Yesterday a single rendering of Suzuki's upcoming truck (Equator) leaked onto the web, so today Suzuki decided to release a much better photo of the new truck.
Just in case you can't tell from this photo, the 2009 Suzuki Equator is based on the Nissan Frontier pickup. The very similar truck will also be built at the same factory as the Nissan version.
Other than this single image of the truck, details are scarce. We'll have to wait until next week for the official unveiling.
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Comments (16)
Look kind of like a Nissan Frontier....With a Tundra Grill.
Posted by Hunter | January 29, 2008 9:51 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 21:51
Look kind of like a Nissan Frontier....With a Tundra Grill.
Posted by Hunter | January 29, 2008 9:52 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 21:52
A little late to the pickup party, with nothing new to offer. Suzuki doesn't have the greatest rep in the auto industry either. Why not offer something different, they have little to lose and much to gain. This latest offering just helps to reinforce that they're an also ran in every category.
Posted by mf | January 29, 2008 11:11 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 23:11
It's probably just too lucrative a product category for Suzuki to pass up on. Couple that with the fact they are entering the truck market with little development effort with a proven platform.
Posted by Tom T | January 30, 2008 7:20 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 07:20
I actually think it looks good. I wonder if that's what it'll actually look like. Way to go Suzuki!
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 30, 2008 8:35 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 08:35
I never really understood the point of selling two pickups that come off the same assembly line and are mechanically identical, the only difference being a very slight difference in front end styling. Just another example of badge engineering that consumers can easily see through. Suzuki, please reference the last 20 disasterous years of GM history.
Posted by WS | January 30, 2008 9:41 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 09:41
While it looks decent, I agree with the post above. It's just a rebadged Nissan.
Posted by Kell | January 30, 2008 9:59 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 09:59
Rebadging= sucumbing to whichever one is cheaper at the dealership. Unless Suzuki and Nissan begin offering both cars at the exact same prices with the same options, or at least until the point that one could add more options, I do not see why anyone would buy one over the other.
Other than one dealership being closer, of course.
Posted by Allen | January 30, 2008 11:37 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 11:37
Nissan should just cut off the extended cab, offer another engine cross-platform, and leave it at that. I'd much rather have a 3-seater, extended cab, and crew cab option from Nissan rather than bother with cross-brand shopping.
I see no point in this truck at all unless Suzuki throws in their own drivetrain and significantly lowers the price, which won't happen because Nissan wouldn't want to hurt their own sales when they could just do that on their own.
Posted by Tony | January 30, 2008 12:37 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 12:37
The last thing that Shitzuki needs to do is get into the truck business. I'll bet this turns out just like their SUVs - good for about 15K miles, then they start to fall apart.
Posted by CrazyGnome | January 30, 2008 2:54 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 14:54
Given that the traffic here is made up of car people... and so far the posts are batting at about 50% not realizing this is just actually a Frontier... the old badge engineering trickery must be working fairly well.
I have to ask, do you think the Suzuki loyalist (does such a thing exist?) will really care or know this is a Frontier? One step further, given the midsize truck competition out there at the moment (Ranger, Dakota, Colorado...) it'll probably help Suzuki. How often to they have a strong offering in any market segment?
Posted by Todd | January 30, 2008 3:18 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 15:18
you would need to be an woman not to realize this car is a nissan
Posted by dennisil | January 30, 2008 4:01 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 16:01
This is a low risk investment for Suzuki to enter the pickup market. Considering that it is Frontier based, Suzuki's styling (front end) actually appeals to me more. Given the choice, I would go for the Suzuki styled pickup with proven Nissan drivetrain. For the record, is anyone fooled when they see a Mitsubishi Raider (Dakota clone) or even a Mazda B series (Ranger clone)?
Posted by longdxcommuter | January 30, 2008 4:13 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 16:13
@longdxcommuter:
Whats wrong with the nissan badged frontier, I dont see what you think is nice about the suzuki one, obviously just my opinion but im sure mosre will agree with me this looks like it has the swooping lines of a toyota and the mid section from a nissan so that means that suzuki should change its name to toysan
Posted by dennisil | January 31, 2008 10:00 AM
Posted on January 31, 2008 10:00
@dennisil:
Nothing is inherently wrong w/ the styling with the Nissan Frontier. ( I am also fond of Nissan' , I had 2 Pathfinders 93' w/ manual and a '95 w/ automatic both of which were inherently reliable and great trucks. I used to work on jobsites and both trucks saw their share of mud.). IMO, I like the grille of the Suzuki truck more, just personal preference. However, I have two Nissan dealers within 5 miles of me, and the nearest Suzuki dealer is 15-20 miles away. That alone would kill the deal unless, Suzuki offers a huge price advantage over the Nissan.
Posted by longdxcommuter | January 31, 2008 3:20 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 15:20
Most of the Jap's Cars or trucks design are running out of ideal..they keep copycat to each other and expect "Jap lovers" buy them ..This Suzuki truck is luckier not to have two wheels like "S" bike..
Posted by Chichiman | February 1, 2008 4:27 AM
Posted on February 1, 2008 04:27