Expert Reviews
By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National August 27, 2008Vehicle Overview
The Mercury Mountaineer is closely related to the Ford Explorer but has more luxury content. It competes against other upscale full-size SUVs, such as the Buick Enclave, Saab 9-7X and Chrysler Aspen. The Mountaineer comes equipped with a fair amount of standard safety equipment, and the top engine is a 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 that drives a six-speed automatic transmission. Available in base or Premier trim, it is built with body-on-frame construction, as are the Explorer and other truck-based SUVs.
New for 2009
The Mountaineer gets Sync and Sirius Satellite Radio standard on Premier models, standard black crossbars for the roof rails on all models, and a new navigation system.
Exterior
Mercury says the front styling and rectangular headlights suggest a subtle evolution in the company's design direction, with an emphasis on the vertically stacked front-end elements. The Mountaineer measures 193.4 inches long, 73.7 inches wide and 72.8 inches tall. Compared to its competition, it has the smallest width, is similar in length to the 9-7X, and is close in height to the Enclave. All of the Mountaineer's dimensions are smaller than those of the Aspen.
- 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels
- Satin aluminum touches on exterior
- Available power-retractable running boards
- Standard black crossbars for roof rails
- Standard capless fuel filler system
Interior
The Mountaineer can carry five or seven occupants. The Sync communication system, developed with Microsoft, integrates phones and media players and allows those devices to be voice-activated.
- Available heated seats
- Second-row seats can be bench or buckets; they recline on the Premier
- Sync is standard on Premier; optional on base models
- Sirius Satellite Radio standard on Premier
- Optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system with 8-inch video screen
- New optional navigation system
Under the Hood
There is a choice between a V-6 or V-8 engine for the Mountaineer.
- 210-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 with 254 pounds-feet of torque
- 292-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 with 315 pounds-feet of torque
- Five-speed automatic with V-6; six-speed automatic with V-8
- Rear- or all-wheel drive
- Can tow up to 7,055 pounds when properly equipped
Safety
Standard features include:
- Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes
- Side-impact and side curtain airbags
- AdvanceTrac electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control
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