2009 Suzuki Equator

Yep, the 2009 Suzuki Equator is the automotive world's latest example of the time-honored practice of badge engineering.

That bridge is the Suzuki Equator. Sharp-eyed browsers will note a suspicious resemblance to the Nissan Frontier; that's because the Equator and the Frontier are fraternal twins. They share the same chassis, powertrain, and Tennessee manufacturing facilities. But the liaison goes deeper than simple badge engineering. The 2009 Suzuki Equator has its own front-end design (hood, grille, bumpers, front fenders), six airbags as standard equipment, a longer warranty, and a different (likely cheaper, but not yet finalized) price structure.

The Equator is all about branding. Suzuki is banking on the idea that their powersports customers want to move their toys around in a truck with the same badge on it. So they put their badge on a truck - a Nissan Frontier to be exact.

With a focused target audience and low-volume production, a clean-sheet design just wasn't economical. Instead, Suzuki worked in partnership with Nissan to develop a uniquely-styled product based on the Frontier platform.

Suzuki chose the reputable, solid, and proven Nissan Frontier on which to base the Equator and was wise to offer a diverse lineup that includes two engines, two bed lengths, two cab configurations, plus rear- and four-wheel drive.

The Frontier is arguably a handsome truck, but Suzuki could have done more than simply modifying the grille and slapping on some fresh badges.

When is a Suzuki not a Suzuki? When it's a Nissan, of course. Say hello to the 2009 Suzuki Equator, Suzuki's new compact truck, which is essentially a rebadged Nissan Frontier, a pickup that bowed in the 2005 model year.

It's a truck, and I want it to look like a truck. I don't need fancy soft plastic or foamy-feeling interior gizmos. I don't need to tow a 5000-lb boat, but the towing capacity of 6500 lb is nice to have. I'm like most average drivers. I just want the right size truck to get me from point A to point B during the week and have fun on the weekends. The 2009 Suzuki Equator fits the bill.