2009 Suzuki Equator Quality Review

One of the ultimate goals of a pickup truck is to provide cargo utility and good towing characteristics, and the 2009 Suzuki Equator offers both in spades. While the overall quality may leave a bit to be desired, Suzuki is hoping that its customers will be more concerned with what the Suzuki Equator can do, not how it looks.

The 2009 Suzuki Equator offers seating for five inside its cabin, whether in Extended Cab or Crew Cab guise. Consumer Guide reports that "Extended Cabs have flip-up rear seats," while the "Crew Cabs have a rear bench seat" that is fixed in place. Reviewers don't find much to fault with the front seats, as Motor Trend says that "the cabin has plenty of room" and Consumer Guide praises the Suzuki Equator's "good six-footer headroom and legroom." Consumer Guide adds that "the seats are comfortable, but need more side bolstering to hold front passengers in place through turns." Cars.com reviewers don't mind the cloth-covered seats, and they note that "leather seats will not be available through Suzuki" since "that's not our type of customer," according to one Suzuki spokesman. Although the Crew Cabs offer decent rear seat room, Consumer Guide claims that the Suzuki 2009 Equator "Extended Cab's rear seats are best used for small cargo," as "only preteens will fit comfortably."

Cargo space is impressive on the Suzuki 2009 Equator, especially for a mid-size pickup. Cars.com reviewers love that the cabin features "numerous storage pockets and slots, including two storage compartments in the glove box location." Consumer Guide also reports that "there's useful space behind the front seats and some thoughtful small-items storage up front" on the Suzuki Equator. In the bed, Motor Trend says that the 2009 Suzuki Equator "benefits from Nissan's Utili-track bedrail system and spray-on bedliner."

Interior quality on the 2009 Suzuki Equator isn't exactly world-class, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are generally forgiving. While Car and Driver contends that the "Frontier's hard plastic parts and Nissan-orange dashboard lighting are no more attractive in Suzuki guise," Cars.com reviewers claim that "the interior doesn't seem cheap, just easy to clean." Consumer Guide says that "cabin materials are predictably workman-like," although on the downside, the "controls do not operate with smooth precision."

On the road, reviewers find that the Suzuki 2009 Equator offers a relatively well-insulated cabin. Consumer Guide says that "the V6 growls at full throttle, but isn't unduly loud," while "wind rush is evident over 60 mph and rises sharply with speed." Autoblog, meanwhile, claims that the big grille "didn't add any undue wind noise" and deems the Suzuki Equator "livable, but you may find yourself turning up the stereo a few notches on the highway."

Unfortunately, ride quality leaves a lot to be desired—although TheCarConnection.com notes that's a given on such an inexpensive load-bearing vehicle. Motor Trend reports that the Suzuki Equator's "rough ride could be helped by filling the bed with cargo.”