Like a lion closing on a water buffalo, the MKT toyed with its prey before shooting past, leaving the Navigator to waddle in its wake.

The MKT's fuel economy, style, performance and advanced features make it much more than an alternative to behemoth yester-vehicles like the Navigator, however.

It's the first Lincoln with technology, comfort and sophistication that surpasses competitors from Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Prices for the MKT start at $44,200 for a front-drive model with a 268-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. All-wheel drive models start at $46,195 with the same engine and rise to $49,200 for an MKT equipped with Ford's muscular and fuel-efficient 355-horsepower twin-turbo, direct-injection Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6. All MKTs come with a six-speed automatic transmission.

I tested a very well-equipped Ecoboost MKT that cost $53,795. All prices exclude destination charges.

The MKT's key competitors are luxury crossovers with three rows of seats like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GL-class and Volvo XC90.

Because of the Ecoboost engine's high output, V8-powered models of the Q7, X5, GL and XC90 are the most direct competitors with the vehicle I tested.

The MKT stacks up favorably, thanks to its fuel economy, performance and many sophisticated features.

Unlike traditional SUVs like the Navigator, the MKT and other crossover SUVs use a car-type unibody chassis rather than a pickup-style body-on-frame chassis. That reduces weight compared with SUVs built for serious off-roading and to tow horse trailers. The MKT can tow up to 4,500 pounds, less than its key competitors.

The all-wheel drive MKT compensates for that with more power and higher fuel economy than the V6-powered MDX and the V8-powered European competition.

The AWD MKT's twin-turbo V6 generates a whopping 350 pound-feet of torque from a measly 1,500 rpm. The throttle response is immediate and satisfying, providing confident acceleration from a stop and Navigator-devouring performance in the passing lane. There was a mild wind whistle from the passenger-side A-pillar at highway speed in the car I drove, but the MKT was otherwise quiet and comfortable.

The MKT's smooth ride and responsive handling make it feel considerably smaller than its 207.6-inch overall length.

The MKT is just 0.8 inches shorter than the bulky Navigator, but vastly more maneuverable. In parking lots, highways and curving back roads, the MKT feels nimbler than luxury crossovers like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.

The MKT offers a wide range of advanced features that include blind-spot alert, a warning of cross traffic when you back out of a parking spot, radar-based adaptive cruise control and front collision alert, voice-controlled navigation and Sync, the system Ford and Microsoft developed for voice control of mobile phones, iPods and other audio devices.

The MKT—and for the 2010 model year, Lincoln's MKS sedan—also offer a very effective system that parallel parks the car automatically. It proved faster and easier to use than the self-parking system Lexus introduced on its LS 460 luxury sedan a couple of years ago.

The driver activates the system by pressing a button labeled "Auto P."

That immediately brought out my inner Beavis and Butthead — "It says the car's gonna pee, heh, heh, heh" — but the system performed flawlessly aside from making me giggle like a seventh-grader.

The MKT's interior provides plenty of passenger room in all three rows of seats. Headroom is generous, and the 17.9 cubic feet of storage space behind the third seat is near the top of its class. With the seats folded flat, the MKT becomes a cargo hauler par excellence.

The interior materials also rate high, with soft surfaces, appealing textures and shapes. The MKT I tested featured blonde wood, light-gray perforated leather and gray and anodized trim pieces.

Tastefully applied chrome added highlights without becoming gaudy. Despite some minor misalignments between trim pieces, interior fit and finish were generally good.

The MKT's styling sets the tone for Lincoln's future models. The flowing shape and bold grille are striking and immediately recognizable, a far cry from the anonymous appearance that has plagued Lincoln's cars for a decade.

The MKT's looks, performance, technology and value make it a leader among seven-seat luxury crossover SUVs.

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2010 LINCOLN MKT WITH ECOBOOST

All-wheel drive seven-passenger luxury crossover wagon

Rating: 4 out of 4 stars

Price as tested: $53,795 (excluding destination charges)

Reasons to buy: Comfort, fuel economy, advanced features, power, looks

Shortcomings: Wind whistle at highway speed, minor trim misalignments

4 stars: Best in its class

3 stars: Above average

2 stars: Competent

1 star: Below average

KEY FEATURES

Antilock brakes with emergency brake assist; electronic brake-force distribution; rollover-sensing electronic stability control; curtain air bags; front-seat side air bags; collision warning with brake support; blind-spot and cross-traffic alert; seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters; power tailgate; adaptive headlights; 12-way power front seats; memory for driver's seat and mirrors; heated and cooled front seats; three-zone climate control; Sirius satellite radio; ambient interior lighting; leather seats; keyless entry; pushbutton start; backup assist camera and ultrasonic object detection; voice-activated navigation system; automated parallel parking, Sync voice control of mobile phones and audio devices.

EPA FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS

(All-wheel drive models)

Lincoln MKT Ecoboost: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway (regular gasoline)

Acura MDX: 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway (premium gasoline)

Audi Q7 V8: 13 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway (premium gasoline)

2009 BMW X5 4.8i: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway (premium gasoline)

Volvo XC90 V8: 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway (regular gasoline)

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STATS

Vehicle type: All-wheel drive six- or seven-passenger crossover wagon

Base price: $49,200 (excluding destination charges)

As tested: $53,795

Safety equipment: Antilock brakes with emergency brake assist; electronic brake-force distribution; rollover-sensing electronic stability control; curtain air bags; front-seat side air bags; collision warning with brake support; blind-spot and cross-traffic alert; seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters.

Specifications as tested:

Engine: 3.5-liter, variable-timing DOHC 24-valve direct-injected V6

Power: 355 horsepower at 5,700 rpm; 350 pound-feet of torque at 1,500-5,250 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway

Wheelbase: 117.9 inches

Length: 207.6 inches

Width: 85.7 inches

Height: 67.4 inches

Curb weight: 4,857 pounds

Where assembled: Oakville, Ontario

COMPARATIVE BASE PRICES

(not including destination charges)

(Automatic transmission coupes)

2009 Acura MDX w/sport and entertainment packages: $49,890

Audi Q7 4.2 Prestige Quattro: $61,000

2009 BMW X5 4.8i: $56,200

Volvo XC90 V8: $47,500