The Taurus X crossover vehicle was sold as the Freestyle from 2005 to 2007. The X features some exterior remodeling, a larger engine, and a conventional automatic transmission. Its main selling points are its high safety ratings and a roomy third-row seat.

But it holds little appeal for the image-conscious.

With its rename came a nose job that replaced the Freestyle’s dated look with stylized headlights and the bolder chrome grille I’ve come to like on most of Ford’s recent models. The hood, front fenders, and taillights also have been changed, and the roof rack was beefed up, according to Ford.

To me, it still looks like an overgrown wagon. I don’t consider that a bad thing, but many people do.

There are three Taurus X trim levels: the SEL, Eddie Bauer, and Limited, each of which comes with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Ford seems to have figured out how to improve ride quality in most of its models, and the Taurus X is no exception. It’s comfortable without being floaty, and the handling is up for whatever the driver is likely to throw it into. The Taurus X isn’t a sport wagon, but it isn’t a lumbering minivan, either. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and an electronic stability system are standard.

One of the main complaints about the Freestyle and Five Hundred models was that they were underpowered. The continuously variable automatic transmission also was poorly received. The Taurus X addresses both issues by changing from a 3.0-liter V-6 engine to a 3.5-liter V-6 and a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

The improvement is evident immediately, thanks to a 60-horsepower increase, to 263 horsepower. It is felt most under high-rev acceleration and middle- and high-speed passing. Still no rocket, the X is now at least powerful enough - some would say more than enough. My Taurus X SEL was equipped with all-wheel drive, the heavier of the two drivelines, so it’s reasonable to expect the front-wheel-drive model to be as quick or quicker.

I support the concept behind CVTs, but their performance differs greatly from one to the next. The Freestyle’s was slow to react, and it seemed to bring out the worst in the 3.0-liter V-6 by causing it to rev too readily into high and noisy engine speeds. The new, stronger engine doesn’t need to work as hard to begin with, and the six-speed ensures the engine sound comes only when you expect it.

The cabin’s positives include roomy seats in all three rows and easy-to-use folding seats. On the downside are so-so materials and some shoddy build quality. By the numbers, the front seat isn’t especially roomy, but at 6 feet tall I found it more than workable. The steering wheel tilts, but doesn’t telescope. Power-adjustable pedals are available on all trim levels. The driver has a good view of the road without being needlessly high. The view to the rear isn’t bad, but the optional flip-down video screen for the back seat made my rearview mirror almost useless

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