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2009 Suzuki Equator Safety Review

February 11, 2009

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Good," frontal offset impact; no test, side impact
IIHS

Four stars, frontal driver impact; four stars, frontal passenger impact
NHTSA

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system
Consumer Guide

Because the 2009 Suzuki Equator is essentially a rebadged Nissan Frontier, it shares many of the Frontier's safety attributes, including respectable crash-test ratings and a solid array of safety features.

The 2009 Suzuki Equator has been partially tested by both NHTSA and the IIHS, and early results are encouraging. Full crash-test results aren't yet available since the Suzuki Equator is a new model for 2009, but the IIHS has conducted its frontal offset impact test on the Suzuki Equator and awarded the Equator the highest possible rating of "good." NHTSA has also conducted frontal impact tests on the Suzuki 2009 Equator, and the Equator earned four out of five stars for both frontal driver impacts and frontal passenger impacts. Unfortunately, neither agency has tested the Suzuki Equator for its side impact protection, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Suzuki Equator comes with available curtain and front side airbags.

Standard safety equipment doesn't vary much across the Suzuki 2009 Equator lineup, as Consumer Guide reports that all models come with "dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, [and] front-seat active head restraints." Autoblog reviewers find that "limited-slip traction control, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control" are all available as options on the 2009 Suzuki Equator, while Cars.com notes that "side airbags with a rollover sensor will be standard on the Equator."

The editors of TheCarConnection.com point out that electronic stability control, a safety feature that's even more of a must-have on pickups, is not at all available with the four-cylinder engine. Another feature included with only the upgraded trim levels is "hill ascent/descent control" on the RMZ-4, according to Consumer Guide.

One area where the Suzuki Equator outshines some other pickups is driver visibility. Consumer Guide reports that although the "wide-base windshield pillars can hinder visibility to the front corners, the view is fine to the rear corners and directly aft." That is especially convenient given that the Suzuki Equator doesn't have any sort of optional rearview camera or parking assist.

Conclusion

The 2009 Suzuki Equator offers generous safety equipment, but four-cylinder models miss out on some of it.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Good," frontal offset impact; no test, side impactIIHSFour stars, frontal driver impact; four stars, frontal passenger impactNHTSAAvailable safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid systemConsumer Guide Because the 2009 Suzuki Equator is essentially a rebadged Nissan Frontier, it shares many of the Frontier's safety attributes, including respectable crash-test ratings and a solid array of safety features. The 2009 Suzuki Equator has been partially tested by both NHTSA and the IIHS, and early results are encouraging. Full crash-test results aren't yet available since the Suzuki Equator is a new model for 2009, but the IIHS has conducted its frontal offset impact test on the Suzuki Equator and awarded the Equator the highest possible rating of "good." NHTSA has also conducted frontal impact tests on the Suzuki 2009 Equator, and the Equator earned four out of five stars for both frontal driver impacts and frontal passenger impacts. Unfortunately, neither agency has tested the Suzuki Equator for its side impact protection, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Suzuki Equator comes with available curtain and front side airbags. Standard safety equipment doesn't vary much across the Suzuki 2009 Equator lineup, as Consumer Guide reports that all models come with "dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, [and] front-seat active head restraints." Autoblog reviewers find that "limited-slip traction control, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control" are all available as options on the 2009 Suzuki Equator, while Cars.com notes that "side airbags with a rollover sensor will be standard on the Equator." The editors of TheCarConnection.com point out that electronic stability control, a safety feature that's even more of a must-have on pickups, is not at all available with the four-cylinder engine. Another feature included with only the upgraded trim levels is "hill ascent/descent control" on the RMZ-4, according to Consumer Guide. One area where the Suzuki Equator outshines some other pickups is driver visibility. Consumer Guide reports that although the "wide-base windshield pillars can hinder visibility to the front corners, the view is fine to the rear corners and directly aft." That is especially convenient given that the Suzuki Equator doesn't have any sort of optional rearview camera or parking assist. ConclusionThe 2009 Suzuki Equator offers generous safety equipment, but four-cylinder models miss out on some of it. 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR STYLING | [8 out of 10] Autoblog: "A mid-sized pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier " Cars.com: "A front clip that is distinctly Suzuki , with a trapezoidal grille and a high-tech light cluster" Consumer Guide: "Simple, handy layout. All controls are within ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Suzuki Equator shines mainly due to its cargo storage versatility and the performance from its optional 4.0-liter V-6. Those looking for more carlike refinement and accommodations would be wise to check out the Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline has a much better on-road ride and handles almost like a car, but it won't be able to crawl trails as well as the Suzuki. The Nissan Frontier is a nearly identical pickup, though we prefer the Suzuki's nose, cargo system, and warranty. Toyota's Tacoma is similar to the Suzuki Equator, though with arguably fresher interior materials and better ergonomics; the Tacoma suffers from an unsettled ride in some trims, however. The Ford Ranger is the oldest beast of burden here, a truly utilitarian rig, but it's cheap—very cheap—to own and operate and quite capable off-road when outfitted properly The Ranger, however, doesn't offer side airbags, even as an option—a sore omission on the safety front.

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See the Suzuki Equator in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

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