2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This traditional rear-drive sedan adds a few standard features and treats option groups as separate models for 2002. The lineup consists of GS, GS Convenience, LS Premium, LS Ultimate, and top-line LSE editions. All have a 4.6-liter V8, 4-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch wheels and 4-wheel disc brakes, and--newly standard for '02--heated door mirrors, ABS, and traction control. Horsepower is 220 except on LSE, which has 235 plus performance tires and uprated suspension with rear load-leveling. The LSE also has front bucket seats with console shift vs. the other models' 3-person bench and column shift. Power-adjustable pedals are standard except on the base GS. Leather upholstery is now a no-charge option for LS models and standard for LSE. Grand Marquis shares its design with the Ford Crown Victoria and offers similar performance and accommodations. Revamped 2003 versions of both are due in summer 2002 with Grand Marquis getting a high-performance Marauder version but no major styling changes.

Competition

This segment has been hard hit by the popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years back there were more than 12 cars in the segment and now there are just seven. Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, and plenty of power.

Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are two Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability, the Ford Crown Victoria with its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis is an option. Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.

News

Ford Motor Company has a lock on American-traditional sedans with this Mercury and the related Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car. Basic engineering dates from distant 1979 and has thus long been paid for, and all three models have sold well enough over the years to require only infrequent major changes. Lately, though, sales have been slipping. Grand Marquis, the most popular of this bunch, was essentially flat in calendar 2000 and was down 8.6 percent from that in 2001.

Like its sisters, the big Mercury starts 2003 this summer. Highlights include subtle appearance changes, front side airbags as a first-time option, and a new frame with revised suspension and steering for claimed improvements to ride and handling. Also new, and exclusive to Mercury, is a high-performance model called Marauder, with 300 hp, handling-oriented suspension, standard 18-inch wheels, and a special "monotone" appearance inside and out. Marauder carries an announced $29,995 base price and offers few options, as a fully equipped model will evidently cost some $32,000. Mercury pegs Marauder sales at around 15,000 a year, similar to what Chevy's big Impala SS sedan did in the mid-1990s.

Further out, the full-size Mercs should join Town Car and Crown Vic in a full redesign for 2005 or '06. Detroit spies have little hard news now, and plans are in flux owing to Ford Motor Company's current cash crisis. However, all three models will probably be built on the next Lincoln LS platform, though with some elements simplified to hold the line on production costs and sticker prices.

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS Ultimate	Class Average
6	5.6

Crown Vic and Grand Marquis deliver smooth, strong V8 acceleration and good passing power. Automatic transmission generally silky, responsive.

Fuel Economy

LS Ultimate	Class Average
4	4.6

OK, all things considered. We've averaged 14.7 mpg on regular gas with recent test cars.

Ride Quality

LS Ultimate	Class Average
7	6.7

Soft and absorbent on all models; LSE has a bit less queasy float over undulations.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS Ultimate	Class Average
5	5.3

Handling not exactly sloppy, but steering effort too light for us, and even LSE is far less agile than trimmer front-drive rivals. Newly standard ABS helps 4-wheel disc brakes give short, controlled stops despite hefty size and weight.

Quietness

LS Ultimate	Class Average
6	6.1

Good isolation from wind, road, and mechanical noise.

Controls

LS Ultimate	Class Average
4	5.3

Climate controls are a reach for some, and LS Ultimate's electronic instruments are less readable than other models' analog gauges. Conservative interior decor is pleasant rather than elegant.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS Ultimate	Class Average
7	6.9

Good old big-car feel, with adult-size room and easy access. Relatively flat bench seat lets occupants slide around some during fast turns, especially with leather upholstery.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS Ultimate	Class Average
6	5.9

Spacious, but too soft for long-distance comfort. Center tunnel intrudes on foot and leg room.

Cargo Room

LS Ultimate	Class Average
6	5.8

Ample luggage space is concentrated in a deep center well, so some bulky items are a tough fit.

Value within Class

LS Ultimate	Class Average
5	6.9

We favor more modern front-wheel-drive rivals like Buick LeSabre and Dodge Intrepid, but traditionalists won't be disappointed with the reasonably priced Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.

Total Score

LS Ultimate	Class Average
56	59.1

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		59
High Score		65

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 01/30/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

GS 4-door sedan	$23,820	$22,415	$705

GS Convenience 4-door sedan	$24,240	$22,801	$705

GS Convenience w/Discount Pkg. B3A 4-door sedan	$24,220	$22,783	$705

LS Premium 4-door sedan	$27,295	$25,612	$705

LS Ultimate 4-door sedan	$28,475	$26,697	$705

LS Ultimate w/Discount Pkg. B3A 4-door sedan	$26,995	$25,336	$705

LSE 4-door sedan	$28,800	$26,996	$705

LSE w/Discount Pkg. B3A 4-door sedan	$27,315	$25,629	$705

Price note: Discount Pkg. B3A available only in Ariz., Calif., Nev., and Hawaii.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 220-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.