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The Chevrolet Equinox looks the part of a Chevy truck from the front, with its requisite single-bar grille sporting a large gold Chevrolet bow-tie emblem. But its side-view shape is quite a bit different from the rest of the family, and we like it.

The roof pillars and the sheetmetal above the windows but below the roof seem to be extra-thick, imparting a feeling of extra solidity and strength, important for a truck made on a car platform. When you shut the doors, the sound is more like a muted mating of plastic than the hollow clang of sheetmetal. It's a sound that no other Chevrolet truck makes.

The Chevy Equinox looks solidly planted on its wheels. Its bigger size is evident everywhere. The doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and the rear gate goes up and out of the way, allowing you to stand fully upright for easy loading of groceries, camping equipment or dogs.

Equinox is based on a car-type platform, with unit-body construction rather than body on frame for better ride and handling.

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Inside, where the people live, work and ride, is where the Chevy Equinox shines when compared to some of its competitors. Up front, the Equinox carries flexible net storage pockets on both sides of the center tunnel. The center console/armrest has a small storage cubby and a coinholder for toll money. Dual cupholders pop out of the end of it, but they're flimsy and get in the way of the handbrake. The armrest flips up, providing better access to an open floor console that's a perfect place for a purse, briefcase or tote bag. The floor-mounted cupholder works well, while slots farther to the rear hold CD's angled forward for easy selection.

The Chevy Equinox cabin is a clean and functional design, with low-gloss nickel-plate trim on the console and control panel, a scheme that matched well with the light gray of our test Equinox LT2's leather upholstery. Improvements for 2006 include new knobs for climate control (and a claim of improved performance), and better integration of the passenger-side airbag cover. Down on the console, the T-handle shifter on the 2005 models has given way to a more conventional shift lever for 2006. Seat heaters are now available with cloth as well as leather seats, and the seat-heating controls have been re-located to the instrument panel.

The rear seat rides on a track that allows it to slide back and forth by up to eight inches, to bring kids or briefcases closer to the front, or to provide extra legroom for tall second-row passengers. With both front and rear seats in the full rearward positions, there's more rear-passenger legroom in the Chevrolet Equinox than you'll found in many larger SUVs: a full 42 inches. And behind the seat there's still plenty of room for your stuff. GM calls this innovative feature the Multi-Flex rear seat. Rear passengers also enjoy a 12-volt power outlet and dual slide-out cupholders. Rear head restraints have been down-sized slightly for 2006, improving rearward visibility for the driver.

GM's designers have used the space above the wheel wells for a handy cargo storage system. A lightweight reversible panel slides into slots on the Equinox's wheel wells at three different heights. Carpeted on one side and plastic on the other, the panel can serve as shelf, cargo cover or even a picnic or tailgating table. The tops of the wheel wells contain storage bins for small items. And there are several tie-downs and hooks on the panel from which to hang grocery bags. However, this system is being eliminated during the 2006 model year to increase cargo capacity.

XM Satellite Radio is a great feature when traveling cross country, because the stations don't change. It's nice to have around town for listening to music, 24-hour news broadcasts (Fox, CNN), sports (NASCAR), talk radio, and comedy.

The Chevy Equinox doesn't offer a navigation system, but OnStar can help and doesn't even need to be programmed. Simply press the blue button and a human operator responds, to provide directions and other assistance. OnStar always knows the location of your vehicle. The operators will notify authorities of your location, if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls. Or you can press the emergency button and they'll send out the troops. They can unlock your doors, if you lock your keys inside. They can direct you to the nearest gas station or help find a good restaurant or motel. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover.