pounds, the Suzuki Equator is a solid truck that can perform most non-heavy-duty chores. It's available in a diverse variety of possible configurations. 2WD, 4WD, short bed, long bed, regular cab, crew cab, you name it - it's available. Likewise, there are many different optional feature packages to choose from as well.

You have your choice between 2 available engines: the stock 2.5L 152hp 172 lb-ft DOHC I4 or the 4.0L 261hp 281 lb-ft V6. Both are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The V6 engine is great for powerful cruising and also ensures you of a smooth, quiet ride in almost every driving situation. Steering is responsive and firm, braking is effective and the quality of the ride is at least adequately comfortable. In fact, the Equator offers you a more pleasant-feeling ride than several of its competitors.

Its low-ranging gear ratios make the 2009 Equator a serious player in the off-road realm. The rear locking differential is accompanied by 3 separate skid plates and spacious ground clearance as well. You can take on rough terrain with confidence whenever the need arises. It's a fact that most pickups are driven with no bed cargo most of the time. That being said, either the I4 or V6 engine Equator is an intelligent choice for most drivers. Unless you regularly have the need for heavy hauling or towing, a midsized truck like these Suzuki's is a great choice - especially with today's fuel prices.

The 2009 Equator by Suzuki is targeting the outdoor enthusiasts and those who desire a sportier look than is delivered by many of the competition including the Chevrolet Colorado, the Ford Ranger, the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma. In fact, the 2009 Equator is Suzuki's version of the Nissan Frontier. The major differentiation between the two in appearance is the innovative and bold front styling of the Equator.

One of the most popular selling points of the Suzuki Equator is that it comes stock with a 7-year, 100,000-mile, zero-deductible standard warranty that remains completely transferable. It is also notable that the Suzuki Company had over 3 million sales of motorcycles and ATVs in 2007 alone. These vehicles require a truck to haul - and the Equator is set up perfectly to do so. Sports enthusiasts are lovin' the Equator big time. It is one of just a few midsized pickups that come with a possible Crew Cab/Extended bed length configuration.

Overall, the 2009 Suzuki Equator offers a high degree of practicality, value and functionality, especially to outdoor sports enthusiasts. It's designed from the tires up with that type of usage in mind. Its bold design standards set it apart from other midsized pickup trucks that are more geared for traditional usage. It's a hit for Suzuki - and it delivers more than expected.