2002 Mercury Mountaineer: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Mountaineer shares its design with the Ford Explorer, and both are redesigned for 2002. They have a wider stance, longer wheelbase, and gain independent rear suspension, but Mountaineer gets more-expressive styling inside and out. It also has a standard 3rd-row seat for 7-passenger capacity. A V6 is standard. The optional V8 is a new overhead-cam design in place of an overhead-valve V8. Both come only with a 5-speed automatic transmission; V8 Mountaineers previously used a 4-speed automatic. Mountaineer is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing (Explorer's 4WD has low-range gearing). Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and tilt/telescoping steering wheel are among the standard equipment. Options include a rear-obstacle-warning system, power-adjustable pedals, and a driver-seat memory. Torso side airbags are not offered, but the optional curtain side airbags are designed to provide head protection in a side collision and at midyear gained sensors intended to deploy them in a rollover. Due as a 2003 model is the Lincoln Aviator, a more-powerful, luxury-oriented version of the Mountaineer.

COMPETITION

This is by far the hottest market segment right now. Crowded with more than 20 vehicles, midsize SUVs vary in size and type but nearly all seat five adults and offer V6 or V8 engines. Our Best Buys are the Acura MDX and Toyota Highlander. Both offer competence, convenience, and attractive pricing and design. They lack serious off-road 4WD systems, however.

Our Recommended choices feature more-traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the top-selling Ford Explorer; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined GMC Envoy. If you don't venture off-road too far take a look at the car-based Lexus RX 300 as well.