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2008 Mercury Mountaineer Review
Traditional SUV hauls seven, pulls trailers.
2008 Mountaineer Review Summary & Specifications
The Mercury Mountaineer offers a comfortable ride and lots of interior space for passengers and cargo. Handling isn't as precise as in the new generation of crossover SUVs, but the Mountaineer feels more sure-footed than the GMC Envoy. The accommodations are nice overall. If you're looking for a daily commuter for the family, a crossover may be a better choice. But if you need towing capacity, the Mountaineer is a worthy competitor.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Sacramento, California, with Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago, and Mitch McCullough in Los Angeles.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Mercury Mountaineer 2WD V6 ($26,050); AWD V6 ($28,345); Premier 2WD V6 ($28,150); Premier AWD V6 ($30,445); Premier 2WD V8 (29,445); Premier AWD V8 ($31,740) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.6-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 210-hp 4.0-liter V6; 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual-stage frontal airbags; front-seat side-impact airbags; front- and second-row side curtain airbags with roll-over sensor; ABS with brake assist; traction control; electronic stability control system with roll-over mitigation; tire-pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rear obstacle detection |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-521-4140 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mercuryvehicles.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 26050 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercury Mountaineer Premier AWD V8 ($31,740) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather-wrapped, tilt steering wheel with audio and climate controls; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack; cruise control; power windows, heated outside power mirrors and keyless remote central locking; remote keyless entry; 10-way power driver seat; six-way power front passenger seat; 60/40 split second-row seats; fold-flat third-row seats; keyless entry keypad; auto-dimming rear-view mirror; fog lamps; auto on/off headlights; roof rails; 235/65R18 all-season tires on chromed aluminum wheels |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Amenities package with universal garage door opener, rear obstacle detection, and power running boards ($1295); power adjustable pedals with memory ($195); Navigation and Moon and Tune Elite Package ($2595) includes navigation system, power moonroof, Audiophile AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer and Sirius satellite radio; rear seat entertainment system ($1195); Class III/IV trailer tow package ($275); Heated Package ($695) includes heated front seats, heated windshield and driver seat memory |
| Destination Charge | 735 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 37990 |
| Layout | all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 292 @ 5750 |
| Torque | 300 @ 4750 |
| Fuel Economy | 14/20 |
| Wheelbase | 113.7 |
| Length/Width/Height | 193.5/73.5/72.8 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 36.8 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.8/55.4/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.7/55.5/36.9 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.4/45.3/34.9 |
| Trunk Volume | 83.7 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 6970 |
| Front Suspension | independent, short-and-long arm, coil spring-over-shock, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, trailing link, short-and-long arm, coil spring-over-shock, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 8.7 |
| Curb Weight | 4785 |
| Stock Tires | P235/65R18 all-season |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc with ABS and brake assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.5 |
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