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2005 Mercury Montego Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2005 Mercury Montego Review:
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2.
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4.
2005 Mercury Montego Review
This upscale version of the new Ford Five Hundred is the first Mercury car in over a decade offering all-wheel drive. Montego comes in Luxury and Premier models with a 203-hp 3.0-liter V6. Both offer front-wheel drive with 6-speed automatic transmission or AWD with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT provides variable drive ratios vs. the conventional automatic's fixed-ratio gears. Both transmissions are new to Ford Motor Company. All Montegos have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control, but no antiskid system is available. Luxury models come on 17-inch wheels, Premiers on 18s. An optional Safety Package bundles front torso side airbags with head-protecting curtain side airbags designed to deploy in rollovers as well as in side impacts. The Montego and Five Hundred share a platform originated by Ford-owned Volvo, plus a five-passenger design with seats mounted about 4 inches higher than in other cars. A power driver seat, fold-flat front-passenger seat, and split folding rear seatbacks are standard. Leather upholstery is standard on Premier, optional on Luxury. All models come with xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Options include sunroof and rear obstacle detection. Montego performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Five Hundreds.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large, inside and out, they also include the only 6-passenger cars. Large Cars offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.
News
Montego and Five Hundred have been widely criticized for tepid performance, and Ford privately agrees. The company is known to be working on a more potent 3.5-liter V6 for these cars, but that won't be ready until model-year 2008. We'd guess Montego will also get some kind of cosmetic freshening at that point.
2005 Mercury Montego Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Available all-wheel drive | Automatic-transmission performance |
| Passenger and cargo room | |
| Control layout | |
| Visibility | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Adequate and on par with most V6 rivals, despite one of smallest engines in class. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, test front-drive Montego did 7.9. CVT's best trait is good highway-passing response, though some drivers may need time to adjust to behavior in rapid acceleration, where engine speed can race ahead of road speed until CVT reaches "right" ratio. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic hunts between gears, particularly in hilly terrain.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Adequate and on par with most V6 rivals, despite one of smallest engines in class. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, test front-drive Montego did 7.9. CVT's best trait is good highway-passing response, though some drivers may need time to adjust to behavior in rapid acceleration, where engine speed can race ahead of road speed until CVT reaches "right" ratio. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic hunts between gears, particularly in hilly terrain.
Fuel Economy
Test AWD Montegos averaged 19.2-22.9 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Front-drive Montego with 6-speed automatic averaged 15.9 mpg in test that included gas-eating acceleration runs. Mercury recommends regular-grade fuel.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Test AWD Montegos averaged 19.2-22.9 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Front-drive Montego with 6-speed automatic averaged 15.9 mpg in test that included gas-eating acceleration runs. Mercury recommends regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Little difference in ride quality between 17- and 18-inch tires, or between front-drive and AWD.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
Generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Little difference in ride quality between 17- and 18-inch tires, or between front-drive and AWD.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Good balance in turns, with only moderate lean, despite relatively tall body. Steering feel light at low speeds for easy parking, satisfyingly linear at higher speeds. Test AWD version furnished outstanding grip on wet or snowy surfaces. Good brake-pedal feel and stopping power.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Good balance in turns, with only moderate lean, despite relatively tall body. Steering feel light at low speeds for easy parking, satisfyingly linear at higher speeds. Test AWD version furnished outstanding grip on wet or snowy surfaces. Good brake-pedal feel and stopping power.
Quietness
Fine suppression of wind, road noise. AWD test versions' powertrain whined audibly in even modest acceleration and 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent downshifts means engine roars more often than with CVT.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.7 |
Fine suppression of wind, road noise. AWD test versions' powertrain whined audibly in even modest acceleration and 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent downshifts means engine roars more often than with CVT.
