The Mercury Milan is essentially the same as a Ford Fusion, dressed up with satin nickel accents inside and out for what Mercury hopes is a more contemporary, sophisticated appearance. The Milan is supposed to be a little more upscale than its Ford twin, but not quite as luxurious as the Lincoln MKZ, which is basically the same car as the Ford and Mercury. Choosing a Milan over a Fusion really is a matter of aesthetic taste: either you like the Fusion’s styling or you don’t. If you don’t, maybe the Mercury is more appealing.

For 2010, Mercury has performed a significant mid-cycle freshening of its mid-size sedan. Though it looks new inside and out, under the cosmetic and engineering updates the bones of last year’s car are plainly evident. The biggest news is the addition of a fuel-saving Hybrid model.

Highlights of the 2010 Mercury Milan include:

• Restyled, inside and out
• New Milan Hybrid model rated at 41 mpg city
• New blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert function
• New rearview camera system
• New 911 Assist feature for Ford SYNC technology
• More powerful and fuel-efficient standard four-cylinder engine
• More powerful and fuel-efficient optional 3.0-liter V-6 engine with flex-fuel capability
• New six-speed manual and automatic transmissions
• New electric power steering
• New Sony premium surround sound audio system
• New cabin air filtration system
• Tightened turning radius by one foot

Model Lineup

Mercury’s Milan lineup is not quite as comprehensive as that of the Fusion, as it lacks a Sport model. However, Mercury buyers are unlikely to miss that omission because there’s a hybrid model, an all-wheel-drive version, and enough optional goodies to outfit one like an entry-level luxury car. Curiously, there’s also a model with a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission.

The Milan S is the base model. It’s equipped with power windows, power door locks, power heated mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that tilts and telescopes for comfort. Owners gain entry via a remote keyless entry fob or the SecuriCode keyless entry keypad on the outside of the driver’s door. A trip computer is also standard, along with a CD player, Sirius satellite radio, and an audio input jack for portable music players. The Milan S also includes 16-inch aluminum wheels, LED taillights, a power driver’s seat, a split-folding rear seat, a folding front passenger’s seat, and a remote trunk release. Cruise control, illuminated visor mirrors, cabin air filtration, and seatback map pockets are also part of the price of entry. The S model is available only with a four-cylinder engine. A manual transmission is standard, and an automatic transmission is available.

The Milan Premier adds leather upholstery, additional adjustment for the driver’s seat, a power front passenger’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a SYNC hands-free communications and entertainment system with voice-activated Bluetooth cell-phone linking and portable audio device control. SYNC also features 911 Assist, which automatically contacts emergency personnel in the event of an airbag deployment, and Vehicle Health Reports that can notify the owner of necessary service requirements. Premier models also include floor mats, ambient interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights, fog lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. An automatic transmission is standard on all Premier models. When the V-6 engine is specified, the Premier adds dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips.

Buyers looking for something a little extra special can select a VOGA option package on the Milan Premier model. Available only in certain colors, the VOGA package adds unique interior trim and Cashmere cabin décor, as well as a chrome grille, chrome decklid garnish, chrome wheels, and a whole bunch of VOGA badges. What is VOGA, anyway? A bunch of websites claim it’s Italian for “fashionable and trend-setting,” but several Italian/English translation tools said it’s also Italian for “rowing.” So there you go.

The fuel-efficient, new-for-2010 Milan Hybrid starts with Premier specification, replacing the Premier’s standard leather with an eco-friendly fabric made from post-industrial 100-percent recycled materials. And because it’s equipped with a completely different powertrain capable of traveling up to 47 mph on the battery pack alone, the rear seat doesn’t fold forward because the batteries are stacked between the seat and the trunk. In terms of standard features, compared to the Premier, the Hybrid adds a standard reverse sensing system, a 110-volt power point in the back seat, a six-disc CD changer, and unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

Milans come with a generous list of standard equipment, but each model is offered with several options. The Milan S can be equipped with SYNC technology, a power sunroof, floor mats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a reverse sensing system, a rear spoiler, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and special pearlescent white paint. Premier models can be equipped with all-wheel drive, a navigation system with Sirius TravelLink, and a premium Sony audio system. Other Premier options include a power sunroof, reverse sensing system, a rear spoiler, and the extra-cost white paint. Premier models can also be equipped with a rearview camera and a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert feature. Hybrid models can be optioned with everything the Premier can, in addition to leather upholstery.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Mercury Milan is equipped with one of three powertrains. The standard engine on Milan S and Premier models is a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual on S or a six-speed automatic on Premier. Fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway with the automatic transmission. Optional on the Premier is a 240-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 engine with flex-fuel capability, hooked to the automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is offered only with the V-6 engine. Fuel economy ranges from 18 mpg city with all-wheel drive to 27 mpg highway with front-wheel drive.

The Milan Hybrid is equipped with a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain. It is a full hybrid, meaning it can operate on electricity alone, and unlike other hybrids that switch over to the gasoline engine at 25 mph, the Milan Hybrid can travel up to 47 mph on the battery pack’s juice before burning gasoline. The gas engine is a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, and the nickel metal hydride battery pack is good for 275 volts of power. Combined horsepower is 191, and the powertrain is rated to return 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Our review vehicle was a Milan Hybrid, and it averaged 33.2 mpg in 1,500 miles of mixed driving with a highway emphasis, used with a full trunk and three occupants. Combined with the Milan Hybrid’s standard 17-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 565-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on every 2010 Mercury Milan includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. The Milan Hybrid also has a driver’s knee airbag. An AdvanceTrac stability and traction control system is also standard, and the braking system is a four-wheel-disc antilock setup with electronic brake-force distribution.

A reverse sensing system, reversing camera, and blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert function are available on the Milan, and 911 Assist technology is offered as a part of the optional SYNC communications package. With 911 Assist, emergency personnel are automatically contacted when the Milan’s airbags deploy, sending help to the car’s location immediately.

The Competition

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2010 Mercury Milan competes against other midsize cars such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Passat.

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Note: This review was published on October 8, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.