We have a new vehicle in our press fleet this week – the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT (we have one more that we’ll tell you about in just a couple of minutes). We picked up GM’s new SUV/Crossover yesterday from New York and were a bit disappointed to not have received the 264-hp 3.0L DOHC direct-injected V6 model… at first.

However, once we started moving with the 2010 Equinox 1LT FWD, with GM’s 2.4L Ecotec direct-injected 182-hp 4-cylinder, and saw it returning an outstanding 24.6 mpg during our drive home – we started to enjoy ourselves a little more. Now we’re not huge fuel-economy lovers here at egmCarTech, but we have to say an SUV or Crossover returning fuel-economy figures like this really impressed us. Not to mention, the ride quality on the 2010 Equinox is very smooth and comfortable; the interior cabin is very quiet and welcoming as well.

GM says that EPA rated fuel-economy comes in at 22/32 mpg (city/highway) – so consider this a good Cash for Clunkers value if you’re in the market. Pricing for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox starts at $22,440. The model pictured above has a starting price tag of $23,360.

We have the car for the whole week so make sure you ask us all the questions you want answered about the 2010 Equinox either here or over at Twitter. We’ll answer all your questions daily and provide you with updates along the way (more updates will be available on Twitter as we Tweet and Drive).

- By: Stephen Calogera