Video: 2008 Mercury Sable

Besides the name change, Mercury's also restyled the exterior of the car for 2008 and given it a more powerful V6 engine. There's no question that the Sable and its platform mate, the Ford Taurus, are two of the more sedately styled sedans on the market when it comes to exterior styling and that hurt the car when it first debuted against the, in your face Chrysler 300. Now, Mercury's revised the look of the Sable for 2008 giving it new headlights, new grille and that enhances the presence of the car, which still remains pretty sleek and well proportioned overall. There are significant changes under the Sable's hood. The new 3.5 liter V6 makes 263 horsepower and that's a big bump from the previous V6 that was in here, and it drives a six speed automatic transmission and you can choose front or all wheel drive, which is a nice option if you live somewhere where winters are harsh, but choosing the all wheel drive model drops fuel economy significantly. The front wheel drive model gets 18/28 mpg city/highway, but if you go with all wheel drive, it drops to 17/24. Some of the Sables selling points are it's smooth and quiet ride and complimenting those characteristics are comfortable front bucket seats that can be optionally finished in leather, like these ones here, and the seats can go pretty high so, it gives the driver a high seating position, which is a big selling point for some people. Also, enhancing the driving experience is thin roof pillars, so, all around visibility in the car is really good. One feature that's not present that I'd like to see is a telescoping steering wheel. This one only tilts up and down so, you can't pull it closer to you if you need to. Now, the car can have optional power adjustable pedals, which can help mitigate the lack of a telescoping wheel to some degree, but in this car, I'd still like to see that telescoping wheel. The Sable's full size dimensions mean backseat passengers have plenty of leg room and abundance space in general to get comfortable and there's also a 21.2 cubic foot trunk, which should be plenty of space for all your luggage. Additional niceties include a 60/40 split folding back seat and a fold flat passenger seat, both of which are standard. There are many different ways to attract car shoppers, whether it's by flashy, exterior design, or frugalness at the gas pump, but practical transportation, which is what the Sable represents, is a harder sell. Now, Honda and Toyota have perfected it, but Mercury isn't quite there yet as the new Sable sells only in modest numbers. Still, if you're looking for a comfortable sedan that has room for a small family, this car is worth the look. <v Announcer>For additional information on this car or any other, go to cars.com and our blog, Kicking Tires.