DecodedCars2010 Suzuki Equator
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Pickup RWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 220.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,520 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 185 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Suzuki Equator is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 221 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 140-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,520 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 9% better than the 2010 small pickup truck average of 19.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
What changed for 2010
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Equator — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Equator →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Pickup RWD | 220.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 139.8 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,520 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equator 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | +9% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Equator 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | -1% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Equator 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Equator 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | -9% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Suzuki Equator under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Suzuki Equator (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Chevrolet Silverado | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2010 Toyota Tundra | 17 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2010 GMC Sierra | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2010 Hummer H3T | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Sep 1, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V392000 · 20,692 vehicles
- Problem
- SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm · May 19, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V213000 · 582 vehicles
- Problem
- SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 EQUATOR PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 20, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK BUSHING COLLARS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS. IF A COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, IT MAY CHANGE THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO DETERIORATE.
- Risk
- THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE, ONE OR BOTH LOWER CONTROL LINKS ON THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · Mar 25, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V118000 · 15 vehicles
- Problem
- SUZUKI HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 EQUATOR TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
- Risk
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. ALL THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED THERE FORE AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS NOT ISSUED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Not every 2010 Suzuki Equator is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Suzuki Equator buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 2 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 83,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Suzuki Equator. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Equator years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Equator | 21 | – | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 Equator | 21 | – | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 Equator | 21 | 220.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Suzuki. How we calculate this →