The 2016 Lincoln MKT might not be the first luxury crossover that comes to mind, but it's nevertheless capable and upscale, able to rival some of the best from Europe and Asia. And though it may be showing its age a little, the 5-door, 6- or 7-passenger MKT has a distinctive and handsome profile in both trims: the 3.7L and the 3.5L EcoBoost AWD (all-wheel drive). Its defining swooped roofline, however, does it no favors in terms of its rear-seat passenger headroom or cargo space, which remains an unimpressive 75.9 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seatbacks folded.

Based on the Ford Flex platform, Lincoln’s 2016 MKT offers no significant upgrades over the 2015 edition other than a slight shuffling of standard and optional features and some minor tweaks to the MyLincoln Touch telematics. There are, however, a few hints from various media outlets that the MKT will be phased out during the next few years to make way for a reborn Lincoln Aviator. Stay tuned!

In any case, powering the base 2016 3.7L is a 3.7-liter normally aspirated V6 that puts out 303 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. Offered only with front-wheel-drive (FWD), the 3.7L is paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission that sports steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and manages to post mileage estimates of 17 mpg city/25 highway/20 combined.

If you’re willing to spend some additional money for improved power and performance in your 2016 MKT, consider the 3.5L EcoBoost AWD. Boasting a standard full-time all-wheel drivetrain mated to a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 powerplant and the 6-speed shiftable automatic, this mill puts out 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, able to get you comfortably through wintry weather or mucky back roads. Three driver-selectable modes, Normal, Sport, and Comfort, adjust throttle response, suspension damping, steering effort, and shifting to suit your current driving needs. Mileage estimates with the force-fed 3.5L EcoBoost AWD drop a little, to 16/23/18.

Both MKT trims feature 19-inch alloy wheels, a power rear liftgate, and a power sunroof. Inside, look for leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated second-row seats, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, power-adjustable telescoping tilt-wheel steering, and newly-standard power-adjustable pedals.

Also returning for 2016 are such features as a rear-view camera, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and Bluetooth-integrated SYNC voice-activated infotainment, bolstered by the newly upgraded MyLincoln Touch voice-recognition technology, which again offers mobile WiFi hotspot capability. Entertainment comes in the form of a single CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio input.

The 3.5L EcoBoost AWD adds a sport-tuned adjustable suspension, along with options like a towing package, GPS navigation, and THX II premium audio that features 600 watts and 14 Surround Sound speakers. Optional equipment available on both trims includes second-row captain’s chairs (for 6-passenger capacity), various upgrades to interior accent materials, and a power-folding third-row seat.

Standard safety equipment aboard the MKT includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, 3-row head curtain airbags, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, and adaptive high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. SYNC-interfaced emergency communications and alerts, a post-collision safety system, and a remote antitheft alarm all come standard as well. The safety-oriented Technology Package, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, and Active Park Assist (front and rear parking sensors) is available on the MKT 3.5L EcoBoost AWD, while a blind-spot monitor is optional on both trims..

There is no government safety testing data for the MKT, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the current version its best rating of “Good” overall.

The 2016 Lincoln MKT again goes up against such opponents as Acura’s MDX, Audi’s Q7, Buick’s Enclave, and Infiniti’s QX60, all of which are similarly equipped and priced.