As mid-size sport utilities go, the Mountaineer is a substantial vehicle. Its size is tempered by its waterfall grille design, multi-element headlamps, and use of matte aluminum exterior trim, including horizontal cages around the tail lamp assemblies. For 2005, a redesigned roof rack, with raised side rails, and satin aluminum exhaust tips are available.
Its relationship with the Explorer can be seen on the rear two-thirds of the vehicle. But the Mercury Mountaineer's expressive design distinguishes it in a sea of SUVs. The styling is intended to be up-market and consistent with the Mercury brand identity.
Mercury has been working hard on color combinations and offers a pleasing pallet. For 2005, there are Designer Series options, which include Preferred Suede interior trim, Mountaineer scuff plates and 17-inch chrome clad wheels.
Getting in is easy. Mountaineer's big over-or-under door handles can be operated easily with gloved hands, preferable to the small lever-style handles that sometimes snap away from your fingers when you're in a hurry. The optional running boards are convenient for those of smaller stature trying to enter and exit gracefully.
The Mountaineer's interior looks terrific, with matte-aluminum trim on the door panels, steering wheel, instrument panel and dashboard. The aluminum trim extends to the main gauges, the tachometer and speedometer, which are done in black-on-white graphics that turn orange-on-white when the lights are on. The thick steering wheel creates a substantial contact point and a secure, in-command driving feel.
This is an easy vehicle to operate and live with. It takes only a couple of rides to find all the controls quickly and easily. Switches, buttons and levers are large, well marked and easy to use. The center console is generous, with lots of storage space, and houses ventilation and storage for second-row passengers as well as an extra 12-volt socket for whatever you need to power.
The front bucket seats are good, long, thick and comfortable, but relatively flat, with no side bolstering. That makes them easier to slide into, but less supportive in corners. The eight-way adjustable power driver's seat is optional. The seat heaters that come on Luxury and Premier models warm the seats quickly, but the buttons are mounted on the side of the seat and can be difficult to find and distinguish from the seat-adjustment switches; fortunately, an indicator on the dash shows when the seat heaters are on.
Third-row seats are cramped for adults, but the second row is accommodating. On 2005 Mountaineers, the outboard seats on the 40/20/40 split second row recline, addressing comfort issues for taller back-seat passengers. Second-row bucket seats are available on Luxury and Premier.
The second- and third-row seats are easy to fold away, which creates an 81.4 cubic-foot cargo bay. We found the seats to be easy to restore to their upright and locked positions.
The optional rear-seat entertainment system includes an overhead DVD player with a pull-down seven-inch color screen; the system comes with two wireless headphones, remote control and a universal jack.
The Mercury Mountaineer offers a combination of refinement and utility that puts it near the top of the class of mid-size SUVs. Its smooth, refined ride is a result of a clever independent rear suspension, which reduces hopping and jarring for rear seat passengers especially.
The standard V6 delivers good performance, and you're not likely to need the optional V8 unless you tow or live at high altitude. You can hear and feel the V6 under full throttle acceleration. The 4.0-liter V6 with overhead cams and aluminum heads is rated at 210 horsepower at 5100 rpm, and 254 pound-feet of torque at 3700 rpm.
The 4.6-liter V8 has a lovely intake roar at full throttle, yet is supremely smooth and quiet. It works well with the five-speed automatic transmission to move this 4500-pound machine effortlessly over flat territory. As the transmission settles into fifth-gear overdrive at highway cruising speed, the tachometer drops well below 2000 rpm, and the engine is just there, in the background, working noiselessly until you downshift with the tip of your toe. Throttle response lacks some verve in hilly terrain. Here it's best to lock out the overdrive fifth, and let the engine rev a little higher in fourth on the way up a long hill. Hook up a trailer and you'll know it's back there when you head up a long grade.
The Mountaineer is very stable and inspires confidence. Its rack-and-pinion steering minimizes wandering on the highway. Body roll, or lean, is controlled well in fast corners. Its rigid, boxed frame lets its fully independent suspension soak up bumps, potholes and tar strips.
