2009 Mercury Sable: Road Test
2009 Mercury Sable ▼
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- MSRP: $25,120 - $31,230
- Invoice: $23,083 - $28,582
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Related to Mercury Montego/Sable
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Our road test for the 2009 Mercury Sable includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Mercury Sable from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Mercury Sable, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Mercury Sable help you decide if a 2009 Mercury Sable is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6.6 |
Acceleration from a standing start and at speed is adequately brisk. An AWD model did 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds in our testing. The automatic transmission works smoothly, but shifts too much on light throttle at medium speeds and is reluctant to downshift for highway passing sprints. Some of our testers bemoan the lack of a manual shift gate.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.4 |
In Consumer Guide testing, an AWD model averaged 20.3 mpg with slightly more highway driving than city work. Sable uses regular-grade gas.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
Comfortably firm; Sable is composed over most bumps. Prolonged stretches of bad pavement induced a bit of front-end judder in one model tested. Base Sables come with 17-inch tires, Premiers with 18s, but ride comfort is virtually identical.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Feels stable and well planted in fast, wide turns--especially with AWD--but this car's hefty size and weight allow moderate body lean in tight corners. Available AWD is a safety plus for bad weather. Ditto the antiskid system, and Ford deserves kudos for finally making it standard, rather than optional. Braking is good for the class but unexceptional by absolute standards.
QUIETNESS
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6.8 |
Refined for a mainstream family car, with modest wind rush at highway speeds, audible tire thrum only on the coarsest pavement. The V6 emits a classy-sounding growl at full throttle, but is fairly hushed otherwise.
CONTROLS
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 6.4 |
Sable's main problem is too many buttons on the audio and climate panels that mount too low for easiest use. The optional navigation system suffers from a dashboard screen and programming that's not always self-evident. The touch-screen control can also have too many virtual buttons on it, making it easy to "press" the wrong one while programming radio or navigation functions.
DETAILS
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6.4 |
Sable's cabin makes good use of textured, soft-touch materials. They don't look luxurious but are price appropriate.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 7.9 |
Higher seating than in most cars aids comfort and ease of entry and exit. It also combines with a low dashtop and large windows for a take-charge driving feel and fine outward vision. The seats are comfortably supportive, afford plentiful headroom and legroom, but lanky drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Available power-adjustable pedals are a nice touch for shorter drivers.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 7 |
Sable's bench seat is nothing special for shape or padding, and it slightly squeezes three adults. That said, headroom is generous, and legroom is outstanding, even for six-footers. Entry and exit are easy.
CARGO ROOM
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.4 |
Big, flat-floor trunk packs a lot of gear, helped by a boxy shape, large opening, and compact strut-type trunklid hinges. Two useful standards: a 60/40 folding rear seat--though its pass-through narrows at the bottom--and a fold-flat front-passenger seat that allows carrying nine-foot-long objects with trunklid closed. Cabin storage is somewhat limited to a smallish glovebox, center console, and dashtop bin.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 6.9 |
Sable offers good dynamic performance and a roomy cabin. Add in the jumbo-sized trunk and you have a Recommended family sedan that deserves a place on your shopping list.
Total Score
| Base | AWD Premier w/navigation | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 68 | 68.9 |
Total Score: 69
Scores for all Large Cars
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