Used 2008 Mercury Mountaineer

Although the 2008 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 a heavy dose of its new 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.

On the road, the 2008 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.

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 2008 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.

Reverse Sensing System
The optional 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 passengers in the event of a rollover or side collision.

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.

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, heated leather seats, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, quad bucket seating, power-extendable running boards and an automatic garage door opener.

Recent swings in gas prices might make the V6 Mountaineer an attractive prospect, but it has basically the same EPA figures as the V8. 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, yet doesn’t consume much more fuel than the V6.

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 @ 5750 rpm
300 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/20 (2WD), 13/19 (AWD)