A Solstice, not an Equinox, is an event to celebrate. Our pagan ancestors marked the rebirth of the sun in December, with lights and feasts to dispel winter's gloom; and then partied again in June on the longest day of the year. An Equinox is by comparison a non-event, when light and dark are equal, when everything is just alright.

The Chevrolet Equinox may not represent the return of the sun, either, but it should be considerably brighter for '07, thanks to a bounty of improvements that really are worth celebrating. Four-wheel disc brakes, a tire pressure monitor, StabiliTrak and rollover monitoring have all become standard. Instruments and controls are largely new, and the chassis settings revised for better ride and handling. New options include upgraded audio systems, a remote starter, and at last a navigation system integrated into the stereo.

These are welcome changes because we have not been enthralled with the Equinox cabin.

Equinox is Chevrolet's answer to the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. But Equinox is bigger and roomier than any of these competitors, and has features that enhance its versatility. The back seats are mounted on tracks and slide fore and aft: Slide forward and you have more cargo space, slide rearward for more rear legroom. The rear seatbacks also recline for additional comfort. Fold the rear seats down, then fold down the front passenger seatback, and you can load eight-foot objects inside.

In fact, Equinox is big enough that its dimensions blur the line between compact and midsize sport utilities. It's nearly 14 inches longer than Ford Escape and just three inches shorter than a Chevy TrailBlazer. Its long wheelbase gives the Equinox good stability and ride quality. However, Equinox seats only five, because it does not offer a hopelessly cramped third row, as does the Toyota RAV4. Like Escape, CR-V and RAV4, the Equinox is based on a passenger-car design but has an interior like a traditional SUV. Therefore, industry observers and other car crazies call the Equinox a crossover utility because it crosses over the line from truck to car.