The 2009 Mercury Sable remains unchanged from the previous year model. This large sedan shares the same construction platform as the Ford Taurus and competes with vehicles such as the Toyota Avalon, the Chrysler 300C, the Dodge Charger and the Pontiac G8. For 2009, the Mercury Sable offers only one engine and transmission combination, in two trim levels, base and Premier trim.
The single engine available is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 263 hp, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle also offers numerous standard safety features, such as ABS, traction control and an antiskid system. Ford's SYNC system is available as an option, as are options such as a sunroof, power adjustable pedals and a navigation system. Premier trim level models enjoy heated leather seats, all leather upholstery and the SYNC system standard.
2009 Mercury Sable Performance
For acceleration, the Sable offers adequate power from a stop. However, don't expect it to break any speed records. The vehicle is perky enough, but lacks the sheer brute force needed to make it blaze through traffic. Highway driving is equally problematic, due to transmission operation. There is a significant amount of throttle needed to engage a downshift when passing and the transmission seems to have problems choosing a gear to stick with at moderate highway speeds. For fuel economy, the vehicle comes in with an average of 20.5 mpg, which is about middle of the road for the class.
Steering and handling in the Sable are high points for the vehicle. The steering is stable and enjoyable. Body lean is noticeable in hard turns, though not particularly noticeable otherwise. Braking is powerful, without being dramatic and the antiskid system works quiet well. If bad weather is a factor in your area, the all-wheel drive system is something that you should certainly consider.
For ride quality, the Sable scores pretty high. It offers excellent performance over bumps, while the ride remains comfortable during most driving. Rough road surfaces can induce some jouncing, but it is only a minor concern. Finally, the 2009 Mercury Sable is a very quiet ride. Wind noise at highway speeds is minimal, while road noise is only pronounced over rough surfaces. The engine growls nicely under acceleration, but is quiet and refined during cruising speeds.
2009 Mercury Sable Interior
The Sable gets excellent marks for a quality interior design. The plastics used are nicely textured and kept to a minimum, while all fabrics are nicely patterned. The mixture of hard and soft surfaces in the cabin is also a nice touch. While the cabin is not luxurious, it is certainly better than many other options within the same class. All controls seem to be laid out quite well, but drivers may be confused by the sheer number of buttons. The addition of a navigation system does little to quell the confusion for new drivers. However, the central gauge cluster is laid out logically and provides immediate access to all information.
The front seats are set quite high off the floor, which helps to add comfort to the vehicle. The seats, themselves, provide excellent support and comfort for any type of driving, whether you're taking a short hop or spending the day on the road. In addition, the low dashboard and high seats make visibility excellent all the way around in the vehicle. The rear seating is accomplished via a bench seat – not the best choice for comfort. The legroom and headroom is excellent, though; you won't relegate just the kids to sitting in the back.
Cargo room in the 2009 Mercury Sable is excellent. The trunk is enormous and is ideal for almost any type of cargo, from golf clubs to groceries and luggage. The rear seats fold (but not flat); giving you a bit of additional room and a fold-down passage allows you to store long objects. The cabin does suffer from too few storage compartments.
2009 Mercury Sable Safety Features
The 2009 Mercury Sable offers several safety features. Dual front airbags, post-crash alert systems, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, rollover sensors and an antitheft system round out the offerings on the Sable.
Summary
In summation, the 2009 Mercury Sable is an excellent vehicle for family needs. It is spacious, quiet and offers quite a few safety features for your protection. It does suffer in the performance aspect a bit, but no more so than any other vehicle in its class. In short, the Sable is a decent family car that provides some surprising benefits.