This upscale version of the Ford Five Hundred was the first Mercury car in over a decade to offer all-wheel drive. Montego came in Luxury and Premier models with a 203-hp 3.0-liter V6. Both offered front-wheel drive with 6-speed automatic transmission or AWD with a continuously variable automatic transmission. A CVT provides variable drive ratios vs. a conventional automatic's fixed-ratio gears. All Montegos had antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control, but no antiskid system was available. Luxury models came on 17-inch wheels, Premiers on 18s. An optional Safety Package bundled front torso side airbags with curtain side airbags designed to deploy in rollovers as well as in side impacts. The Montego and Five Hundred shared 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 were standard. Leather upholstery was standard on Premier, optional on Luxury. All models came with xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Options included a sunroof and rear obstacle detection. Montego performance and accommodations mirrored those of comparably equipped Five Hundreds.