There are big doings these days at Suzuki.

Model year 2009 will see the introduction of Suzuki's first pickup truck, called the Equator.

The Equator is based on the Nissan Frontier, but there are enough styling and other differences that I don't think you'll get the two trucks mixed up.

Priced between $19,000 and $28,000, the Equator comes with a lot of standard equipment. There are two body styles -- crew and extended cab -- and two engine choices are offered -- a 2.5-liter, 152-horsepower four or a lusty 4.0-liter, 261-horsepower V-6. Fuel economy ratings go from 14/19 to 19/25, depending on the model and engine you choose.

By the way, the Equator can tow up to 6,300 pounds.

The other big news is that Suzuki has made a navigation system standard equipment on its Suzuki SX4 models for 2009.