Controls
Gauges clearly marked, unobstructed, though some testers say electronic display for audio, climate, vehicle-information settings not easy to read. Audio, climate systems controlled by multitude of buttons; some mounted too low, requiring long look from road to adjust. Takes practice to sort out steering wheel's array of auxiliary buttons for primary audio functions, plus cruise control. Little difference in interior materials quality between Montego, Five Hundred. The most frequently touched surfaces are padded, but ambiance is simple rather than elegant. Some testers complain that stalks for windshield wipers, turn signals are too far from steering wheel.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6 |
Gauges clearly marked, unobstructed, though some testers say electronic display for audio, climate, vehicle-information settings not easy to read. Audio, climate systems controlled by multitude of buttons; some mounted too low, requiring long look from road to adjust. Takes practice to sort out steering wheel's array of auxiliary buttons for primary audio functions, plus cruise control. Little difference in interior materials quality between Montego, Five Hundred. The most frequently touched surfaces are padded, but ambiance is simple rather than elegant. Some testers complain that stalks for windshield wipers, turn signals are too far from steering wheel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Commanding driving position aided by standard height-adjustable seat, low cowl, tall windows. Head room ample, leg room fine, though tallest drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high mounting eases entry/exit. Visibility unusually good to rear corners.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 7.6 |
Commanding driving position aided by standard height-adjustable seat, low cowl, tall windows. Head room ample, leg room fine, though tallest drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high mounting eases entry/exit. Visibility unusually good to rear corners.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Sofa-high seating with limousinelike leg room, generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder-to-shoulder. Easy ingress/egress.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 6.5 |
Sofa-high seating with limousinelike leg room, generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder-to-shoulder. Easy ingress/egress.
Cargo Room
Mercury claims trunk holds eight full-size golf bags. Strut-type trunklid hinges don't rob space or threaten cargo. Rear seats fold, but pass-through restricted at bottom by angled side supports. Standard fold-flat front-passenger seat is handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
Mercury claims trunk holds eight full-size golf bags. Strut-type trunklid hinges don't rob space or threaten cargo. Rear seats fold, but pass-through restricted at bottom by angled side supports. Standard fold-flat front-passenger seat is handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
Value within Class
Montego and its Ford Five Hundred sibling earn our Recommended label for their generous passenger and cargo space, take-charge driving position, and great visibility. They're on par with most rivals for acceleration and road manners, and available all-wheel drive is a class plus. Ford and Mercury trust the new transmissions will be accepted by consumers despite their quirks, and will prove to be reliable.
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 6.6 |
Montego and its Ford Five Hundred sibling earn our Recommended label for their generous passenger and cargo space, take-charge driving position, and great visibility. They're on par with most rivals for acceleration and road manners, and available all-wheel drive is a class plus. Ford and Mercury trust the new transmissions will be accepted by consumers despite their quirks, and will prove to be reliable.
Total Score
| Premier | AWD Premier | Class Average |
| 69 | 69 | 61.8 |
Scores for all Large Cars
| Low Score | 54 | |
| Average Score | 61 | |
| High Score | 71 |
2005 Mercury Montego Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/06/2005
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| Luxury 4-door sedan | $24,365 | $22,424 | $675 |
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| AWD Luxury 4-door sedan | $26,165 | $24,044 | $675 |
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| Premier 4-door sedan | $26,790 | $24,606 | $675 |
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| AWD Premier 4-door sedan | $28,590 | $26,226 | $675 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Luxury
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, fold-flat passenger seat, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD player, analog clock, tachometer, trip computer, compass, intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, xenon headlights, fog lights, 215/60R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Premier adds to Luxury:
Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, power-adjustable pedals, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals), AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, universal garage-door opener, outside-temperature indicator.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/55R18 tires, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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Comfort Pkg.
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Luxury
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$795
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$708
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8-way power driver seat w/power recline, 2-way power passenger seat, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.
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Safety Pkg.
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Luxury, Premier
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$595
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$530
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Front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover sensor.
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Safety |
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Rear-obstacle-detection system
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Luxury
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$250
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$223
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Power sunroof
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Luxury, Premier
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$895
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$797
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Leather upholstery
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Luxury
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$895
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$797
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2005 Mercury Montego Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Mercury Montego 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 112.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 200.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 74.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 60.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3650 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 21.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.3 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.3 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.0 /182 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 203 @ 5750 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 207 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 6-speed automatic | 21/29 |
| CVT automatic | 19/26 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Mercury Montego 4-door sedan |
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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Tester's Comments
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Major Options: Safety Pkg. (Side Air Curtain with Rollover Sensors, Driver andPassenger Side Airbags), Reverse Sensing System Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 22.25 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Mark Bilek Montego and its cousin the Five Hundred are tops in the large-car class for delivering on the full-size American-car promise. Lots of room, smooth ride, and clear convenient controls. Throw in a reasonable price, and this is a clear Best Buy in my book. |
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Also in the 2005 Mercury Montego Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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