Staying very close to last year's MKT concept in terms of exterior shape, the luxurious six-seat MKT production crossover is Ford's attempt to inject life into the Lincoln brand. As Gordon Platto, Lincoln's chief designer puts it: it's also "for people for which SUVs don't fit their lifestyle anymore". Based on an updated and enlarged version of the Ford D3 platform (derived from Volvo's P2 platform), the MKT is basically an estate version of the MKS or, if you prefer, the Lincoln brother of the Ford Flex. However, no body panels are shared with the Flex (not even the door frames), because the MKT has a fully differentiated top head that includes a fixed or moveable vista roof.  

The exterior is characterized by the massive bow-wave split grille with the star logo in the middle, as seen on recent Lincoln concepts and production cars, but also by its kick-up in the chamfered beltline and bustleback rear. The concept's zero-offset bumpers have been kept. According to Platto, the car (or should we say truck?) gets its stately side proportions from a 1/3 - 2/3 ration between the DLO and the sheet metal. The liftgate is made of magnesium, which yields a 9kg weight saving. Impressively, most versions will stand on 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the MKT is true to the 'rolling plushness' aspired to by the Lincoln brand, and offers what it calls 'three rows of luxury'. The fit and finish is impressive, and the glitzy crystal-like instrument cluster, with its accentuated impression of depth, well resolved. While it might not give Mercedes R-Class much to worry about, the MKT looks like a worthy addition to the burgeoning prestige crossover market.

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Lincoln MKT concept - Detroit 2008

Honda only got to enjoy the ‘hybrid limelight' for a single day at the NAIAS before the company synonymous with the technology, Toyota, hit back with the unveil of its third-generation Prius hatchback (due this summer).

The new car keeps the second-generation's distinctive ‘dynamic triangle' hatchback profile, with its large C-pillar, four-pane window graphic and familiar two-piece glass tailgate. However the A-pillar has been extended forward and the highest point of the roof moved almost 100mm towards the rear. This emphasizes the wedge shape, increases rear headroom and improves the car's aerodynamics - now down to 0.25 Cd. The front face has been refreshed too, with more angular headlamps and a new narrow two-vane grille either side of the central badge, bringing it stylistically in line with the Matrix, Aygo and Yaris.

The interior has also seen significant change. More spacious than the outgoing model, the cabin gets a new interpretation of the arching floating center stack first featured on the Auris. The surface of the stack's insert and other trim elements feature a surprisingly good-looking and unusual grey slate-effect treatment. The slim center air vents are well integrated into the sweep of the IP design too, but this Prius showcar - like the new Honda Insight - does suffer from some cheap, tinny plastics, in the door trims especially. European models may get a higher standard specification. The Prius also offers numerous new options, including a sliding glass moonroof packed with solar panels that can absorb enough light to power the aircon.

Overall, the design direction of the new production Prius was generally regarded as a pleasantly proficient surprise that should help keep it ahead of its new Insight rival.

With other Japanese carmakers either missing or in a very subdued mood, NAIAS 2009 was Subaru's chance to shine. While undeniably bright in its burnished ‘Ultimate Silver' paint job, we can't help thinking that the Legacy mid-size sedan concept marks yet another opportunity missed for the quirky Asian brand.

Subaru design boss Osamu Namba says, "Harnessing sharp body lines gives the exterior a sense of sharp dynamism". It certainly has presence; sitting on a 81mm longer wheelbase than the current car and measuring an extra 97mm in length, the 2010 Legacy will move up half a class into Toyota Camry/VW Passat territory. Much of the design effort has gone into disguising the car's mass: between the raised hood and trunk is an unfashionably deep DLO that perches on top of a very strong shoulder line which joins the car's overtly flared wheelarches. The latter are intended to underline the car's all-wheel-drive nature. But in light of their prominence and the car's almost cartoonishly large wing-themed grille and stacked headlamp arrangement, the decision to decorate the doors with tiny rear-view cameras seems particularly ill advised.

The Legacy concept's wing motif has been carried over rather too literally to the design of the center console, which dominates the dashboard like the black obelisk from Kubrick's sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey. "The inside is designed to excite the senses," says Namba, who describes the interior as combining "high definition with a feeling of comfort." While we like the integrated Mercedes-style electric seat controls and touch-screen infotainment strip in the rear armrest, the blue-polarized cream upholstery looks tacky and the obviously production-ready interior moldings feel hard to the touch. Subaru will have its work cut out convincing people to defect from more mainstream sedans when the Legacy goes on sale later this year.