2009 Mercury Mountaineer
On sale since 1997 and last re-engineered for 2006, the Mercury Mountaineer is a rebadged Ford Explorer with an upscale interior and features package. Mechanically, the Mercury and the Ford are identical. Now in its third generation, the Mountaineer is available in three different trim levels: V-6, Premier V-6 and Premier V-8. The engines include a 4.0-liter V-6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 4.6-liter V-8 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is interesting to note that the V-8 model earned better fuel economy figures from the EPA (15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway) than the V-6 model. The standard powertrain is rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive optional on all three models. The Mercury Mountaineer ranked among the top three models in its segment in our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. In addition, the Mercury scored perfect “5-star” crash test ratings in recent testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Mountaineer was significantly updated just three years ago, so the 2009 model remains unchanged.
2009 Midsize SUVs Buyer's Guide
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