Ending a one-year hiatus, Mercury returns to the minivan market for 2004 with a nameplate it last used in the 1970s. Monterey shares its design with Ford's Windstar replacement, the '04 Freestar. Both are based on an update of the 1999-2003 Windstar platform. Monterey comes in a single body length that matches in size the extended-length versions of rival minivans. Convenience, Luxury, and Premier trim levels are offered. All have 7-passenger capacity. Two 2nd-row bucket seats are standard; they flip and fold forward. The 3rd-row bench folds into the floor. The 3rd-row bench also flips backward for rear-facing seating under the open liftgate when the vehicle is parked. Power operation for the sliding side doors is available. A power liftgate became standard on the Premier midyear. All Montereys have a 201-hp 4.2-liter V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is not offered, but traction control and an antiskid system are standard on Premier and optional on Luxury. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and front and rear park assist are standard. Front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows are optional on Convenience, standard on the others. Power-adjustable pedals, rear DVD entertainment, heated and cooled front seats, and self-sealing tires are also available. Monterey's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Freestars.