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DETROIT – Ed Peper, North American vice president of Chevrolet, said the new General Motors is “open for business and here to stay,” as he introduced Chevrolet’s 2010 Equinox last week to auto writers.

The second-generation Equinox, he said, will “redefine the compact segment.” Production has just begun and vehicles are being shipped to dealers.

Compact crossovers are sensible for those who still need seating for six or the ability to tow heavy loads. Target buyers are young couples, empty nesters and retired people.

Chief competitors include the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V, and these two were clearly the target for performance, interior quality and fuel economy. Chevy had one of each on hand for comparison.

The Equinox, which rides on a wheelbase that is the same as its predecessor, comes in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter V-6. There are four trim levels. Prices begin at $23,185 for the LS, $24,105 for the 1LT, $26,190 for the 2LT and $28,790 for the LTZ. A fully loaded LTZ will hit $36,000.

The base LS is $1,800 cheaper than the 2009 LS, and even the top LTZ is more than $1,000 less than last year’s model. Chevy expects the 1LT to be the most popular model.

Anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control and traction control are standard.

The Equinox is handsome. The signature grille is similar to that found on the Malibu and Traverse, and the profile is lean and clean. The greenhouse, or window area, is low and streamlined.

The big news, however, is that the 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder engine has a highway fuel economy rating of 32 miles per gallon. That’s not only a 33 percent improvement over the previous Equinox, but it is better than the rating of its competitors. City mileage is 22 mpg. The all-wheel drive model is rated at 20 city and 29 highway. The front-wheel-drive model is capable of going 550 miles on a tank of gas.

The four-cylinder performs well and is expected to be the engine of choice for about 70-percent of buyers. Throttle tip-in is a bit soft, and initial acceleration is not quite as lively as its competitors, which Chevy had on hand for comparison.

The Equinox is characterized by refinement. The design, fit and finish and quality of materials, especially inside, are easily the best in class. Wind and road noise are minimal.

Because the four-cylinder engine can produce some low-frequency noise, Chevy has adopted active noise cancellation. A microphone detects any booming sounds inside the vehicle and sends counteracting sound waves through the audio speakers. The result is amazing.

A direct-injection 3.0-liter V-6 is also available, but Chevy expects nearly three-quarters of buyers to choose the four-cylinder because of its better fuel economy, particularly given the current financial climate. The V-6 is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

Each engine has its own specific six-speed automatic transmission.

Other standard features include six standard airbags, including side-curtain airbags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side airbags.

The well-designed cabin has an instrument panel highlighted with brushed silver accents. The center stack contains flush-mounted buttons for the audio and climate-control system. Blue ambient lighting highlights the console and cup holders.

Options include a rearview camera, programmable power liftgate, navigation system, premium audio and a rear-seat entertainment system with two 8-inch LCD screens, one on the back of each front seat.

The steering wheel controls for cruise and audio have rotary knobs that can be rolled with a thumb, and they’re simple and intuitive.

Rear-seat legroom is quite generous, thanks to the back seat that can be moved backward and forward 8 inches. Put the seat forward and it is easy for front-seat passengers to reach an infant in a child seat. Put it back, and the legroom is like a limousine.

Available options include Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rear-seat entertainment system, power rear liftgate, rear-vision camera, premium audio and a navigation system.

Storage bins are numerous, including one atop the center stack and one under the center armrest is large enough for a laptop computer.

One drawback is that the rear cargo area is a bit narrow, and the low roof means some large items, such as a bicycle, may not fit easily.

Price

I drove a 2LT with a rear-seat entertainment center and its sticker price was $31,420.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox 2LT

Engine: 2.4-liter, 182-hp 4-cyl.

Transmission: Automatic

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 112.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,770 lbs.

Base price: $26,190

As driven: $31,420

MPG rating: 22 city, 32 hwy.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.