It must be hard for auto manufacturers to dream up new names with every new model they produce, and Chevrolet appears to be no exception.

When you think of Equinox, you may think of the word “balanced,” as day and night are on that date.

The Chevrolet Equinox SUV has a clean, balanced look. The five-seater features a 185 hp, V-6 engine and has a base price of $21,095. Test vehicle with OnStar communication system, all-wheel drive and other options had a price tag of just over $28,000.

That works for this SUV; it is a fine balance of size, utility, looks and efficiency. It is a useful size at a reasonable price ($21,000 to $25,000), somewhere between a Honda CRV ($19,000 to $22,000) or Ford Escape ($19,000 to $26,000) and the leaders of the midsize category, the Honda Pilot ($27,000 to $33,000) and the Toyota Highlander ($25,000 to $31,000).

In the design department the Equinox looks balanced and clean. No one should be ashamed to have this pretty lady sitting in his driveway, or tootling around town.

GM cars often are described as transportation appliances rather than real automobiles that engender some driving interest. This SUV could be described as a very competent appliance which, like a first-class dishwashing machine, performs its functions admirably and without complaint, but is not in the business of pumping adrenalin for the driver.

Chevrolet chose its 3.4 liter pushrod, 185 hp, V-6 motor to power the Equinox. This engine, although born of a 25-year-old family of V-6 pushrod engines, works quite well with the very smooth five-speed automatic transmission. It is a bit busy-sounding under acceleration and not as smooth and refined as the Japanese OHC V-6 installed in competing SUVs, but is probably less expensive to build — hence a reasonably priced Equinox at a base price of $21,095 for the LS 2WD to $24,435 for the LT AWD. The test vehicle with leather seats, trailer hitch, OnStar communication system, all-wheel drive and a few other baubles came in at just over $28,000. One possible reason for the competitive price may be that this V-6 engine is now built in China, like everything else we buy these days.

The first impression of the ultra-modern metallic looking interior was one of a cold and functional place, certainly not warm and inviting. Functionally, however, the interior, the controls and instruments work well, and the sound system is quite good. The new XM satellite radio with preprogrammed stations which can be heard anywhere across the country (for a monthly fee) is an option at $325.

The SUV is easy to drive — no particular excitement, but it gets you and your stuff there without any fuss. The ride, although perhaps a little stiff, is competent and pleasant. The car handles moderately well, and although sporty drivers shouldn’t bother driving this one, it won’t get Mom in trouble.

The cargo area behind the adjustable rear seats is somewhat compromised by large rear wheel well intrusions. Chevy has created a novel movable shelf with two position levels to partially offset this deficiency, but Dad will have some difficulty bringing home a standard piece of plywood from Home Depot, since it won’t fit between the wheel wells. All the passenger seats fold forward to allow maximum use of this cargo area, which prefers length over width when loading stuff.

There are a host of options available for this car, too many to list here, but a major one for $3,745 buys you leather seats, a moonroof, the OnStar communication system, premium sound with six-disc in-dash CD system, heated front seats, steering wheel touch controls and 17-inch cast aluminum wheels.

Fuel consumption is estimated at a reasonable 19mpg city/25mpg highway and the warranty is a slim three years or 36,000 miles. The towing capacity is 3,500 pounds with the $350 towing package installed.

If you need a cargo-carrying five-seat SUV for a reasonable price, you should consider the Chevrolet Equinox. The friendly sales staff at Mossy Chevrolet, who provided the vehicle for this road test, will be happy to show it to you.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 55 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at austin@sandiegometro.com.