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2009 Mercury Mountaineer Quality Review

February 23, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the third row is narrow and low to the floor, making long trips uncomfortable for adults
Kelley Blue Book

plenty of room on comfortable seats
ConsumerGuide

a smooth and composed ride
Edmunds.com

The 2009 Mercury Mountaineer offers up to three rows of seating and a relatively plush interior, though as with most other SUVs, that third-row seat is a little snug for anyone larger than a “tweener.”

The Mountaineer’s basics give drivers some flexibility with people and cargo. Automotive.com reports that the "Mercury Mountaineer offers three interior layouts: five-passenger, six-passenger or seven-passenger," along with "multi-adjustable front seats make for comfortable commutes." Cars.com says that "second-row seats can be ordered as either a bench or bucket seats," and Mercury Mountaineer 2009 Premier models "have reclining seatbacks." ConsumerGuide points out "plenty of room on comfortable seats...three adults can squeeze across in the roomy 2nd row," while amazingly, "third-row headroom is expansive, and legroom is surprisingly good." On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book contends that "the third row is narrow and low to the floor, making long trips uncomfortable for adults"—which is the usual case for SUVs.

Mercury Mountaineer storage space is acceptable, according to most reviews TheCarConnection.com read. ConsumerGuide says that the Mercury Mountaineer 2009's rear "separate-opening hatch glass is handy, but the hatch itself is weighty to open or close...second- and 3rd-row seats fold nearly flat for ample cargo room." However, "aside from a large console box, interior storage is meager."

Opinions on cabin materials are fairly consistent from what we've seen at TheCarConnection.com. The interior Mercury Mountaineer materials "are generally nice, though there are some plastics that smack of cost-cutting," according to Automotive.com, which adds that "front door handles and door pulls are strangely placed and are at first awkward to use." ConsumerGuide is less than complimentary, saying that Mercury Mountaineer 2009 interior materials are "mostly solid-feeling...many surfaces are hard plastic, however, which we deem inappropriate given Mountaineer's upscale intentions."

For a truck-derived sport-ute, the Mountaineer has pleasant road manners. Most reviewers say that the ride is quite comfortable, but ConsumerGuide places the Mercury Mountaineer 2009 "among the best of traditional truck-type SUVs...compliant, and devoid of sloppy motions."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mercury Mountaineer’s spacious and flexible interior offers plenty of room for adults and cargo.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:the third row is narrow and low to the floor, making long trips uncomfortable for adultsKelley Blue Bookplenty of room on comfortable seatsConsumerGuidea smooth and composed rideEdmunds.com The 2009 Mercury Mountaineer offers up to three rows of seating and a relatively plush interior, though as with most other SUVs, that third-row seat is a little snug for anyone larger than a “tweener.” The Mountaineer’s basics give drivers some flexibility with people and cargo. Automotive.com reports that the "Mercury Mountaineer offers three interior layouts: five-passenger, six-passenger or seven-passenger," along with "multi-adjustable front seats make for comfortable commutes." Cars.com says that "second-row seats can be ordered as either a bench or bucket seats," and Mercury Mountaineer 2009 Premier models "have reclining seatbacks." ConsumerGuide points out "plenty of room on comfortable seats...three adults can squeeze across in the roomy 2nd row," while amazingly, "third-row headroom is expansive, and legroom is surprisingly good." On the other hand, Kelley Blue Book contends that "the third row is narrow and low to the floor, making long trips uncomfortable for adults"—which is the usual case for SUVs. Mercury Mountaineer storage space is acceptable, according to most reviews TheCarConnection.com read. ConsumerGuide says that the Mercury Mountaineer 2009's rear "separate-opening hatch glass is handy, but the hatch itself is weighty to open or close...second- and 3rd-row seats fold nearly flat for ample cargo room." However, "aside from a large console box, interior storage is meager." Opinions on cabin materials are fairly consistent from what we've seen at TheCarConnection.com. The interior Mercury Mountaineer materials "are generally nice, though there are some plastics that smack of cost-cutting," according to Automotive.com, which adds that "front door handles and door pulls are strangely placed and are at first awkward to use." ConsumerGuide is less than complimentary, saying that Mercury Mountaineer 2009 interior materials are "mostly solid-feeling...many surfaces are hard plastic, however, which we deem inappropriate given Mountaineer's upscale intentions." For a truck-derived sport-ute, the Mountaineer has pleasant road manners. Most reviewers say that the ride is quite comfortable, but ConsumerGuide places the Mercury Mountaineer 2009 "among the best of traditional truck-type SUVs...compliant, and devoid of sloppy motions." ConclusionThe 2009 Mercury Mountaineer’s spacious and flexible interior offers plenty of room for adults and cargo. 2009 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars and Driver: "Explorer styling looks perhaps too familiar" Kelley Blue Book: "interior is beautifully arranged, with high-quality plastics and an intelligent dash design” MotherProof: "elicits big wows everywhere we go" The 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Data indicates that Mercury drivers are using Mountaineers as car and/or minivan substitutes, not as truck alternatives, and in that respect, there are more efficient people movers. For instance, Ford’s own carlike Edge crossover and its Lincoln sibling, the MKX, have better passenger comfort while offering comparable cargo versatility. So does the Honda Pilot, which has a little more truck toughness but still shows its car roots—and the Pilot will seat up to eight. But for those who still look to a vehicle like this for off-road ability, the Toyota 4Runner might be a better choice. Its interior is less spacious, but it can be equipped especially well for off-roading. And for those who tow regularly, the GMC Envoy is another alternative, though it doesn’t measure up to any of the other vehicles in terms of ride comfort, noise, or performance.

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See the Mercury Mountaineer in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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