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By Autotropolis Editors
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Strengths: |
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Standard safety features; enjoyable cabin with quality materials; comfortable ride; V8 power. |
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Changes: |
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For 2008, the Mercury Mountaineer undergoes a mild recontenting in order to lower the cost of entry. The Premier models' park assist, heated front seats with memory, and power folding rear seat become options rather than standard. Likewise, leather seating is now optional on the base Mountaineers. Thanks to these steps, pricing has dropped across the Mountaineer line by about $1,500, making the SUV affordable to more buyers. New equipment for 2008 includes Ford's Microsoft-powered voice-activated SYNC system that is able to control cell phones and audio devices. New 20-inch wheels are also available on Premier models. |
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Value: |
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Mercury's 2008 mid-size Mountaineer SUV, which is closely related to the Ford Explorer, has truck-based underpinnings, making it a good choice for those who plan to tow. It also makes a strong argument based on safety features. And with plenty of standard comfort and convenience equipment, plus the choice of either V6 or V8 power, it represents a strong value when compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot. |
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Overview: |
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The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer comes in two models, Mountaineer and Mountaineer Premier. The base Mountaineer comes with a 210-horsepower, 4.0L V6, while the Premier can be specified with either the V6 or a 292-horsepower, 4.6L V8 with variable cam timing. The V6 comes with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the V8 gets a six-speed automatic. Both the base model and Premier can be configured with either a rear-wheel or road-oriented all-wheel-drive system. Maximum towing capacity for the AWD V8 approaches an impressive 6,900.
The Mountaineer is mechanically similar to the Ford Explorer, but it has a very different look inside and out, thanks to satin-aluminum finishes, along with the distinctive Mercury waterfall grille in front and more elegant interior trim.
The base model comes with two rows of seating, while the Premier has three-row seating standard. A 60/40-split, flat-folding second-row bench seat is standard on the Mountaineer, but the Premier model also has an upgraded version with reclining seatbacks for access to the third row. Second-row bucket seats with a center console are available across the range. And on Premier models, power-folding seatbacks are optional and allow the third row to fold completely flat with the touch of a button.
AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, a stability control system especially oriented toward avoiding a rollover situation in tall vehicles, is standard on all Mountaineers, as are anti-lock brakes, dual front air bags, and Mercury's Safety Canopy system of side-curtain bags covering first- and second-row outboard occupants.
The base Mountaineer comes quite well equipped, including 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, fog lamps, heated power mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with secondary controls. Standard equipment on Premier models includes 18-inch satin chrome aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, seven-passenger seating, and the SYNC voice-activated phone and media system.
Notable options include an audiophile seven-speaker sound system with six-disc changer and subwoofer, a DVD-based navigation system, power-deploying running boards that automatically retract out of view, a heated windshield that helps reduce defrost times, a power moonroof, and Sirius satellite radio. |
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