2007 Lincoln MKX By Jim McCraw, New Car Test Drive .com

An all-new crossover utility vehicle from Lincoln is expected this spring. The 2007 Lincoln MKX is expected to compete with the Cadillac SRX, Acura MDX, Lexus RX and BMW X5. Like other crossovers, or CUVs as they're now being called, the MKX is built more like a car than a truck yet offers the cargo space and higher seating position of sport utility vehicles that are built more like trucks.

The MKX will seat five passengers and will deliver the largest cargo area in its class, according to Lincoln. It's designed to offer a smooth ride with handling more like that of a car, a benefit of its independent front and rear suspensions. It's expected to weigh less than a truck-based SUV and offer better fuel economy.

The Lincoln MKX (pronounced "Mark X") will share its basic structure with the upcoming Ford Edge crossover and Lincoln Zephyr sedan. It will be produced at Ford's Oakville Assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. The same vehicle that was called the Aviator concept last year has arrived pretty much intact as the Lincoln MKX.

Lincoln sources told us that it will be priced competitively, about $32,000-$38,000.

With a new eggcrate grille design, a blackout treatment for the side windows and pillars, a rear roof spoiler and full-width taillamps, this MKX is about as cool and contemporary a CUV as any on the market. There's news on top, too, with a Vista Roof option that packages a 27x29-inch front sunroof and a fixed 15x31-inch rear panorama roof panel, a feature not commonly found in CUVs. Adaptive front lighting, heated and cooled front seats with heated rear seats, a 14-speaker, 600-watt THX audio system, and DVD navigation are among the luxury amenities available.

The Lincoln MKX will come standard with a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS), Roll Stability Control, a rollover mitigation system, dual-stage front airbags, and side curtain air bags. An intelligent all-wheel-drive system will be optional.

The interior appears to be spectacular based on our view of it when it was shown in Detroit at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The vehicle we saw featured round instruments in square holes, white LED lighting, a cream white interior scheme based on huge leather bucket seats, lots of brushed metal finishing around the dashboard and instrument panel, and blond maple woodgrain trim. Power folding rear seats and a power liftgate are optional. With the seats down, there is 69 cubic feet of cargo space.