The car is a crossover-SUV, a class of automobiles that hasn’t had the sales traction expected when they were initially released. GM is hoping that people who are more interested in fuel efficiency will be interested in these models because they’re big cars, but not as bad at guzzling gas as prior models.

The 2010 Equinox offers direct-injection engines. GM said the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder model is expected to get 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 21 mpg in the city — a 25% improvement over the previous model. A 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine increases horsepower from 182 to 255 and gets an estimated 25 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city.

The current version of the Equinox, with its 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine, gets 24 mpg on the highway and up to 17 in the city, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

GM says the vehicle offers a number of new innovations that improve overall fuel efficiency, including an improved electronic power steering system. The car also features a direct injection engine, which the company plans on offering in 38 models by 2010. That contrasts to the mere 18 models using direct-injection engines in 2008.