SUV were transacted online only, in an organized attempt to satisfy the expected high interest and demand in a technologically advanced and efficient manner. All wheel drive and 4 wheel disc brakes were standard, as was a continuously variable automatic transmission and 2.3 liter, four cylinder engine with two electric motors and a cleverly stowed battery pack under the floor. Combining the most effective and efficient performance features of a gasoline engine and an electric motor resulted in outstanding fuel efficiency and lower emissions without any loss of performance or functionality. The Hybrid provided good acceleration and operation was relatively smooth.

Although sales of this model were not as high as expected, a little more marketing coupled with increased consumer interest in all things ‘green’ -or environmentally friendly - along with the rising cost of fuel and the savings associated with a hybrid model - made the 2007 Mariner Hybrid an increasingly popular consumer choice for a compact SUV, although no significant changes were made to distinguish the 2006 from the 2007 model. The interior and exterior were identical to the other Mercury Mariner non-hybrid models and offered the same athletic good looks and comfortable, well designed interior for compact SUV enthusiasts that like to add a little luxury to their practical daily drives.

The entire line of Mariner’s was redesigned for the 2008 model year. Affordable, functional and attractive, the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid accommodates more than 60 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seat in the down position. Up to five passengers can enjoy the deluxe interior, smooth and quiet operation and new MP3 player connectivity. The speed and handling of this compact hybrid SUV are not superior, but the acceleration is good, the ride is relatively smooth and the price is right.

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.

2010 model year. 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 several hybrids out now and more than a few are in direct competition with the Milan Hybrid in the midsize class. These include both foreign and domestic makes such as the Nissan Altima Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Saturn Aura Hybrid.

The gasoline engine for the Milan Hybrid is a 2.5 liter, 155 horsepower I4. Like many hybrids, the engine is matched with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It comes only as a sedan.

Unlike some other hybrids, the Milan has only one electric motor, but it can run the car up to 47 miles per hour for up to 8 minutes without use of the gasoline engine. It can also run the air conditioner without the gasoline engine. The electric motor is smaller than on previous Ford products and can be cooled without use of the air conditioner.

Like most hybrids, the Milan gets better mileage in town, where the electric motor is used more frequently due to slower speeds and stop and go traffic, than on the highway. In city driving the Milan gets 41 miles per gallon, while on the highway it gets 36. That’s actually better than class average for hybrids.

The Milan also has better front legroom than class average but headroom and torque lag behind. It is worth noting that when matched against the general midsize car population instead of the hybrid population, the headroom is about average.

There are no NHTSA or IIHS numbers for the Milan Hybrid, but there are IIHS numbers for the 2010 Milan line in general. It gets a G, Good (the best rating) in all categories but two. It gets an A, Acceptable (the second best rating out of four possible) for the likelihood of head and neck or right leg and foot injuries.

The Milan Hybrid has a number of the more common safety features including child safety locks, antilock brakes with traction control and vehicle stabilization system, remote keyless ignition and start, electronic parking aid and inside trunk release. However, some common safety features are missing, such as electronic braking assistance and a first aid kit.

Whether considered as a midsize or a hybrid, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid beats class average on price, starting at $27,500. Sooner or later they’re going to make these things pay, and the Milan Hybrid may be a step in the right direction.

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.

During the 1950s and 60s Mercury went through several identity changes, moving between being a spiffed up Ford to a toned down Lincoln, to having its own body designs. It’s best success was during the 1950’s when most of its designs were essentially stretched and lowered Ford platforms. In the early 1970s, the brand separated itself from Ford somewhat, and offered such models as the Park Lane, Cougar and Marquis, but by the end of the decade, and through the 1980s, Mercury was once again joined at the hip with Ford, to the former’s detriment.

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.

They were no longer shipped from Europe after the end of the 1977 model year. A few remaining 1977 Capris were sold as 1978 models. Starting in 1979, the European Capri was replaced in the North American market by the “Fox” Chassis Capri. (see below) Production of the European Capri continued for the European market until 1986. Over a half a million European Capris were sold in North America between 1970 and 1978.

The European Ford Capri was developed as a “baby Mustang” for that market, a 2-door car with a short trunklid (later hatchback) and a long hood. North American-spec Capris were built in Cologne, Germany, and were sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. The European Capri was first sold in the US in April 1970. It carried no marque identification, and was named simply the Capri, but it was often (and inaccurately) called the Mercury Capri, as Ford already had a Mustang (and its twin, the Mercury Cougar) for the same buyer market.

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