Mercury
2010 Mercury Mountaineer Premiere V-8
What it Is: A mid-sized, V-8 powered, three-row four-wheel drive sport utility.
Who it's For: Families who need no more than two LATCH points and plenty of cargo room behind the second row.
What's Hot: Available power folding third row seat.
What's Not: Poor fuel economy, expensive.
Family Friendly Options: Bluetooth, SYNC, navigation, back-up camera.
How It Got Its Score: The Mercury Mountaineer V-8 comes standard with all-wheel drive, and actually gets slightly better fuel economy than the V-6. That's offset by the steep price and reduced cargo space.
The V-8 engine in the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is something of a contradiction. Usually, a larger, higher horsepower engine means lower fuel economy, but with the Mountaineer -- like the Ford Explorer V-8 -- fuel economy actually improves slightly. It also boasts a higher towing capacity of 6,995 lbs. However, fuel economy and towing both lag the similarly sized Kia Borrego V-8. We're not being hard on the Mountaineer, in fact, the V-8 is probably the better choice than the V-6, as long as you're willing to pay for the more luxurious Premiere model, which is the only model in which it's available. Other niceties include an optional power folding third row, Ford's SYNC phone and music device integration and running boards that motor down from under the vehicle that make entry and exit easier, but stay out of the way when they're not in use. As a four-wheel drive truck-based SUV, the Mountaineer offers off-road chops that most crossover-based competitors can't match. Note that the Ford Explorer, which is mechanically identical to the Mercury Mountaineer, is due to be redesigned as a crossover soon. No word yet on whether there will be a new Mountaineer to go with it, if the current truck will continue, or if the model will be dropped from Mercury's lineup.
Specifications
Price |
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| MSRP |
$38,490 |
| Destination |
$815 |
| |
| |
| |
Mechanical
Engine Size |
4.6 liters |
|
Engine Type |
V-8 |
|
Horsepower |
292 hp |
|
Torque |
315 lb.-ft. |
|
Fuel |
Regular Unleaded |
|
Drivetrain |
Four Wheel Drive w/Low Range |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Automatic |
Fuel Economy
EPA City |
14 mpg |
|
EPA Highway |
19 mpg |
|
EPA Combined |
16 mpg |
Utility
Vehicle Type |
Midsize SUV |
|
Family Friendliness |
7.5 |
|
Doors |
Five |
|
Seat Rows |
Three |
|
Passengers |
Seven |
|
LATCH Positions |
Two |
|
Cargo Space |
13.6 cu. ft. |
|
Cargo Space (3rd Row Folded) |
43.9 cu. ft. |
|
Max Cargo Space |
83.7 cu. ft. |
Safety
NHTSA Driver Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Passenger Front |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Driver Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rear Passenger Side |
5 Stars |
|
NHTSA Rollover |
3 Stars |
|
IIHS Front |
Good |
|
IIHS Side |
Acceptable |
|
IIHS Rear |
Acceptable |
|
Stability Control |
Standard |
|
Traction Control |
Standard |
|
Brake Assist |
Not Available |
|
Side Airbags |
Thorax and Curtain |
|
Collision Avoidance |
Not Available |
|
Active Cruise Control |
Not Available |
|
Photos
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