My dictionary defines equinox as “the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length (about September 22 and March 20).” And right they are, as this fall the autumnal equinox will indeed be on September 22. It would seem to me that would have been a good introduction date for the all-new Equinox to go on sale at your local Chevy dealer, but the suits in Detroit have chosen to make the new crossover available this June.

Perhaps they can’t wait until September. I suppose there are some folks out there who find it hard to believe that General Motors is still working on new models these days. And the Equinox—well, not much has been heard about it for the last year or so, as GM’s public relations department has focused a ton of time and energy on the new Camaro (debuting now—finally), the new electric Volt (which is still more than a year away), and the 2011 Cruze compact, which will replace the Cobalt. But the Equinox may be as important as any of them. Let’s face it, GM’s not going to be saved by the Camaro. It’s a good showroom magnet, and good for some bragging rights, but it won’t sell in the millions. Probably not even in the six-digit range. And the Volt and the Cruze are still down the road apiece.

The Equinox is Chevy’s entry in the still somewhat hot crossover category. Since the four-dollar gas prices last year pretty much killed large SUV sales, many buyers not yet ready to go back to a car have found some comfort in a smaller, more fuel-efficient crossover. So the makeover of the Equinox couldn’t have come at a better time.

Not only is it more up-to-date appearance-wise, but get this: The 2010 base Equinox will cost $1,800 less than the 2009 model. How often does that happen these days? Perhaps some equipment has been shifted around, but still, the bottom line is that you can buy one cheaper than before. Not only has the line at the bottom of the price sticker improved, the all-important EPA gas mileage figures have also gotten better, thanks to the addition of a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injected inline four-cylinder engine, which is estimated at 21 miles per gallon city/30 miles per gallon highway for the front-wheel-drive model (Equinoxes are also available in all-wheel-drive). Another new engine, a 3.0-liter V-6, should see 18/25 miles per gallon (FWD). Certainly improved numbers for anyone coming out of a larger Tahoe, Trailblazer, or Suburban. The only available transmission will be a six-speed Hydramatic.

Other features on the 2010 Equinox include: four-wheel disc brakes; electronic stability control and traction control; six standard air bags (dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags; and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags); power lumbar controls; tilt and telescoping wheel; and 17-inch wheels.

Styling is all new, drawing some inspiration from the popular Malibu. I think it’s an improvement which looks less awkward from the rear. Stylists have integrated the rocker panels into the door design, hoping to help cut down on those dirty pant legs we’re all so familiar with when the weather’s not at its best. Compared to the 2009 Equinox, the new model, although using the same 112.5-inch wheelbase, is an inch shorter in length, and an inch wider. The rear 60/40 split seat will have nearly eight inches of fore-and-aft adjustment to help with leg room, and with the seat at its forwardmost position there’s 31.4 cubic feet of storage space in the cargo area.

Maybe the Equinox will help bring people back to the showroom. I’m sure the new Camaro will do the same, but it’s more likely the Equinox will find both lookers and takers. Hopefully before GM finds itself in a total eclipse.

Jim Corbran is a regular contributor on the Artvoice blogs. You can read more "You Auto Know" on AV Daily.