The Mountaineer has the same qualities that have made the Ford Explorer the most popular SUV on the market. The cockpit is roomy. Large footwells up front and lots of legroom in the rear contribute to the spaciousness.Furthermore, a particularly generous pass-through between the back seat and the B-pillar makes entry to and exit from the back seat easier than some other 4-door sport-utilities. The Mountaineer felt like a big rig before the advent of the Lincoln Navigator.
The dashboard is straightforward with highly legible gauges. In addition to the speedometer, tachometer, fuel and engine temperature needles, there's a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. The rotary dial to control the V6 model's four-wheel-drive system is simple and, like the other controls, it exudes a feel of quality. The column shifter for the automatic transmission has an overdrive lockout button which can be used to keep the transmission from "hunting" in hilly areas or when towing.