2003 Mercury Mountaineer Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer help you decide if a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer is right for you.

2003 Mercury Mountaineer Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
4	5	4.9

Overhead-cam V8 feels smooth but not much more powerful than V6. Both provide modest acceleration from a stop, but build speed quickly. AWD system's 200-lb weight penalty hurts acceleration somewhat.

Fuel Economy

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
4	3	3.7

Should mirror test Explorers. Extended-use 4WD V8 XLT Explorer averaged 15.1 mpg in mostly highway driving during its 8885-mi. test. A similar example averaged 14.1 with more city driving. Test 4WD V6 Explorer averaged 17.1 mpg. Ford/Mercury recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
4	4	4.4

Body-on-frame chassis feels very solid. Independent rear suspension provides a reasonably soft ride. Mountaineer rides much like Acura MDX: slightly tauter than Explorer, but not as smooth as Lexus RX 300.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
4	4	3.5

Typical truck-type midsize SUV: noticeable body lean in turns and lazy reaction to steering inputs compared to a car. Mountaineer steering, handling are sharper than Explorer's thanks to different shock absorbers and tires.

Quietness

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
4	5	4.1

Wind and road noise unobjectionable and low for an SUV. Engines intrude only under hard throttle, though V8 quieter than V6.

Controls

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
8	8	6.1

Gauges clear, radio/climate controls mounted high within fairly easy reach. Materials of generally good quality. Mountaineer has dressier trim than Explorer.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
7	8	6.3

Plenty of room, comfortable seats. Available memory seat, tilt wheel, and adjustable pedals custom-tailor driving position to suit many physiques. Oddly, running boards hinder egress.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
7	7	5.4

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.

Cargo Room

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
8	8	7.8

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

Convenience V6 AWD	Luxury V8 AWD	Class Average
6	5	5

Although it isn't available with Explorer's desirable antiskid system, Mountaineer does offer more-expressive styling and more standard features than its Ford cousin, while slotting in below Lincoln's new Aviator in price and power. Basically, it fills a niche for domestic-SUV buyers who want to combine Mercury's take on individualistic design with such useful features as 7-passenger seating, adjustable pedals, curtain airbags, and reverse sensing.

Total Score