Highway Safety has chosen the Monterey as a ‘Best Pick’. It’s extensive list of safety features and notable amenities have contributed towards making the Monterey one of the best minivan deals in today’s market. The roomy, well appointed interior is designed to be comfortable and includes user friendly and conveniently placed controls. Three rows of seats accommodate up to seven passengers, with removable second row captains chairs and a third row seat that can be folded down easily for extra cargo space- or flipped backwards to allow for tailgate bench seating. All in all, the Monterey is a practical, well appointed mini van, amongst a sea of SUV’s.

Equipped with a 4.2 liter V6, this front wheel drive mini van is much larger than its predecessor, and with its distinctive interior and exterior styling the Monterey is not very reminiscent of the Villager at all with the exception of an affordable price range. Unlike the Villager, the Monterey’s rear seat conveniently folds down into the floor to allow for more cargo area, side curtain airbags protect driver and passengers and a power liftgate makes loading and unloading much easier.

Although sales of the mini van were not astounding, Mercury invested in improving its mini van for 2005 and 2006 with optional towing packages and leather seats featuring heating and cooling with suede inserts and a leather and wood steering wheel. T

Today, Mercury’s range is rather small and quite similar to those automobiles sold under the Ford brand. It’s alliance with Lincoln, which dealers also sell Mercury cars to appeal to those seeking lower prices, has kept the brand alive, and the introduction of new models like the Montego and Mariner has helped it continue on, and right now it is marketing aggressively, and is rumored to be actively trying to appeal specifically to female drivers. The positive response to the Mercury Milan girl commercial has been greater than we had expected.

Lincoln Mercury Division, in the hopes that it would come to be known as a sort of Lincoln junior. In 1949, when Ford and Lincoln were also radically redesigned, Mercury introduced the first of its modes with integrated bodies, and in 1952 it updated its look again. In 1958 Lincoln-Mercury combined with Edsel as the Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division, but with the 1960 demise of Edsel, the original Lincoln-Mercury name was restored, and it has remained ever since.

It’s coming out strong boasting that it will deliver more fuel efficiency (as a 4-cylinder) than both the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. This is particularly impressive as the Fusion and the Milan are right near the bottom of their class in terms of fuel efficiency at present. That means that your new Milan will deliver you 33 mpg on the highway which is in a 3-way tie with the Chevy Malibu, the Pontiac G6 and the Saturn Aura.

The base engine for the Mercury Milan for 2010 is a 2.5L 175hp 172 lb-ft DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder that is married to either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission - your choice. Together, they will propel you quickly from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 9.5 seconds - a full second faster than the previous year’s model. The turning radius has likewise been shaved by a full 6 inches making those tight parking spots less problematic.

You are free to opt for the more powerful 3.0L 240hp 222 lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V6 Milan sedan - or even the 2.5L 155-hp 136 lb-ft DOHC 16-valve/electric motor Milan Hybrid. Ford reports that both the Fusion and Milan hybrids will transport you a whopping 38 mpg on the highways. You could travel from Salt Lake City to LA on a single tank of fuel (roughly 700 miles). In addition, the hybrid 155hp/ electric motor combo is capable of cruising you up to 47 mph on electrical current alone - no fuel used whatsoever. Hmm.

The Ford Easy Fuel capless fueling system is a convenient and clean feature that people really like a lot. Other cool features include a freshly-widened grille and redesigned headlamps, less-obtrusive side reflector lights, and a new sporty stripe that chases the curvature of the front-end wheel well. Milan’s rear end remains unchanged besides taillight revisions. .

The 2010 Milan is also reported by Ford to be significantly quieter than the 2009. Insulators for the hood have been added as well as new materials for the headliner and trunk noise-deadening enhancements. The seats have been redone to be firmer and more comforting for longer journeys. They also feature increased side support. The driver-friendly instrument panel is personally configurable to display variables such as fuel level, battery power level, current and averaged mpg and more. There is even a blue-lighted vine graphic feature that brags on you (in color) when you are driving with appreciable efficiency.

The 2010 Mercury Milan will be arriving at your local dealers in the spring of 2009. MSRPs begin at $21,000 for the base sedan and $27,500 for the hybrid models. Check one out and see if you too are crazy ’bout a Mercury.

