Chevrolet has announced pricing for the 2010 Equinox - $23,185 with destination for the front-wheel-drive LS base model. GM estimates that the four-cylinder will achieve an ad-worthy 30 mpg in the EPA highway test. (See our Chevrolet Equinox preview.)

The Equinox should be a significant improvement over the uncompetitive current Equinox. (See our Equinox road test and ratings.) Despite improvements that came along for 2007, the out-going Equinox still had lumbering handling and a cheap-looking interior. Worse, the Equinox never offered an efficient four-cylinder engine, relying instead on a hoary 3.4-liter pushrod engine in the volume models. We only managed 18 mpg overall in our tests—near the back of the small SUV pack. This time around, most Equinox models will have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, similar to the Malibu’s base engine but with direct-injection, and a direct-injection 3.0-liter V6 will be optional.

As GM’s fuel economy claims show, improved mileage was clearly a goal of this redesign. So were improved interior quality and better seating. A very brief drive of a pre-production Equinox revealed that GM is indeed playing for keeps. The four-cylinder had reasonable power, and both ride and handling showed definite signs of improvement. The roomy rear seat remains, but it is now in a better-furnished interior.

Comparing base prices with destination, a lot of competition is cheaper – the front-wheel-drive Honda CR-V LX starts at $21,915, the all-wheel-drive-is-the-only-way-it-comes Subaru Foresterv 2.5X automatic is $21,890, and the front-wheel-drive Toyota RAV4 base model rings in at $22,245. But the press release notes that the Equinox has standard power adjustments for seat height and lumbar and 17-inch wheels that the others (save the CR-V) lack at their base prices. The Equinox is also bigger and offers unusual options for this class, like a power tailgate.

We’re looking forward to the Equinox’s on-sale date in June to see if this redesign finally gives GM a competitive small SUV. Early signs are very encouraging.

—Tom Mutchler

See our SUV buying guide.