Our test vehicle is equipped with the optional rear-seat entertainment system. The DVD player is mounted on the ceiling, so young children might play with the buttons and eject the disc. Whatever, we can listen to music in front while the kids are silently listening to their favourite movie with their wireless headphones. The only problem is that the roof is low; when the screen is lowered, we can hardly see through the back window.

Improvements in the powertrain department start with the arrival of the Duratec 35.

Improved performance
The major complaint regarding the Freestyle has been addressed. The old 3.0-liter V6 had a hard time channelling its 203 horsepower through a continuously-variable transmission. It's all been ditched in favour a the new Duratec 35 V6, a DOHC, 24-valve 3.5-liter engine that produces 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque. Power is now transmitted through a 6-speed automatic.

The Taurus X accelerates with more authority than the Freestyle, and passing on the highway is no longer science-fiction. Curiously, towing capacity is still rated at 2,000 lbs (907 kg).

As for fuel consumption, its ratings haven't yet been published by Ford (neither has Natural Resources Canada, for that matter), but expect a similar average as with the Freestyle. I couldn't do better than 13.5 L/100 km.

For having driven other Ford sport-utilities, I must say that the road manners of the Taurus X are pretty good. It stays planted on the road, exhibits less body roll than the Escape, and has a more comfortable ride than the Edge.

Competition
The Taurus X has a base price of $33,999, an increase of $600 over the outgoing Freestyle. The test model is a Limited AWD ($41,999) and includes the following options: chrome wheels ($595), heated rear seats ($495), the rear-seat DVD system ($1,195) and the navigation system ($2,300). The bill adds up to $46,584.

Here's a look at the competition in the crossover category that offers a passenger capacity of 6 or more:

Chrysler Pacifica Limited AWD with DVD and navigation, $49,770
GMC Acadia SLT2 AWD with DVD and navigation, $54,255
Hyundai Veracruz Limited (n/a with navigation), $45,995
Mazda CX-9 GT AWD with DVD and navigation, $51,670
Saturn Outlook XR AWD with DVD and navigation, $46,850
Suzuki XL7 AWD with DVD, $36,795, or with navigation, $37,995
Toyota Highlander Limited with navigation (n/a with DVD), $53,050

The Taurus X positions itself well against the competition.