2008 Mercury Sable: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2008 Mercury Sable returns as a more-powerful, restyled version of Mercury's Montego large sedan. The long-running midsize Sable was dropped after 2006. The '08 shares a basic design with a similarly updated Ford Taurus (formerly Five Hundred). It offers Base and uplevel Premier models with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All use a new 260-hp 3.5-liter V6, replacing a 203-hp 3.0 V6. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard; Montego's continuously variable transmission (CVT) is dropped. Other revisions involve front-end appearance, suspension tuning, and interior trim. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A navigation system and DVD entertainment are optional too. Also available is Ford's Sync voice-activated interface for cell phones and MP3 players.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large inside and out, they offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands. Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, and Toyota Avalon. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. New for 2008 is the Pontiac G8. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable replace the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, and both models have more power and have been restyled for 2008.