2005 Mercury Mountaineer Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mercury's version of the Ford Explorer stands pat for 2005, due to receive updates similar to the 2006 Explorer (see separate report) later in the calendar year. Mountaineer comes in Convenience, Luxury, and Premier trim. All have three rows of seats for 7-passenger capacity. The 3rd row can be deleted for credit, and 2nd-row bucket seats are now optional on Luxury and Premier. All offer a V6 or V8 engine and rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. A 5-speed automatic transmission and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Newly standard on all Mountaineers is Ford's AdvanceTrac antiskid system with Roll Stability Control. Roll Stability Control is designed to detect an impending tip and activate the antiskid system to reduce the chances of a rollover. Torso side airbags are not offered, but head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover the 1st and 2nd seating rows are standard on Premier, optional on other models. Power-adjustable pedals are optional. A rear-obstacle-warning system is standard on Premier and optional on other Mountaineers. A rear DVD entertainment system is optional on Luxury and Premier. A tire-pressure monitor is standard on all models.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, and Toyota 4Runner.

News

Like the related Ford Explorer, Mountaineer gets freshened styling and more V8 power for 2006. The latter comes courtesy of the same 300-hp engine available in Ford's sporty Mustang and brings with it a new 6-speed automatic transmission, a first for these SUVs. The base V6 and its 5-speed automatic continue, likely without change. Cosmetic updates, recently previewed by a thinly disguised auto-show "concept", involve slightly sharper body lines and larger grille with more prominent vertical bars. More details should be breaking soon, so keep checking back with us.

2005 Mercury Mountaineer Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		55
High Score		67

2005 Mercury Mountaineer Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/09/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD Convenience V6 4-door wagon	$30,035	$27,061	$645

2WD Convenience V8 4-door wagon	$31,355	$28,223	$645

AWD Convenience V6 4-door wagon	$32,565	$29,287	$645

AWD Convenience V8 4-door wagon	$33,405	$30,026	$645

2WD Luxury V6 4-door wagon	$33,995	$30,546	$645

2WD Luxury V8 4-door wagon	$34,835	$31,285	$645

AWD Luxury V6 4-door wagon	$36,045	$32,349	$645

AWD Luxury V8 4-door wagon	$36,885	$33,089	$645

2WD Premier V6 4-door wagon	$36,090	$32,390	$645

2WD Premier V8 4-door wagon	$36,930	$33,129	$645

AWD Premier V6 4-door wagon	$38,140	$34,193	$645

AWD Premier V8 4-door wagon	$38,980	$34,932	$645

Price note: Luxury, Premier require Discount Pkg.

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

Convenience

Powertrain

4.0-liter V6 engine or 4.6-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, roll stability control, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front air conditioning, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat w/manual lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row split bench seat, 3rd-row stowable bench seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, compass, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, cargo-management system, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, rear liftgate, roof rails, fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Front tow hooks, trailer hitch, full-size spare tire, 235/70R16 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Luxury adds to Convenience:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, 6-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate controls, steering-wheel radio and climate controls, heated power mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

245/65R17 all-terrain tires, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Premier adds to Luxury:

Safety

Front and 2nd-row curtain side airbags, rear-obstacle-detection system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power sunroof, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer, universal garage-door opener.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
50L/50P Discount Pkg.
Luxury (credit)	$-705	$-620
Premiere (credit)	$-1,405	$-1,236
Standard equipment.

Designer Series Pkg.
Convenience	$995	$846
Leather/suede upholstery, chrome alloy wheels.

Security Group
Convenience, Luxury	$795	$676
Front and 2nd-row curtain side airbags, rear-obstacle-detection system.

Trailer Towing Pkg.
Convenience, Luxury, Premier	$150	$128
Special axle ratio, Class III/IV trailer hitch, 7/4-pin trailer connector.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
Luxury, Premier	$1,295	$1,101
Luxury requires power sunroof and rear air conditioning or Security Group.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Luxury	$510	$433


Rear air conditioning
Convenience, Luxury, Premier	$650	$553
Includes rear controls, rear heater. Rear controls deleted w/power sunroof or rear-seat entertainment system.

Power sunroof
Convenience, Luxury	$850	$723


Universal garage-door opener
Luxury	$150	$128


Power-adjustable pedals
Convenience	$120	$102
Luxury, Premier	$225	$192
Luxury, Premier include memory.

Leather upholstery
Convenience	$695	$591


2nd-row bucket seats
Luxury, Premier	$490	$417
Includes center console.

3rd-row seat delete
(credit)	$-375	$-319
Includes cargo cover. NA w/rear air conditioning, 2nd-row bucket seats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
Convenience	$450	$383


Roof rack
Convenience, Luxury, Premier	$60	$51


Special paint
Premier	$275	$234

2005 Mercury Mountaineer Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mercury Mountaineer 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	113.8

Overall Length, in.	180.9

Overall Width, in.	72.3

Overall Height, in.	71.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	4566

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	81.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	1418

Fuel Capacity, gals.	22.5

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	39.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V6	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.0 /245	4.6 /281

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 5100	239 @ 4000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	254 @ 3700	282 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	14/19	14/18

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 Mountaineer 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	3

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: all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Photos

Also in the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Review:

Mercury Mountaineer

Mercury Mountaineer Road Test

Mercury Mountaineer Prices & Equipment

Mercury Mountaineer Specs & Safety

Mercury Mountaineer Photos

Mercury Mountaineer Full Review

All Mercury Mountaineers

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