2005 Mercury Monterey: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Mercury's minivan shares its design with Ford's Freestar. 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; a 2nd-row bench is a no-cost option. 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 is standard on Premier, optional on luxury. 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 available on Luxury and Premier. 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 standard on all but Convenience, where they are unavailable. Power-adjustable pedals, rear DVD entertainment, and heated/cooled front seats are also available. Monterey's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Freestars.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Long the choice as the family hauler, Minivans are easily the smartest use of space for passengers and cargo. These vehicles offer a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Honda Odyssey. Recommended picks are the Mazda MPV and Toyota Sienna.