Chevrolet unveils 2010 Equinox SUV

December 22, 2:48 PMDC Car ExaminerBrady Holt

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2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Newly flush with loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments, General Motors is showing off the redesigned version of its Equinox SUV in preparation for the Detroit Auto Show next month.

The new Equinox, which is scheduled to go on sale this summer, will continue to be sized between the "compact" and "midsize" SUV market segments, similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe.

GM is also promising a fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon on the highway for 4-cylinder front-wheel-drive models, excellent for any size of SUV.

The Equinox will offer a choice between a 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6 with 255 horsepower. Both will have a standard 6-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front- and all-wheel-drive.

Pricing has not yet been announced. 

The new Equinox is essentially an extended-length version of the existing Saturn Vue compact SUV, which drives well but is heavy for its size and doesn't have a very roomy interior. 

The Equinox's cargo volumes of 31 cubic feet behind the rear seat at 64 with the rear seat folded is an improvement over the Vue, but several smaller SUVs have more space. 

Chevrolet has not said whether the new Equinox, like the Vue, will get a hybrid option. 

See the photos of the new Equinox -- as well as a photo of the current vehicle -- in the slideshow below.