Spy Shots: Suzuki Equator
A production Suzuki Equator has been snapped while hanging out in California, and the nose job looks successful. The Equator is virtually pure Nissan Frontier, besides the front sheetmetal, but that's not a bad thing. The Frontier is a handsome 2/3rds scale Titan, probably the most attractive of the "compact" pickups. Configurations will mirror the Frontier, too, with 2wd and 4wd models motivated by Nissan's big 2.5-liter four or 4.0-liter V6. Both extended and crew cab setups will be on offer for buyers needing space, and we're waiting for the 'Zuki pickup to hit stores this fall so we can check out interior fitment and prices.[Source: Automobile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex 9:07AM (9/04/2008)
I can see the commercials now. This truck carrying around a couple GSX-Rs.
Seriously, if Suzuki wants to sell cars they should make a competitor to the WRX STi and Evo. The SX4 has proven it has the chops to survive the beating that WRC courses throw at it.
But what do i know...
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Epyx 9:10AM (9/04/2008)
Too bad it gets horrid MPG, I have always liked the Frontier and I think the Suzuki version looks even nice as well. Hopefully the Suzuki has a little nicer interior, not that the Nissan is bad just could be better. I wish someone would make a pickup that could get 25mpg combined but I am sure that would require a diesel or a very small slow pickup. I would prefer the diesel.
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KC 7:31PM (9/04/2008)
If you click through to the source you will see that Suzuki changed exactly one thing in the interior - the Nissan logo on the steering wheel. The interior appears to be 100% identical to an '09 Nissan frontier which may address your concerns anyway as the Frontier has a new interior for '09.
Level 5 9:12AM (9/04/2008)
Headlights look a little Chrysler Aspen-ish to me, but it's not bad; I'm not a truck kinda guy but I like it.
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carguy 9:16AM (9/04/2008)
"2/3rds"???? Really?????
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The Talking Hamburger 9:45AM (9/04/2008)
The Frontier is based off of a modification of the Titan's frame/platform, IIRC.
Jaymez 9:39AM (9/04/2008)
That front clip screams Toyota to me. Pass.
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maccve 9:47AM (9/04/2008)
I agree...I thought it was a re-badged tundra when I first looked at the picture....
TJ 9:41AM (9/04/2008)
Wow. They really didn't change too much there (front fenders/hood/grill only...) did they...
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The Talking Hamburger 9:43AM (9/04/2008)
It looks decent enough. I think I'd live with a well equipped 2wd extended cab. But like Epyx mentioned, I'd hope for better gas mileage.
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MajorGeek 10:07AM (9/04/2008)
I thought Colorado meets Frontier actually. The front end fails, it gives it an aggressive off road look, especially on the silver piece that obviously is not cut away for off road. Its just silly. And I thought Suzuki was starting to come around some on their designs.
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Torrent 10:34AM (9/04/2008)
totally forgot about this....
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aa[ro]n 12:00PM (9/04/2008)
I thought this was a rebadge of a chrysler aspen cause of the headlights
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The Luigiian 12:43PM (9/04/2008)
I like it. Like everyone else here, though, I wish it were more fuel efficient. A midsized engine, larger than the 2.5 four but smaller than the 4.0 liter, would likely get better fuel economy than both, because it would be better matched to the truck's size and weight than the four-banger. It would also be more fun to drive than the four.
3.2 liter V-6, 210 hp, 250 lb-feet, 21 mpg overall mileage please.
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havoc 4:37PM (9/04/2008)
my 05 frontier came in around 4100 lbs witht he vq (264/284 rated in the brochure) and 6spd manual (king cab). i drove it around 33k miles, including pulling a uhaul trailer all the way across 40. my avg mileage in FL was around 20.5 mpg, with 21 mpg coming on trips to atlanta (99% highway). i never saw 22 mpg. pulling the trailer i avgd 16mpg, which i thought was pretty ok.
the design of the truck is great, i never had any problems with it. there was no limited slip offered, and the abls was only offered with certain option configurations. the 6 spd had a long throw in botht the clutch and the shifter, but both were very forgiving and made it one of the easiest manuals i've had (the gearing was nice too).
i just don't recommend the even-more-bloated crewcab as weight and price climb quickly.
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Corey 10:37PM (9/04/2008)
My 05 nismo edition Frontier has a limited slip, for the little extra ($3k) over the SE its the way to go.
1337 4:44PM (9/04/2008)
Anyone remember the Mitsubishi Raider? This will be almost as memorable.
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Jei 10:29AM (9/05/2008)
I like it. Today's Tundra, Silverado, Titan have gotten cartoonishly large and these auto makers should have given more attention to their midsized trucks all along.
?Are you paying attention Chrysler & Nissan? The Dodge Dakota can have a great model-life if Nissan were to add their current front/rear facias to a 4-door, V8 model.
?Are you paying attention GM? Making a 2/3rds-size Avalanche/Tahoe/Silverado is a smart move...do it. And do it right...make all interior content available on the full-size trucks optional for smaller versions of those vehicles.
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GOT 8:08PM (9/07/2008)
Whatever happened to the small truck?
I'm still driving a 93 Nissan truck (with over 300k miles. I get around 30mpg) and it's the perfect size. Todays small trucks are too big.
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