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By 
Marty Padgett, Executive Editor
The family-sedan experts at TheCarConnection.com studied road tests of the 2008 Mercury Sable to put together this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s resident experts also drove the Mercury Sable to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, and to add more impressions and details and provide you with the best information.
Likes:
- Vast interior room
- Predictable handling
- Good brakes
- Big, big trunk
- Sync entertainment controller
Dislikes
- Plain exterior styling
- Inexpensive plastic trim
- Unexciting in every way
The 2008 Mercury Sable is the car formerly known as the Montego. After the 2007 model year. Ford decided to revive the old Sable nameplate. The result? A big, roomy sedan with good road manners and optional all-wheel drive, but without striking styling to truly set it apart from its Ford Taurus twin.
When Ford decided to bring back the Sable, they also took the opportunity to tweak its engine too, boosting it to 3.5 liters, and 263 horsepower. Now teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission that shifts well enough, the Sable’s drivetrain gives it decent, and decently quiet, power that keeps pace in normal driving. It’s no enthusiast’s dream, but the Sable’s power and gears are tuned for ample in-town flexibility and good fuel economy of 18/28 mpg with front-drive cars, and 17/24 mpg with all-wheel-drive versions.
A fully independent suspension, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, and standard 17-inch wheels and tires contribute to the 2008 Mercury Sable’s good ride and handling. With unique tuning, the Sable feels responsive without being edgy at all. The steering lacks a lot of feedback but it’s light. Braking is strong, and the Sable has a nicely controlled ride.
The 2008 Mercury Sable’s interior is a bit drab but it’s pieced together well, and there’s plenty of storage space in the console and door panels. The seats are perched high, giving drivers a commanding view of the road, too, and the glassy cabin offers up great visibility. That, the large switchgear, and a comprehensive package of airbags, stability control and available all-wheel drive make the Sable one of the safest cars on the road. It earns a five-star crash rating from the NHTSA, and a four-star rollover rating.
The 2008 Mercury Sable comes in Base and Premier models. Unique interior trim can be specified from the Cyber Carbon look to Guitar Maple or San Macassar woodgrains. Base cars get cloth seats, while Premier cars get two-tone leather. All Sables have power windows/locks/mirrors, a CD player, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Options include a DVD navigation and a DVD entertainment system, Sirius satellite radio, Ford's Sync system, stability control, 18-inch chromed wheels, a moonroof, and power-adjustable pedals.
The Bottom Line:
The 2008 Mercury Sable has great interior room and trunk space, comprehensive safety gear and large instrumentation, but falls behind the Honda Accord in driving excitement.
Other Choices:
If you like the 2008 Mercury Sable, also consider:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Toyota Avalon
- Chevrolet Impala
- Ford Taurus
Buick’s surprisingly satisfying LaCrosse has V-6 power, a great automatic transmission and a sophisticated interior. The Toyota Avalon’s somewhat unusual styling is balanced by its vast interior room and the model’s exceptional reputation for reliability. Chevrolet’s Impala was greatly improved in a redesign a few years ago, and can be a great bargain -- plus, it’s the only car in this group with a V-8 option. The Ford Taurus is the Sable’s near-twin and has a bold horizontal grille.
Buying Tip
Despite bringing back the Sable name, the biggest Mercury sedan isn’t selling so well. Most versions can be had at a considerable discount. All-wheel drive can be a boon for drivers in northern and mountain states, but most will be happy with the better fuel economy and lighter feel of the front-wheel-drive Sable.
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