This new mid-size sedan for Mercury shares DNA with Ford's flagship Five Hundred sedan, as both use a Volvo platform. Montego brings the tight handling traits of a European touring car and comes with a spacious passenger compartment with seats for five plus luxury gear including power-adjustable pedals and xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Ford's Duratec 3.0-liter V6 engine fuels Montego with 203 hp and there are options for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) from ZF-Batavia or a six-speed automatic by Aisin.

AWD traction, using the Haldex equipment from Volvo, goes on Montego's list of options, as do side air bags for front seats and Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style air bags for front and rear outboard seats. Montego splits into Premier and Luxury grades. The Luxury model carries 17-inch wheels, an anti-lock brake system (ABS), fog lamps and heated power mirrors, dual-zone electronic climate controls, six-way power for the driver's bucket and an audio system with CD player. The Montego Premier grade adds a traction control system (TCS), 18-inch alloy wheels, Audiophile premium stereo equipment with six-disc CD deck, leather seats and two-way power for the passenger seat.

The mid-size Mountaineer SUV returns in three versions for 2005 labeled Convenience, Luxury and Premier. The cabin supports up to three rows of seats for seven riders. Luxury and Premier editions carry second-row buckets seats, while a third-row bench goes into Premier. Forceful styling for Mountaineer with a bulldog face and smooth body shapes conveys an image of strength as supported by two powerful engines.

The standard 4.0-liter V6 engine musters 210 hp, but an optional 4.6-liter V8 rises to 239 hp. New standard equipment in all for 2005 is Ford's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC). The sophisticated device employs electronic controls to adjust brakes and throttle automatically to correct potentially dangerous lateral skidding and reduce the chances for a rollover accident. Optional AWD models use Ford's Control Trac system to automatically channel engine torque to any wheel. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is standard on the Luxury and Premier, with Ford's Safety Canopy stock for the Premier but available for other trims. Then a new Designer Series upgrades the cabin in rich suede upholstery with scuff plates on doorsills.

Exterior design for this long-wheelbase luxury minivan adopts styling points of Mercury's Mountaineer SUV. The signature waterfall grille mounts up front with satin aluminum accents and flanks wear monochromatic body cladding. The plan for the cabin indicates three rows of seats with twin buckets up front, seats on the second row foldable and a third-tier bench that drops into the flat floor. Power for the Monterey stems from a 4.2-liter V6 engine rated at 201 hp and with enough torque to lug a 3,500-pound trailer.

Trim versions are Convenience, Luxury and Premier. The Convenience issue brings a four-speed automatic transaxle, ABS, twin-zone climate controls and forward and reverse park assist, with side-impact air bags optional plus Ford's Safety Canopy. The Monterey Luxury has heated and cooled front seats covered in perforated leather, power to move two side sliding doors and power-adjustable pedals, side air bags and the Safety Canopy, with Ford's AdvanceTrac stability controls optional. Deluxe Premier trim gets heated and cooled front seats in leather with perforated suede inserts, a power liftgate plus aluminum wheels and satin aluminum roof rails. A DVD-based entertainment system for rear seats is optional. (...BACK)