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.