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10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2010 Mercury Mountaineer

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Want to save money? Check out the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer

Overview

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2010 Mercury Mountaineer Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Although the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer may look like a high-end premium SUV, it's actually a stylish version of the rugged Ford Explorer. Mercury's twist, which includes an ample dose of its trademark vertical-line styling and heavy chrome accents, dresses up the vehicle to near-Lincoln levels of luxury. Best of all, the Mountaineer retains all the beneficial features of the Explorer, including seven-passenger seating, a rugged body-on-frame architecture and all-wheel-drive capability. Toss in the standard Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags and a long list of luxury and entertainment features, and the Mountaineer looks to be quite a bargain.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like everything about the Ford Explorer, but you'd like to own a vehicle with a little more distinction, the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer may be quite appealing.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Those who need to tow a trailer may find the Mountaineer with the V6 engine to be underpowered. Compared to some newer mid-size SUVs, the Mountaineer's interior can feel slightly narrow. Also, side airbag coverage does not fully extend to cover the third-row seat glass.

What's New for 2010

For 2010, Mercury loads up the Premier model with a standard power moonroof, premium audio with six-disc CD changer and heated leather-trimmed front seats with a 10-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way for the passenger.

Driving the Mountaineer

Driving Impressions On the road, the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer delivers on all points. Its independent rear suspension provides it with great stability while cornering and the variable-rate power steering returns excellent feedback...

to the driver. The ride is as soft and controlled as any full-size sedan, and the Mountaineer's cockpit is amazingly quiet and rattle-free. Mercury has spent considerable time and money in an effort to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, and the payoff is evident. The Mountaineer also has an impressive array of safety features, with crumple zones in the front fenders, three-point seat belts at all positions and a side-curtain airbag system that deploys to cover seventy-five percent of the side glass area.

Favorite Features

Reverse Sensing System
The available Reverse Sensing System alerts you to objects behind the vehicle that are out of the range of the rearview mirror.

Safety Canopy Airbag System
The Mountaineer's standard Safety Canopy airbag system protects first- and second-row passengers in the event of a rollover or side collision.

2010 Mercury Mountaineer Details

Interior

The Mountaineer's interior is beautifully arranged, with high-quality plastics and an intelligent dash design that features new audio and climate controls. The available power-adjustable pedals are most helpful in finding a comfortable driving position. Second-row passengers have good leg and headroom, but the third row is narrow and low to the floor, making long trips uncomfortable for adults. The Mountaineer's available SYNC system is one of the best communication devices in the industry, allowing voice access to music, text messages and phone service.

Exterior

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer takes the rugged good looks of the Explorer and stamps Mercury's new styling theme on its sheet metal. Features such as the retractable running boards and the external keypad lock/unlocking system are unique in this segment and help bolster the Mountaineer's sophisticated image. Some may find the Mountaineer's tall step-in height and roof a bit of a challenge, especially when trying to access items secured to the roof rack. From the waterfall grille and the unique side cladding to the ribbed tail lamps, the Mountaineer places a different but attractive spin on a familiar platform.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The entry-level Mountaineer provides a long list of standard equipment, including a V6 engine, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), two-row side-curtain airbags, rear defroster, power windows, power locks, dual-heated power mirrors, illuminated entry with remote and driver's door keypad, fog lights, automatic headlamps, AM/FM stereo with CD, power driver's seat with manual lumbar support, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, 17-inch machined-aluminum wheels and a rear wiper/washer.

Optional Equipment

Options include a 4.6-liter V8 engine, all-wheel drive, power-adjustable pedals, power glass moonroof, voice-activated navigation, heated windshield, Reverse Sensing System, power folding third-row seats, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Audiophile sound system, SYNC hands-free communication system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, second-row quad bucket seating, power-extendable running boards and an automatic garage door opener.

Under the Hood

Acceleration and passing power are adequate with the V6, but you won't want to be towing a very big trailer with this engine. The V8 is the powerplant of choice. Its three-valve-per-cylinder design helps create lots of torque and it runs very smoothly. Conventional wisdom might assume the V6-powered Mountaineer is more frugal than the V8 version, but thanks to a six speed automatic transmission, the V8 actually earns better EPA fuel economy ratings.

4.0-liter V6
210 horsepower @ 5100 rpm
254 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD), 13/19 (AWD)

4.6-liter V8
292 horsepower @ 5700 rpm
315 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (2WD), 14/19 (AWD)

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2010 Mercury Mountaineer Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.0

Out of 10

Based on 100 Ratings for the 2006 - 2012 Mercury Mountaineer models.

Review this car

Value

9.2/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.4/10

Styling

9.3/10

Excellent car. Friends impressed with condition.

By Jim (PA) on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 141,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Purchased car new. It has been extremely reliable. AWD makes it very road worthy in all kinds of weather. Scheduled maintenance has been reasonably priced. Mileage mostly highway miles. Get 20 mpg."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best Vehicle I have EVER owned.

By Fred (PA) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 251

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "VERY Dependable"

Cons: "automatic 4 wheel (AWD)"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have a 2000 Mountaineer with over 250,000 miles on it. Alough I service it regularly - Out side of tires, brakes, etc. The only repairs that had to be done was an alternator at 175,000 miles and a radiator at 245,000 miles. I am now giving it my son and looking to purchase a 2007."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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