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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Mercury
'Didn't we just have this car?' my wife asked as she climbed into the new Mercury Mountaineer.
That was a sure sign of trouble. It was our first time in the new Mountaineer, but we had driven a Ford Explorer just two weeks previous, and the two trucks share platforms. Since my lovely spouse is not a car person and usually has to have platform-mates pointed out to her, for her to pick this up on her own suggested that there's far too much similarity between the Mountaineer and its cousin the Explorer.
The upside to the similarity is that the updated-for-2006 Explorer (and, by extension, the Mountaineer) is a great truck. Revisions to the engine, suspension and most significantly the interior have revitalized the aging platform nicely.
The Mountaineer's design has been massaged subtly, without changing the basic look. The waterfall grille is the same, as are the ridged taillights. The front bumper also has a satin finish. At the rear, the tailgate has been redesigned for a cleaner appearance. New are power running boards, which extend to provide a handy step down when the doors are opened and retract out of harm's way when the Mountaineer is underway. When retracted, the new running boards also clean up the exterior appearance. Though it's easy to tell them apart when they're side-by-side, the design has been massaged so subtly that it's hard to spot a new model at first glance. Most noticeable are the new 18" alloy wheels, whose bold, fan-like pattern is unlike anything else on the road.
Similarities to the Explorer aside, the Mountaineer has a stunning interior, thanks to bold dark-on-light seats with a unique grid pattern. The shifter has been relocated to the center console; the larger center tunnel intrudes on interior space somewhat, but there's more space for small objects. Headroom isn't as generous as in some of the competition, but the ride is luxury-car silent. Three-row seating is available, and power-folding rear seats work slowly but save a fair amount of reaching and pulling. The chairs are comfortable and tall in the first two rows; the third-row seats are strictly for children. The available rear-seat DVD entertainment system is nicely packaged for road trips.
As always, a V6 is standard, with an optional V8. The new three-valve 4.6 liter V8 engine offers a healthy boost in power, from the V6's 210 horsepower to 292. The larger engine is better suited to the big Mountaineer; the V6 is more economical, but this is an awful lot of vehicle for a six-cylinder to haul around and we prefer the V8. Variable cam timing keeps the 4.6 V8's output smooth throughout the powerband. The Mountaineer moves out with authority, and the new six-speed automatic transmission selects ratios with seamless precision. Unfortunately the new powerplant doesn't do much for fuel economy, which remains a dismal 14 in town and 20 on the freeway. When equipped with the V6, the gearbox is a five-speed auto. All-wheel drive is available. The Mountaineer will tow just over 7000 pounds.
Ride motions have been nicely damped and smoothed out by a combination of good ride engineering and liberal use of sound-deadening materials. The Mountaineer is still truckish compared to crossovers like the Lexus RX330 or Acura MDX, but then there's a good reason for that; the Mountaineer offers ability beyond what any crossover can offer. The Mountaineer's slightly archaic body rides on the solid, hydroformed frame of a truck, you see, and so it doesn't give up any towing or hauling ability in the name of luxury. Standard StabiliTrak stability control and Ford's Roll Stability Control systems are standard, and give the Mountaineer a sure-footed feeling during emergency maneuvers. Roll Stability Control uses a gyroscopic sensor to detect the Mountaineer's attitude and then applies the brakes and throttle to control it without being intrusive.
Looking for a mid-size luxury SUV that can still tow and haul like a truck? The redesigned Mountaineer can deliver. Three-row seating, silent road manners and a lovely interior are just the icing on top; the Mountaineer's real strengths are its strong structure and capability for real work.
Mountaineer pricing neatly overlaps the upper end of the mid-size SUV segment and the lower end of the luxury SUV segment. A V8-powered Mountaineer Premier starts at $35,500, and that price includes all-wheel drive, heated seats, dual-zone climate control and side-canopy airbags. Option the Mountaineer up with 18" wheels, a DVD system and a navigation system and the sticker price rises to $40,800.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer.
Length: 193.5 in.
Width: 73.5 in.
Height: 72.8 in.
Wheelbase: 113.7 in.
Curb weight: 4562 lb.
Cargo space: 44.9 cu.ft. (seats up); 84.7 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Towing capacity: 7060 lb.
Base price: $35,500
Price as tested: $40,800
Engine: 4.6 liter SOHC V8
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 292 @ 5750
Torque: 300 @ 4750
Fuel capacity: 22.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 14/20
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