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Nissan isn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes with its new mid-size truck, the '09 Equator. Clearly a Nissan Frontier with, we think, a very attractive schnoz, Suzuki brass are quick to comment that the new-to-Suzuki truck was "developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America, Inc." But Nissan's capable and gutsy Frontier is not a bad place to start by any means. And Suzuki's research indicates that its armada of motorcycle, marine, and ATV owners are "more likely to have a pickup at home" and happen to be extremely brand loyal to Suzuki. Enter the Equator, which in 2WD, V-6 guise will happily tow 6,500 pounds of off-road toys.

Knowing that its Equator might--unlike most mall-bound mid-size trucks--actually see real off-road duty and probably tow some cool toys around in the process, it designed a special, slanted bed-extender tailgate that quite perfectly cradles the rear wheel of a dirt bike in the short-bed, crew-cab version. In conjunction with five heavy-duty C-channel aluminum rails where adjustable tracks reside allowing flexible tie-down of various items, a standard spray-on bedliner from the factory, removable utility cleats that side into side channels, and plenty of additional options for this rack system, the Equator is like the ridiculously equipped, well-thought-out, properly designed vehicle the Pontiac Aztek always wanted to be. Minus the tent and front-wheel drive.

Just like the Frontier, the Equator sports honest-to-goodness rear-wheel drive with a long-travel, leaf-sprung rear axle, the best friend of any true off-roader. Optional four-wheel-drive features a shift-on-the-fly, part-time two-speed transfer case with a true low range. Also included in the four-wheel-drive option are four-wheel active limited slip traction control, an electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Hill Descent Control, and Hill Hold Control.

Equator's base engine is Nissan's 2.5-liter DOHC four cylinder with 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, available with a five-speed manual or a five-speed, electronically controlled automatic. Optional is the same stout, 4.0-liter DOHC V-6 found in the Frontier, an engine based on the award-winning VQ-series V-6 that Nissan and Infiniti use across their lineup. This optional engine is offered only with the five-speed automatic and features 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.

We had the chance to a roam a particularly wet and rocky part of the 1,000-acre Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio, Texas, in a new Equator and came away impressed. A solid rear axle was our friend during tricky climbing, respectable ground clearance kept us moving through streams and over stumps, the 4.0-liter V-6 is torquey and smooth (downright furious in low range), and Hill Descent and Hill Hold make precipitous ascent and descent almost too easy. Sure, the Suzuki won't do anything a similarly equipped Nissan Frontier can't do, but it will tote that Suzuki dirt bike with ridiculous ease, and unlike Nissan's Frontier, Suzuki's 100,000-mile/seven-year, zero-deductible powertrain warranty is fully transferable beyond the truck's original owner.

Rebadged vehicles can range from thinly disguised sales schemes (Mitsubishi Raider) to intelligent moves that will spread the wealth of a great platform to more buyers. In Suzuki's case, we're happy to know that even more individuals will be taking a great truck out into the conditions for which it was designed.--Colin Mathews

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Suzuki should strongly consider renaming this vehicle. Bearing little resemblance in performance, panache, or style to its mediocre, cramped predecessor that debuted in the United States around the turn of the millennium, the freshened '09 GV (that's what we'll call it) is a decided 180 from the original.

New for '09 are both a base four-cylinder, at a very RAV4 and CR-V 2.4 liters, and a 3.2-liter V-6 based loosely on the GM high-feature V-6 found in products as disparate as Malibus, Enclaves, and the CTS. The four-cylinder, Suzuki's own design, benefits from the wonders of variable-valve timing and is smooth, torquey, and more than adequate in the Grand Vitara. Its torque curve is arguably more usable than the V-6's, which finds most of its motivation at mid-to-high rpm. All the better, as the four is capable of a respectable 26 mpg on the highway. Even hampered by only four ratios in the optional automatic transmission (vs. the V-6's five-speed auto), the four was responsive and only showed flaws with a bit of coarseness at high RPM compared with segment leaders Honda and Toyota.