There are two trim levels available for the 2010 Mountaineer: the Base and the Premier. Both are available with your choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. Additionally, you have your choice between two separate powertrain configurations: a 4.0L 210hp V6 in conjunction with a 5-speed automatic tranny or a beefier 4.6L 292hp V8 mated to an optional 6-speed auto transmission. Both powertrain configurations perform very well. You may choose the more powerful configuration if you are inclined towards adverse terrain conditions regularly. For city driving though, the 4.0L engine provides plenty of juice.

If you opt for the Premiere trim level, you will be treated to 18-inch chrome wheels, dual-zoned automatic climate control, leather upholstery, satellite radio, the SYNC Communications System and a very convenient third-row of seating. Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control system provides you with electronic rollover protection that constantly monitors the probability that the vehicle will capsize. In fact, it determines that probability 100 times per second. In addition, your safety is enhanced with anti-lock brakes, a nice assortment of front, side and curtain airbags, electronic traction control and more.

The 2010 Mountaineer from Mercury has not seen very many changes from the 2009 models. New standard equipment, including a powered moonroof, position-memorizing heated front seats, adjustable foot pedals, separate climate control for the rear areas and an intense new audio system are all stock features. One very popular feature that is helping the Mountaineer to sell quite well is the Ford Reverse Sensing System. When you are reversing at low speeds, this system provides you with an audible signal whenever there is an object behind you. As you get closer and closer to the object, the audible signal beeps faster and faster.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing for the 2010 Mountaineer ranges from $29,080 up to $36,780. Fuel efficiency ratings are not spectacular, but are adequate considering the class. The Mountaineer will deliver you 14 miles for every gallon of fuel spent in the cities and 20 MPG on the highways.

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer has been designed and manufactured to allow buyers to experience increased comfort, luxury and styling when they’re in the market for a mid-sized SUV. In other words, if you have the extra money, these Mountaineers are going to make the Ford Explorer seem inferior on every level. And don’t forget, the Explorer is and has been one of the best-selling trucks-style SUVs in automotive history. Check out the new Mercury Mountaineer and get to know the finer side of Ford.

Powered by a 201 horsepower, 4.2-liter V6 with afour-speed automatic transmission, and an estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 23 highway on a 26 gallon tank.

Cargo volume is 134.3 cubic feet behind the first row, 71.6 behind the second, and 27.6 behind the third. With the most basic towing package (Class I) the Monterey can handle 2,000 lbs.; with the higher-end (Class II) package 3,500 lbs.

The standard audio is an AM/FM/CD combo with six-disc, in-dash changer and speed-sensitive volume control. The optional rear-seat entertainment system includes a DVD player with a flip-down, seven-inch LCD and two wireless headphones, back seat sound controls, a remote control, and video and audio jacks to connect game equipment.

Standard safety equipment on the 2007 Mercury Montery includes side impact airbags for the front seat, and a “Safety Canopy” system with side-curtain bags covering all three rows of seats (outboard passengers only). Other features include the a vehicle stability system that also offers traction controlthe LATCH system for child safety seats, and an anti-theft alarm.

Premier V6 for $31,060; and the Premier V8 for $32,355. The standard V6 has 210 horsepower engine and 254 lb-ft. of torque while the 4.6-liter, 3-valve V8 will allow for towing loads of up to 7,130 lbs. The Mountaineer meets the stict “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II” rating requirements and offers fuel economy ranging from 14 city, 20 highway to 15/21 depending on the configuration.

With seating for up to seven, the Mountaineer has standard leather first and second-row seats with an option for leather-trimmed bucket seats with suede inserts (these are standard on the Premier.) Cargo room is flexible according to seat position. With the available fold-flat third-row seats as much as 83.7 cubic feet becomes usable.

A seven-speaker sound system with AM/FM/CD and a six-disc, in-dash changer is available and can include SIRIUS satellite radio. The optional DVD entertainment system for the back seat comes with two wireless headphones and a celing-mounted, eight-inch, flip-down, color LCD screen.

The “Safety Canopy” airbag system provides enhanced protection for occupants of the 2007 Mercury Mountaineer with both front and side-curtain airbags outfitted with rollover sensors. Both front passengers and outboard passengers in the back seats are protected by crash-sensing technology interpreting data from multiple sources.

