2010 Mercury Mountaineer

MSRP: $29,480 - $37,180

Invoice: $27,626 - $34,633

MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

 

Overview

Mercury's only seven passenger offering is identified as the Mountainer. The Mountainer is an SUV with a body on frame construction and it shares many features found in the Ford Explorer. A brand new Explorer is in the works right now. However, the Mercury Mountainer will soon be coming to its end.Launched in 2006, the Mountainer has had very few changes since its birth. Its design is clearly aging. It lacks Ford's Sync Connect, a feature that is often in alternative Ford models. It also lacks any changes to its engine and it lacks the V-6 Ecoboost motor found in the newest crossovers.This vehicle still has the old body on frame design so the ride it offers is short of smooth. Newer crossovers have better handling, greater performance, and better driving manners overall. The Mountainer does however; offer a nice payload and towing capacity. It also has better off road abilities too. Therefore, if you want an exceptional off road vehicle, the Mountainer will be offered at great discounts and is an ideal option for the outdoor type.

Other SUVs to Consider

Those who can do without substantial towing capabilities should consider a more comfortable crossover SUV. The , for example, will save you nearly $1,600 as compared to the base Mountaineer and has a better 17/23 base fuel economy rating. Its boxy styling is similar to the Mountaineer’s, but its smoother highway ride makes it a better daily driver. It can even tow up to 4,500 pounds and comes standard with three rows of seats.
If you really want to save money and are set on a truck-based SUV, check out the . It starts at about $3,000 less than the Mountaineer and still boasts a better 17/21 fuel economy rating – which is surprising considering that it’s built on a truck-based platform just like the Mountaineer. It also comes with three rows of seats and a surprisingly nice interior. Best of all, it’s rated to tow 7,500 pounds – that’s even more than the Mountaineer – when properly equipped.

Details: Mercury Mountaineer

For 2010, the Mountaineer is unchanged. It is available in three trims: the base V6, Premier V6 and Premier V8. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

• "It suffers some ergonomic lapses, and interior materials are unimpressive. Mountaineer, however, is a competent SUV with a solid array of useful features. Its traditional truck-type chassis serves trailering needs without giving up much refinement to lighter-duty crossovers.
• "A classic body-on-frame SUV that offers a quiet and supple driving experience, the ability to tow large objects, and three rows of seats. Trucklike construction adds up to a hefty curb weight, a thirst for fuel, and a boring driving experience. A true SUV for those who still want one.
• "One SUV that can get the job done, and do it with a huge amount of style is Mercury's 2010 Mountaineer. … Certainly, no vehicle is perfect, but if diverse capabilities at a reasonable price are in your game plan, Mercury's Mountaineer meets the mark. If you had to pigeon-hole the Mountaineer, it would have to be a backroad brawler with a bunch of class."

7.3 (Good)

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is a great performer when it’s hauling and towing, but its truck-based chassis means it doesn’t ride as smoothly as its car-based competitors. Its fuel economy is also extremely low for its class, which means the Mountaineer may not be a very good choice for commuters.

8.3 (Very Good)

The 2010 Mountaineer's design, which is very similar to itssibling, doesn't stand out. In fact, reviewers don’t even have many opinions on the styling.

8.3 (Very Good)

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer's cabin is comfortable and well-appointed -- especially for a rugged, truck-based SUV -- but it still doesn't hold up to competitors or its high base price when it comes to quality.

9.0 (Excellent)

The  gives the 2010 Mountaineer excellent scores in frontal and side crash tests. However, it doesn't fare quite

7.0 (Good)

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided  .. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mercury offers a limited that is good for the first three years or 36,000 miles.