My test car had seating for seven and three sets of Latch connectors. It had a standard three-seat bench for the second row (optional bucket seats cost $995 and make the MKT a six-seater), with two sets of Latch connectors in the outboard positions; the third set of Latch connectors was in the third row.

You can't get to the third row without folding part of 60/40-split second-row bench. This is a problem for families with child-safety seats in both Latch positions. Unless you remove one of the car seats in the second row, you can't properly fold the second-row seat to get to the back. If you think it's tiring reading about it, just think about doing that every day. Yes, there's a power-folding seat in the second row, but it only folds forward, not back. What a hassle.

The Latch connectors are somewhat difficult to find because of the stiff seat cushions surrounding them. The tether anchors are at the base of the bench seat, which is difficult to reach when kneeling on the bench seat.

Although it was difficult to install a forward-facing convertible seat because of the stiff seat cushions, there was plenty of room for a rear-facing convertible and infant-safety seat. A high-back booster seat fit well in both the second and third rows.

The MKT has standard antilock brakes, electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control, rear parking sensors and backup camera. It also has standard front- and side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows.

The crossover has an optional blind spot warning system and Collision Warning with Brake Support, which works with the adaptive cruise control. If the adaptive cruise control system senses that traffic is slowing but you're not, the system will warn you with a bright red LED display on the windshield. If you don't slow down the vehicle readies the brakes for an aggressive stop.