Ford by its luxurious interior and elegant vertical line style and polished chrome accented exterior. This mid size SUV features all wheel drive capability and seating for up to 7 passengers. Due to their gas guzzling nature, larger SUV’s have lost potential owners to more fuel efficient vehicles, but for those who have the need for a great deal of passenger and cargo space combined with all wheel drive and towing capabilities, the Mountaineer is very nicely equipped and priced right. Changes for the 2008 model year include taking a few of the features that were previously included on the standard equipment list and moving them over to the list of options. A few new optional features are now available, including 20 inch wheels and the ‘Mercury Sync’ system which was designed in conjunction with Microsoft and enables centralized operation of iPods, cell phones, and other electronic devices either by voice or manually.

The Mountaineer is available in base and Premier trim levels and both come standard with rear wheel drive, while all wheel drive is optional. The Base model has two rows of seats and accommodates 5 passengers. A long list of standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, a six-way power driver seat, cruise control, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio controls and a CD player stereo with auxiliary audio jack. Options include is a 3rd Row Seat Package that bundles a 50/50-split fold flat rear bench seat and auxiliary climate control. A Comfort Options Package is also available and will add heated leather seats, dual zone climate control and power adjustable front seats.

The Premier trim comes standard with the third-row seat and most of the equipment from the Comfort Package. Options for this model include a Third-Row Seat Elite Package that allows for power operated folding of the 3rd row seat. Many a la carte options are also available and include upgraded premium sound systems; power operated running boards, a towing package, a navigation system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system and rear park assist.

Power is provided by either the standard 4.0 liter V6 engine or the optional 4.6 liter V8, which is only available for the Premier trim. The V6 is mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission and delivers 210 horsepower. The V8 comes with a 6 speed automatic and produces 292 horsepower. Both engines can be outfitted with either rear wheel drive or all wheel drive and the maximum towing capacity is 7220 pounds. The Mountaineer received EPA estimates of 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, regardless of drivetrain configuration. The 0 to 60 speed is respectable at 8.3 seconds.

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer will appeal to consumers who need ample passenger space and a reliable vehicle with towing capabilities but want a smooth riding, agile handling, plush, well equipped cabin. With below average fuel economy and a resale value that is expected to be poor, the purchase of a Mountaineer should be based on the need for its practical functionality, with the upscale look and feel being a really nice bonus.

It competes domestically with the likes of Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Acadia, Dodge Journey, Saturn Outlook and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Challenger imports include Hyundai Veracruz, Nissan Murano, Toyota 4Runner, Pilot and Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Endeavor.

The last time there was any significant change in body style was in the 2006 model year. Only minor changes this year, but one nice touch is the new trailer sway control. While the Mountaineer doesn’t particularly stand out, it is a sharp looking vehicle inside and out. It is considered underpowered, though, and the warranty is far from best in class.

The Mountaineer comes in two trims: Base and Premier. Either comes in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. With the right package, towing capacity can reach almost seven thousand pounds, closing in on double the class average. Cargo space is also nice, at better than 50 percent above class average.

The Mountaineer has two engines available. The Base model gets a 210 horsepower 4.0 liter V6. Premier can get the same engine or a 292 horsepower 4.6 liter V8. The six-cylinder engine is matched with a five-speed automatic transmission and the eight-cylinder is matched with a six-speed automatic, both with overdrive. Best fuel economy is with the rear-wheel drive eight-cylinder engine, which gets 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. Overall, fuel efficiency could be improved.

Mountaineer also does well on safety with five-star front and side impact ratings from NHTSA, slightly above class average. The three-star rollover rating is a rather low average for these vehicles. Mountaineer has child safety locks, tire pressure monitor, anti-theft system, antilock brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control, stability control and airbags everywhere - all standard. You can also get an electronic parking aid.

The Base model comes standard with automatic headlights, a full size spare tire, heated power exterior mirror, rear window defogger, leather covered tilt steering wheel, trip computer, power front seats, second row removable seats, power windows and door locks and tow hitch receiver. Available either as options or trim upgrades you can get a running board, adjustable foot pedals, six-CD changer with premium sound system, navigation system, DVD player, heated front seats with memory and power lumbar support, removable third row seat and sunroof.

Base price on the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer is an easy on the pocketbook $27,225, certainly among the best prices in class for what you get. With that in mind, Mountaineer’s “problems” just don’t seem large enough to keep it from getting a good look from anyone wanting a midsize SUV.

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