The Lincoln MKT is a prime example of the design phenomenon that smoothly rounded styling often makes a vehicle look smaller than it is. With the debatable exception of the MKT grille, the vehicle has a graceful, attractive, and declaratively chrome-y American presence. Its toothy grille seems a bit overbearing, purportedly a latter-day restatement of the timelessly elegant 1939 Lincoln Continental prow.

In profile, the MKT's hunchback character line at the aft side windows adds interest, though the dramatic narrowing of these third windows is fair warning that third-row headroom and space is limited.

The distinctive, somewhat bluff styling of the rear end and power hatch resembles the tail of a Chrysler PT Cruiser on growth hormones. Handsome 19- or 20-inch sport wheels and wide tires give the MKT a sportingly dynamic tone.

But make no mistake, this full-size crossover is figuratively and literally a whale of a vehicle. Bumper to bumper, it is longer than two of its primary full-size rivals, Acura MDX and Audi Q7. It also has a considerably longer wheelbase than either of these offshore entries. The MDX roofline is lower than either the Acura or the Audi, lending it a handsomely modeled and noticeably sleeker stance than its competitors. At 4925 pounds in EcoBoost all-wheel-drive form, it is slightly heavier than the MDX but a massive 500 pounds lighter than the heavy Audi Q7.

The prospect of parallel parking all this bulk in a normal parking space might seem an intimidating chore. For those who need help, and we all do, Lincoln offers an active park-assist option, which will handle all the backing and turning automatically, only asking the driver to operate the brakes. We've tried it and it works well.

Interior

From the moment you climb into the Lincoln MKT, you are struck by the bright, up atmosphere of its interior. Light colors, leather and bright blonde wood surround you, and the wood is real.

The steering wheel is trimmed with wood and contains all the expected buttons for cruise control and audio adjustment. The audio is powerful, excellent and easy to use. And what is this! The audio system is tuned with genuine, old-fashioned, functional radial knobs. Brilliant! The substantial chrome-and-leather shifter fills your palm, but for those who want to control their six-speed transmission more actively, paddle shifters behind the steering wheel offer gearshift-by-gearshift driving.

To the driver's right in the center stack of the console is a touch-screen monitor, delivering all the countless cyber-communication virtues of navigation, weather information and so on included in Lincoln Sync. With available voice-activation, you can select whatever function you need without removing your hands from the wheel.

The leather-upholstered driver and passenger seats are extremely comfortable, and both feature 12-way adjustment and lumbar support. Your passenger has no grounds for complaining of second-class service. Both heating and cooling are available, and the front seating is an excellent blend of alert lateral support and well-tailored comfort.

Hand-stitched leather covers all the surfaces not already covered in blonde wood. Deluxe. Two indispensable cupholders are provided for each of the MKT's three rows, and the second row seats are provided with a separate climate-control system.

An available power folding mechanism for the second row seats flops them forward at the touch of a button to allow third-row riders easy access, though as mentioned, the dimensions of the third-row compartment are tight and best suited to mid-sized or smaller children. Yet even with all three rows full, there is still a small but serviceable stowage space aft of the third seat.

Generous interior courtesy lighting is provided, welcoming all passengers. The very roomy second row features available massive twin bucket seats, with adjustable lumbar support. Power takeoffs are distributed throughout the interior for operating personal electronics.