2006 Mercury Milan Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Milan replaces Sable as Mercury's midsize sedan for 2006. It shares its basic architecture with the Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr. All are based on the Mazda 6 from Ford Motor Company's Japanese affiliate, but are slightly larger. Milan offers base and uplevel Premier models, both available with a 160-hp 4-cyl engine or a 221-hp V6. The 4-cyl comes with a 5-speed manual transmission or optional 5-speed automatic. V6 versions use a 6-speed automatic. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are optional for base, standard for Premiers. Traction control is available on V6 versions. Front torso and curtain side airbags are optional, as is a sunroof. Premiers come with leather upholstery, offer a choice of metal or wood interior trim at no extra cost, and are available with heated front seats. Milan's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Fusions.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.

New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Volkswagen Passat.

News

Milan is expected to offer all-wheel drive during the '07 or '08 model years, but is apparently denied the hybrid-power option slated for sister Ford Fusion. Otherwise, this newcomer should see little change for the next couple of seasons.

2006 Mercury Milan Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Acceleration (4-cyl)

Front seat comfort

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Premier V6	Class Average
5	5.6

No opportunity to test with 4-cyl engine. Good passing and merging power with V6, but Milan lacks the around-town response of 6-cyl Honda Accord or Toyota Camry; it too frequently requires heavy-throttle application in routine driving. Smooth, responsive 6-speed automatic makes most of available power, but a manual-shift mode would be useful, especially for hilly terrain.

Fuel Economy

Premier V6	Class Average
5	5.2

Test Premier V6 averaged 20.1 mpg. Both engines use regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Premier V6	Class Average
5	6.1

No opportunity to test base model, which has 16-inch tires. Premier, with its 17s, feels generally composed, absorbent, but sharp bumps can jolt. Milan has firmer ride than Fusion and Zephyr, less float on high-speed bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Premier V6	Class Average
6	6.1

Good balance in turns, with modest body lean. Test car suffered some torque steer--unwanted pulling to the side in low-speed acceleration. Close-quarters maneuverability hurt by wide turning circle, and to some testers, by steering effort that's too high. Good brake-pedal feel, stopping power.

Quietness

Premier V6	Class Average
6	6.2

Generally hushed. V6 produces coarse full-throttle growl, better muted in normal cruising. Some wind rush at highway speed. Tire thrum heard over grooves and coarse pavement.

Controls

Premier V6	Class Average
6	6.8

Gauges easy to see, clearly marked. Audio, climate switchgear takes time to decipher. Likewise look-alike steering-wheel audio/cruise controls. Low-mounted climate panel can force long look from road. Generous use of soft-touch surfaces, choice of real metal or wood trim, are upscale cues at this price level.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Premier V6	Class Average
7	6.6

Ample leg and head space for 6-footers. High seating position contributes to fine outward visibility. All models include tilt/telescope steering wheel, a driver-comfort plus. Firm, supportive seats a bit roomier than class norm.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Premier V6	Class Average
5	5

Adult-adequate head room, good toe space. Knee room tight with front seats more than halfway back. Seat firm, nicely contoured.

Cargo Room

Premier V6	Class Average
5	4.5

Trunk usefully shaped, but too shallow for larger items, and budget-grade felt-type liner looks and feels cheap. Lid supports are nonintrusive struts. Decent in-cabin storage.

Value within Class

Premier V6	Class Average
6	6.1

Milan has no substantive advantage over a comparably equipped Ford Fusion, which is the same car under the skin. Both are quite capable midsize sedans that merit consideration. We do believe Milan's $1100-$1200 price premium over its Ford cousin is justified by the Mercury's longer list of standard equipment and richer-looking interior appointments.

Total Score

Premier V6	Class Average
56	58.2

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		44
Average Score		58
High Score		70

2006 Mercury Milan Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/16/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-cylinder 4-door sedan	$18,345	$16,945	$650

Base V6 4-door sedan	$21,345	$19,645	$650

Premiere 4-cylinder 4-door sedan	$20,240	$18,651	$650

Premiere V6 4-door sedan	$22,845	$20,995	$650

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

Base

Powertrain

2.3-liter 4-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission (4-cylinder), 6-speed automatic transmission (V6).

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, aluminum interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, analog clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 205/60R16 tires, wheel covers (4-cylinder), alloy wheels (V6).

Premiere adds to Base:

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

225/50VR17 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Comfort and Convenience Pkg.
Premiere	$595	$518
Automatic air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, automatic headlights, fog lights.

Safety and Security Pkg.
Base, Premiere	$595	$518
Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, alarm.

Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission
4-cylinder	$825	$718


Traction control
V6	$95	$83
Base requires antilock brakes.

Safety
Antilock brakes
Base	$595	$518


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base, Premiere	$795	$692


Heated front seats
Premiere	$295	$257


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Base	$115	$100


Premium AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Base	$535	$465
Premiere	$420	$366
Includes upgraded sound system.

Wood interior trim
Premiere	$0	$0


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Alloy wheels
Base 4-cylinder	$395	$344

2006 Mercury Milan Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mercury Milan 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.4

Overall Length, in.	191.4

Overall Width, in.	72.2

Overall Height, in.	57.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3117

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	15.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.8

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.0

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

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.3 /139	3.0 /182

Horsepower @ rpm.	160 @ 6500	221 @ 6250

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	150 @ 4000	205 @ 4800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	23/31	--/--

5-speed automatic	24/32	--/--

6-speed automatic	--/--	21/29

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 Milan 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

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/--	8/100,000 on Mariner hybrid components.

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: Mexico

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Mercury Milan
Trim Level: Premiere
Arrival Date: 11/07/2005
Engine: dohc V6
Bodystyle: 4-door sedan
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $22,845
Price as Tested: $25,495
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 3965
Mileage at End of Test: 4577
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 30.31 gals.

Major Options: Heated Front Seats, Audiophile Sound System, Antilock Brakes, Traction Assist, Safety & Security Package (side curtain airbags, anti-theft perimeter alarm), Comfort Package (auto climate control, heater power mirrors w/puddle lamps, auto rear-view mirror, compass, auto headlamps, leather steering wheel, fog lamps)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 20.17 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Mark Bilek Mercury has a real winner in Milan. Eye catching styling, top-notch materials, and just-right size make this a must see in the midsize car segment. Sadly, I'm not so impressed with the ride of the 17-inch tires that are standard in the Premiere. I'd recommend the smartly-priced Premiere but try to get the dealer to swap out the 17s for the 16s of the base model.

Tom Appel The likable Milan has little of substance to recommend it over Ford's Fusion. That said, its handsome exterior is more sophisticated than the Ford's, and Mercury's now-signature 2-tone interior treatment has a classy feel. I suspect we'll see Fusions everywhere in a few months, making Mercury's newest a classy, but very safe, alternative.

< 2006 Mercury Milan Photos

Also in the 2006 Mercury Milan Review:

Mercury Milan

Mercury Milan Road Test

Mercury Milan Prices & Equipment

Mercury Milan Specs & Safety

Mercury Milan Photos

Mercury Milan Full Review

All Mercury Milans

All Mercurys

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