1993-1998 Mercury Villager: Road Test

Although the 3.0-liter Nissan engine is adequate, it can't quite match the muscle provided by the larger V6s in the front-drive minivans from Ford, GM, and Chrysler. While engine and road noise are within a reasonable range, when the Villager reaches highway speeds the wind noise can become quite pronounced. A wide turning circle makes the Villager harder to maneuver in tight spots than most cars, but in most other situations the Villager feels remarkably carlike. When compared with other minivans, body lean is quite modest. The suspension is firm enough to minimize bouncing on wavy roads, and it absorbs most bumps without breaking a sweat. Front head room and leg room are both quite good, but only adequate for the middle- and rear-seat passengers. With all seats in their normal positions, the rear cargo area is quite small. Trying to improve the Villager's hauling capacity requires removing the truly cumbersome center seats. Stereo and climate controls are a stretch for the driver, and too small to operate easily.

Value for the Money
Compared with other minivans, the Villager has less interior room. It also lacks many of the standard features found on its rivals. Nevertheless it's a good choice if you need more than a midsize station wagon but don't require the interior space provided in one of the larger minivans.