Holden Equinox confirmed for 2017 | video

Shorter, lighter five-seat SUV set to replace Captiva next year.

General Motors has taken the wraps off its new world-market SUV, the Equinox, overnight in the US. It's due to lob in Australia late next year as a replacement for the ancient Captiva, which has soldiered on in largely the same form since 2009 in the midst of a revolution of the medium-sized SUV segment.

Branded as a Chevrolet internationally, the US-built Equinox will be sold in 115 markets across the world when it's released next year. It's shorter and lighter than the Captiva, but will only be available in five-seat guise; the Captiva is currently available with a third row of seats in Captiva7 form.

While it's marginally longer than the Captiva at 4652mm (vs 4637mm), Chevrolet claims the Equinox is up to 180kg lighter than the vehicle it replaces.

The Equinox, meanwhile, will spearhead Holden's attack in the hotly contested medium SUV segment.

Holden says the Equinox will bring to four the number of SUVs it will release in just two years. The small Trax crossover and the Trailblazer (nee Colorado7) will be joined by the recently announced Acadia, which will go up against the likes of the Toyota Kluger when it launches here next year.

The Equinox, meanwhile, will spearhead Holden's attack in the hotly contested medium SUV segment, against the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.

It's built atop GM's new D2XX platform, which gives the Equinox multi-link rear and MacPherson strut front suspension, as well as the potential of EV or hybrid drivetrains.

While local specs have yet to be released, the Equinox will be offered with an array of engines that include a 188kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol four, a 127kW 1.5-litre four-potter and – in a first for Chevrolet, where the Equinox is its second biggest seller – a 1.6-litre turbodiesel.

A six-speed automatic will back the small engines, while the 2.0-litre turbo gets GM's new nine-speed auto. All- and front-wheel-drive configurations will also be offered.

2017 Holden Equinox.

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Safety specs will be uprated, too, with 360-degree cameras, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert to be offered on Chevy models.

An all-wheel-drive system that disconnects the rear axle when it's not needed is also mentioned, though it's not clear if it's a full-release rear axle system like the new Audi A4 Allroad.

Cargo space is listed as 846 litres with the seats up and 1798 litres when folded flat.

The Holden Captiva has done a mighty job for the General. Is the Equinox a worthy replacement? Tell us what you think in the comments below.