2002 Mercury Mountaineer: Road Test
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2002 Mercury Mountaineer ▼
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- MSRP: $28,950 -$30,950
- Invoice: $26,386 -$28,166
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Our road test for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer help you decide if a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4.7 |
Both the V6 and V8 furnish modest acceleration from a stop and build speed quickly, though there's no significant difference in throttle response between the two in the 40-55-mph range. Expect Mountaineer to mirror the 8.4-sec 0-60-mph time of our test V8 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4WD. Mercury says V6 Mountaineers do 0-60 in 10.2 sec. Trailer-towing capacity tops out at 5700 lb on V6 models, 7300 lb on V8s.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
Mountaineer figures should be similar to results of our Explorer tests: 14.1 mpg in mixed city/highway use and 15.1 in mostly highway driving for the V8. Test 4WD V6 model averaged 17.1 mpg. Mercury recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Body-on-frame design retained, but new chassis feels very solid. Independent rear suspension provides softer ride than before. Mountaineer's suspension settings and tires differ from Explorer's in an effort to impart sharper responses on the road; they do, but at the expense of some absorbency over sharp bumps.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
Mountaineer aims for a sportier feel than Explorer and succeeds, with better reaction to steering inputs and slightly less body lean in sharp changes of direction. Still, this truck-type SUV feels less maneuverable than such car-based rivals as the Acura MDX or Lexus RX300. And we're disappointed that, unlike Explorer, Mountaineer doesn't get Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid system, which is designed to prevent skids by automatically braking each wheel selectively.
QUIETNESS
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4 |
Wind and road noise unobjectionable and low for an SUV. Engines intrude only under full throttle, though V8 quieter than V6.
CONTROLS
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 6 |
Clear instrumentation and well-lit, accessible controls. Air conditioning can be operated in all air distribution modes. Dashboard layout shared with Explorer, but Mountaineer's faux brushed-aluminum trim is dressier than the Ford's color-coordinated plastic.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 8 | 6.2 |
Roomy, with comfortable seats. Standard tilt/telescope wheel, memory seat, and adjustable pedals custom tailor the driving position. To some testers, the available running boards hinder egress because they're too narrow to provide a solid step, but wide enough to require stretching over when getting out.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 5.1 |
Second row has lots of head room, more leg clearance than most in class, and three can squeeze across. Third row is fit for two children; 2nd-row seats tilt forward to ease access, but it's still not simple.
CARGO ROOM
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 7.7 |
Large hatch glass opens separately and dips low into tailgate for easier loading. Cargo room tight behind 3rd-row seat, which folds into floor (though not quite flat) for more space.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 4.5 |
Mountaineer shares with Explorer a host of assets, including available V8 power, 7-passenger seating, adjustable pedals, curtain airbags, and a reverse-sensing system. It falls short in not offering the antiskid system, and overall, we don't believe the Mercury's slight edge in handling is enough to justify its price premium against comparable Explorers.
Total Score
| Base AWD, V6 | Base AWD w/Lux. Grp., V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | 57 | 49.5 |
Total Score: 57
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