2004 Mercury Mountaineer: Road Test
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2004 Mercury Mountaineer ▼
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- MSRP: $29,350 -$38,230
- Invoice: $26,672 -$34,575
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Our road test for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer help you decide if a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Convenience V6 AWD | Luxury V8 AWD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4.8 |
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 | 3.8 |
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 | 4.5 |
Body-on-frame chassis feels very solid. Independent rear suspension provides a reasonably soft ride. Mountaineer rides much like Honda Pilot: slightly tauter than Explorer, but not as smooth as Lexus RX 330.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Convenience V6 AWD | Luxury V8 AWD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.7 |
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 | 4.4 |
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 | 6.2 |
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 | 6.4 |
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 | 5.6 |
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 | 5.1 |
Mountaineer offers more-expressive styling and more standard features than its Ford Explorer 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 rear obstacle detection.
Total Score
| Convenience V6 AWD | Luxury V8 AWD | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | 57 | 52.3 |
Total Score: 57
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
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