Suzuki brought a slew of GVs along to Knibbe Ranch, where we also drove the new-for-'09 Equator pickup. Proving the benefits of rear-wheel-biased 4WD in a balanced chassis, the GV went absolutely everywhere the bigger, badder Equator went. Through streams, over rocks, up muddy inclines, and across split-traction surfaces from a dead stop. Not to mention, with a shorter wheelbase and lighter curb weight, some of us preferred the Grand Vitara in the rough stuff, where extra weight and size are liabilities. Optional four-mode four-wheel drive with a true low-range, lockable center differential, Hill Descent Control (V-6 only), and Hill Hold Control (V-6 only) made our test examples shockingly competent, far beyond what soft-roaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 could manage.

With interior upgrades also included for '09, including touches like electroluminescent instrumentation, the GV is finally a refined on-road competitor to the likes of the aforementioned Honda and Toyota. And for small-SUV buyers who need serious off-road capability, the GV truly rates a test drive.--Colin Mathews

The 2010 Suzuki Kazashi has arrived in Nevada for some hot-weather testing.  Our latest look at Suzuki's new midsize sedan has generated some new details--including our first looks at the Kizashi's engine and interior.

Likely to take design cues from handsome Suzuki's Kizashi 3 concept car show at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the production Kizashi sedan is expected to take Suzuki further upmarket. Competing directly with the Accord, Camry, and  Altima (one of each was on hand with Suzuki's test team), the Kizashi is expected offer a 3.6-liter DOHC V-6, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.  The V-6 could generate  as much as 300 horsepower, while the four is expected to exceed 150 hp.  Optional all-wheel drive is also likely--as is a more consumer-friendly name than the concept-car moniker.

The Kizashi is expected to reach production in three body styles:  as a sedan, a sport wagon, and a crossover.--KGP Photography

With the fall term about to start at schools across the country, you may be looking for the perfect car for your parents to “subsidize”—or for your child to take off to college along with your furniture, your computer, and your life savings.

It doesn’t take an economics major to find a great car for college—but it does take a little research. The most important things for a college car are reliability, fuel economy, safety, and of course, price. Lucky for you, TheCarConnection.com’s editors not only went to college—the eight-year plan, in some cases—they’ve also studied every 2008 model available for sale in the United States, from crash-test scores to gas mileage.

Of all the cars driven and researched by TheCarConnection.com’s editors, these eight stand out for their basic formula of goodness. Each gets at least 25 mpg on the highway and has a base price of less than $15,000, along with a long list of standard safety gear and good crash-test scores. Some are sedans; some are cargo-friendly wagons; and we’ve even chosen a couple of coupes for the style-conscious. In alphabetical order, they are:

Ford Focus
Restyled for the 2008 model year, and updated for 2009, the Ford Focus is a roomy entry-level car—and a music lover’s dream thanks to its SYNC system. A two-door coupe and four-door sedan share a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 140 horsepower and a choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Inside there’s good room for four, and the interior also features SYNC, a voice-activated, hands-free communications and entertainment interface that links the car to all manner of phones, PDAs, MP3 players, and portable storage devices. The Focus scores five stars in frontal impacts and has six standard airbags, but make sure to order the optional anti-lock brakes.

Honda Fit
The 2008 Honda Fit is a subcompact five-door hatchback with entertaining road manners and frugal fuel economy. Its 109-horsepower engine won’t be the stuff of NASCAR miracles, but it works very well with either five-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The Fit gets 34 mpg on the highway and 28 in the city, and does it with Honda’s trademark light touch in its controls and a roomy interior with a folding “Magic Seat” that opens a cargo area big enough for a standard-sized bicycle. Side curtain airbags, front-seat side-impact bags, and anti-lock brakes are standard, and it gets top five-star scores in the federal government’s frontal and side tests (though rear-seat passengers only have three-star side-impact protection).

Hyundai Elantra
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is the South Korean brand’s compact sedan and a recent winner of a compact-car comparison from Consumer Reports. Power comes from a 138-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and goes through either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is as good as 25/33 mpg. It’s a good-looking vehicle, with enough room for adults in back and a good-quality interior outfitted with power windows, power heated rearview mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and a tilt steering wheel. Options include a Bluetooth hands-free system, leather, a power sunroof, and a 220-watt premium audio system with an iPod jack. The Elantra gets top front-impact scores and four-star side-impact ratings, and comes with anti-lock brakes and six airbags.

