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2009 Mercury Milan Performance Review

February 21, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

neither engine offers much off-the-line grunt
Edmunds

Available all-wheel-drive capabilities not found in the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry
Kelley Blue Book

(automatic) lacks manual-shift mode, which would be useful on hilly roads
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Mercury Milan is offered with several powertrain combinations, combining either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with manual or five-speed automatic transmissions or a sportier 3.0-liter six-cylinder with a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available with only the V-6.

The Milan brings average performance with either engine option, though the 3.0-liter version provides an expected performance boost. Edmunds finds that "neither engine offers much off-the-line grunt.” While Kelley Blue Book agrees with the initial sentiment, noting a "moderate delay on initial acceleration," they also say that "the Milan is eager to pass or merge" once it gets going. ConsumerGuide provides further validation, reporting that V-6-powered Mercury Milans "have good passing and merging power, even with the additional weight of AWD."

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com also approve of the transmission offerings on the 2009 Mercury Milan, with ConsumerGuide saying that "the smooth, responsive six-speed automatic makes the most of the available power." However, they lament the lack of a "manual-shift mode, which would be useful on hilly roads." Edmunds also wishes for a manual-shift option on the Milan, feeling that it would "make the car even more attractive to driving enthusiasts." Fuel economy varies across the powertrains on the Milan Mercury, but the EPA estimates 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway for the 2.3-liter with a manual and front-wheel drive and 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway with the 3.0-liter V-6 and front-wheel drive.

The 2009 Mercury Milan is adept in corners, and many reviewers are surprised by the Milan's handling characteristics. Edmunds raves about the "responsive steering" and thinks the "the 2009 Mercury Milan is one of the sportier" vehicles in its class. ConsumerGuide also loves the car's road abilities, proclaiming that the Milan possesses "good balance in turns with modest body lean" and finds that "AWD traction is a boon on slick road." When combined with the 2009 Milan's "stopping control and brake pedal feel" that ConsumerGuide considers "good," it all adds up to an impressive driving experience.

Conclusion

The 2009 Mercury Milan’s engines are adequate, but its handling separates it from the mid-size sedan pack.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:neither engine offers much off-the-line gruntEdmundsAvailable all-wheel-drive capabilities not found in the Honda Accord or Toyota CamryKelley Blue Book(automatic) lacks manual-shift mode, which would be useful on hilly roadsConsumerGuide The 2009 Mercury Milan is offered with several powertrain combinations, combining either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with manual or five-speed automatic transmissions or a sportier 3.0-liter six-cylinder with a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available with only the V-6. The Milan brings average performance with either engine option, though the 3.0-liter version provides an expected performance boost. Edmunds finds that "neither engine offers much off-the-line grunt.” While Kelley Blue Book agrees with the initial sentiment, noting a "moderate delay on initial acceleration," they also say that "the Milan is eager to pass or merge" once it gets going. ConsumerGuide provides further validation, reporting that V-6-powered Mercury Milans "have good passing and merging power, even with the additional weight of AWD." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com also approve of the transmission offerings on the 2009 Mercury Milan, with ConsumerGuide saying that "the smooth, responsive six-speed automatic makes the most of the available power." However, they lament the lack of a "manual-shift mode, which would be useful on hilly roads." Edmunds also wishes for a manual-shift option on the Milan, feeling that it would "make the car even more attractive to driving enthusiasts." Fuel economy varies across the powertrains on the Milan Mercury, but the EPA estimates 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway for the 2.3-liter with a manual and front-wheel drive and 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway with the 3.0-liter V-6 and front-wheel drive. The 2009 Mercury Milan is adept in corners, and many reviewers are surprised by the Milan's handling characteristics. Edmunds raves about the "responsive steering" and thinks the "the 2009 Mercury Milan is one of the sportier" vehicles in its class. ConsumerGuide also loves the car's road abilities, proclaiming that the Milan possesses "good balance in turns with modest body lean" and finds that "AWD traction is a boon on slick road." When combined with the 2009 Milan's "stopping control and brake pedal feel" that ConsumerGuide considers "good," it all adds up to an impressive driving experience. ConclusionThe 2009 Mercury Milan’s engines are adequate, but its handling separates it from the mid-size sedan pack.  2009 MERCURY MILAN STYLING | [8 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "a clean, modestly-adorned overall appearance" Edmunds.com: "sporty midsize family sedan with styling that doesn't get lost in the crowd" Consumer Guide: "Milans have a more upscale look when compared to Fusion and even the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Like the Mercury Milan, the Nissan Altima comes with a manual transmission option in four-cylinder versions and offers great handling.  It may have a little more room than the Ford but doesn’t offer an all-wheel-drive option. Sedan shoppers that want room and style should check out the new Honda Accord with its sharpened handling and a huge interior. The Toyota Camry is the more conservative choice in this class but also comes with a Hybrid powertrain. The Chrysler Sebring is also a competitor to the Milan; from a distance, the Sebring looks like a worthy rival—and its feature list is better than the Milan's—but its interior is disappointing, and up close, chintzy materials, coarse powertrains, and an unremarkable driving experience leave TheCarConnection.com little to recommend over the well-rounded Milan.

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See the Mercury Milan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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