2005 Mercury Mountaineer: Road Test
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2005 Mercury Mountaineer ▼
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- MSRP: $30,035 -$38,980
- Invoice: $27,061 -$34,932
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Our road test for the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer help you decide if a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4.9 |
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
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3.9 |
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
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5.1 |
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
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.8 |
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. AdvanceTrac antiskid system and Roll Stability Control laudable features designed to help prevent sideways skids and rollovers.
QUIETNESS
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4.8 |
Wind and road noise unobjectionable and low for an SUV. Engines intrude only under hard throttle, though V8 quieter than V6.
CONTROLS
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6.3 |
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)
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 8 | 6.7 |
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)
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6.2 |
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
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | 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
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 5.6 |
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, rear obstacle detection and standard antiskid system.
Total Score
| AWD Convenience V6 | AWD Luxury V8 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 56 | 55.1 |
Total Score: 56
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
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