Mitsubishi Lancer
The Lancer is Mitsubishi’s smallest sedan and lowest-priced car in the U.S. lineup. It uses a 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with either a very precise-shifting five-speed manual or a "gearless" CVT automatic. The nicely detailed look is matched by a comfortable cabin. Base versions have power windows and a CD sound system, but upscale versions can be outfitted with Bluetooth, automatic climate control, a 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system, and a navigation system that includes a 30GB hard-drive music server. Four- and five-star crash test ratings are backed up by front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes are standard on ES and GTS Lancers, but stability control is not available on any version.

Pontiac Vibe
The five-door Vibe returns with a new body style for 2009, a pair of engines and all-wheel drive as an option. Buyers can pick from a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder or stick with the base 1.8-liter four, making 132 horsepower. Both engines can be teamed to a manual or automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency is good, especially with the 1.8-liter engine, which returns ratings as high as 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway with the manual transmission. The smoother look outside is met with a roomy interior and high-quality feel inside; the rear seats fold flat to expand the cargo area. A 320-watt Monsoon sound system is among the options. All Vibes include front side airbags, side-curtain bags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Vibe gets five stars for side impacts for front-seat occupants and four stars in back; front impact tests aren’t in yet.

Saturn Astra
The new 2008 Astra is a European-bred car from GM’s Saturn brand. It comes in two flavors: two-door hatchback and four-door hatchback. It gets its power from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that spins out 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The sweet-revving four-cylinder teams well with a five-speed manual that offers a light-touch clutch; there’s a four-speed automatic offered as well. The Astra's ride feels Euro-tuned, with electronic power steering and strong brakes. The Astra has features not often found at this price point, like steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and express-up power windows. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t yet tested the Astra but it comes with six standard airbags, anti-lock brakes, and GM’s OnStar system.

Scion xB
The 2008 Scion xB is the second generation of the popular four-door hatchback sold by Toyota’s youth-oriented brand. The 2008 Scion xB is outfitted with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower, mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Fuel economy is 22/28 mpg. There’s room for four or cargo room to move most of a dorm room in one trip (minus the flat-screen TV and MicroFridge). Anti-lock brakes, side and curtain airbags, and stability control are standard equipment. The 2008 Scion xB gets four stars for front impact protection and five stars for side impacts.

Suzuki SX4
The SX4 is a small crossover vehicle with a wagon body, an upscale interior, and plenty of driving fun. Its 2.0-liter four spins out 143 horsepower in a happy, smooth patter; a sweet-shifting five-speed manual is standard, and a four-speed automatic is available. The government rates the SX4 at 21/28 mpg with the manual transmission. Though it might not look like much from the outside, the SX4 has a sharp interior with a high-quality look and features like a CD player with MP3 capability; iPod integration and Bluetooth are available. Six airbags are standard, as are anti-lock brakes and a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The NHTSA rates the SX4 with four stars for most crash and rollover tests, save for five-star driver-side impact protection.

Suzuki says its new sports sedan will bow at an auto show in 2009--but it won't be the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As Porsche has already confirmed, Suzuki will pass on attending the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. In doing so, Suzuki's abandoning Cobo Hall for more spacious digs at competing auto shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. No reasons were given for the move, only the statement that Suzuki "will not attend" the Detroit show next January.

While it's skipping winter in Motown, Suzuki is planning a raft of appearances at locally important and international auto shows next year. At one of them, the Japanese automaker will parade a new sports sedan that's been shown in concept form as the Kizashi and Kizashi 2. Shown here at the Tokyo show last year, the Suzuki Kizashi 2 was billed as "an emotionally appealing shape that reflects a dual focus on status and vitality in a way that generates excitement about its performance and heightens the pleasure of ownership."

Details are few on the production version of the sedan--including at which auto show it might first appear. However, the concept Kizashi 2 was powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, a powertrain expected to appear in the real Suzuki sedan when it goes on sale. A hybrid version is said to be in the works as well.

Stay tuned for more from Suzuki and for more on the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.