Suzuki Equator Forum

Hi guys, I new here. Thought I would check in to see what everyone is saying about the Equators. I bought an 09 Tacoma and haven't been very happy so far. I wish I would have gone with the Suzuki.

Welcome to the site!

Having owned a 2000 Nissan Frontier I can tell you that hands down they are one tough little truck and the only reason I parted with it after 104,000 trouble free miles was I needed a bigger bed because my business had grown so I traded it for a 04 Nissan Titan that now has 117,000 trouble free miles on it .

I went and took a drive in the Equator a few months ago because I've once again had to buy a bigger truck because the business has grown some more ( Ram 3550 with a Cummins 6.7L) so the wife is now driving the Titan but keeps talking about another Frontier and we both agree that the Equator is hands down a better looking truck.

The Frontier just doesn't look right with the same body style as the Titan and man is that RMZ4 Equator one slick looking little truck but I think I'd save my money and by a stripped down Equator and just add some true performance suspension and after market parts to it and make my own RMZ4.

Hope to see you around the site and don't be shy.

I waited months for the equator to come out. I had a Grand Vitara (the best vehicle I have ever owned), but I wanted a truck. Last month I shoped around, Nissan, Toyota, Suzuki, and made my up my mind to get the Equator. I took a half day off work and last thing my boss said to me was "those Toyotas really hold thier value". Well I choked and went to the Toyota dealer and drove off in a Tacoma TRD with manual shift (I could not get that in the RMZ4). However, I just don't love this truck. I made a mistake. I would have been happier with the RMZ4 even with the automatic trans. No turning back now. When you make a mistake of this magnitude, you just live with it.

I looked around at a lot of trucks too and got the same infamous advise about Toyota's, but when I spent some time with the Equator, it just felt right. I've owned a lot of bigger trucks, Fords, Chevs and Dodges but it just isn't the same. The best way to describe this truck is, it's just plain fun. I'm sure you'll warm up to the Toyota, but if not you can always live vicariously through this site

Hey Battlestar, what don't you like about your Tacoma compared to the Equator? I'm looking at buying probably next spring and have been starting to compare these 2 trucks. Any opinions would be great. Thanks in advance!

Hi and welcome to the site. It's nice to see a fellow Canadian here. Good luck with your decision. I admit I considered the Toyota myself but what it came down to for me was aesthetics (I think the Toyota's ugly) and the local dealership. The trucks themselves were pretty comparable in terms of size, fuel economy, mechanicals etc.
When I went shopping at Toyota they treated me like they were doing me a favor by selling me a truck. Whereas the Suzuki dealership, which is 60 miles away, went after my business and have been outstanding.
I also have a 2007 Suzuki XL7 and the dealership has been great. You may have a better Toyota dealer than me, but it's sure something to keep in mind.
I think since Toyota's moved into the same sales numbers as some of the big 3 they've gotten pretty arrogant.
Andy

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2009 Suzuki Equator JX Radiant Silver
2007 Suzuki XL7 Limited Cobalt Blue
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

Don't forget the fact that the Equator has a timing chain rather then a belt which sold me. Who wants to deal with changing the belt every recommended 60,000 miles?

I am pretty sure the Toyota 4.0 has timing chain also, but I still think the Equator/Frontier is a better truck. One thing to watch for is Toyota's load capacity rating. In the literature is says one thing and when you buy the truck you are suprised by a little yellow door sticker that states that due to modifications this vehicle is rated 290 lbs. less on load capacity. This seems to be the U.S. models only. The suspension is so light that 600-800 lbs. will make the truck bottom out. After many phone conversations they are now going to upgrade the rear suspension. Not what I expected from Toyota. Especially on a TRD package.
If the RMZ-4 would have a 6 speed Manual, there would be an Equator in the driveway today.
I have some other issues.

you are correct. The 4.0 V6 uses the chain, the earlier 3.4 V6 had the timing belt, I need to research before opening my mouth.