Overview & Reviews
When the Mercury Montego first showed up in the late 1960s as a replacement for the popular Mercury Comet, it was meant to compete with the rising tide of imports. These Mercury sedans and coupes were larger than the Comet and offered additional performance and luxury variants. The Cyclone version was the division's entry in the then-popular muscle car segment. Under the skin, the Montego shared its platform with sister Ford division's Torino.
But by the mid-'70s, the Montego had grown considerably in size and was eventually discontinued. However, the Montego name wasn't without its successes; in the early '70s a Mercury Montego won several NASCAR races.
The Montego name was MIA throughout the 1980s and '90s. Then Mercury resurrected the Montego nameplate for the 2005 model year. It was still a clone of a Ford, however -- in this case the Five Hundred -- but with a different grille and taillights. Alas, this latest Montego revival was short-lived, as Mercury dropped the name and returned to the more well-known Sable moniker beginning with the 2008 model year.
Before its name change, the Mercury Montego didn't exactly light the large sedan segment on fire. However, it offered a roomy cabin and trunk, available all-wheel drive and an unusual elevated driving position, and its Volvo-derived underpinnings imbued it with a solid feel from the driver seat. If you find the Montego appealing, you're in luck -- low resale values make the Montego a bargain on the used-car market.
Most Recent Mercury Montego
The Mercury Montego large sedan remained largely unchanged during its brief existence. The Montego and its Ford twin, the Five Hundred, were built on a modified Volvo platform. Though it was never a segment leader, the big Mercury did have some interesting features. For example, it offered a notably high stance, which gave the driver a commanding view of the road similar to that of an SUV. The car also boasted a spacious rear seat and a large trunk with 21 cubic feet of storage space.
All Montegos came with a 3.0-liter V6 good for 203 horsepower. A six speed automatic was standard. Acceleration from this powertrain was adequate at best. Front-wheel or all-wheel-drive models were available. All-wheel-drive Montegos came with a constantly variable transmission (CVT). The six-speed automatic transmission performed decently, but the CVT was smoother and did a better job of keeping the engine in its power band.
What the Mercury Montego lacked in pure power, it partially made up for by offering engaging handling dynamics. It delivered both a comfortable around-town ride and a moderately sporty demeanor when the road turned twisty. The Montego's interior was also spacious and attractive. However, the quality of the materials was somewhat lacking when compared to the car's Japanese competitors.
Offered in two trim levels, Luxury (base) and Premier, this full-size Mercury was nicely equipped right out of the box. The Luxury came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, foglights, dual-zone climate control and full power features including a six-way power driver seat.
The Premier added heated leather seating, wood-grain trim, an upgraded audio system and a two-person memory feature for the driver seat and mirrors. Exterior changes to the Premier included 18-inch wheels and perimeter lighting. Many of the Premier's upgraded features were available as options on the base Luxury trim.
Standard safety features included ABS, traction control, front and rear head curtain airbags, and front and rear side-mounted torso-protecting airbags. Stability control was not available on any Mercury Montego.
Past Mercury Montego Models With just a few years in production, the Montego received only minor changes after its 2005 introduction. For 2006, the Montego was endowed with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and a DVD entertainment system and a navigation system were added to the options list. Bottom line: If you're looking for a used large sedan that prioritizes spaciousness over performance, there are worse choices. Moreover, the Montego's low resale value certainly adds to its appeal for shoppers on a budget. But if you're looking for a car that offers plenty of room along with spirited acceleration, you might want to consider other large sedans.
I love this car and I had the usual problems that most have mentioned. I replaced the front strut mounts (ext warranty) after about 35000 miles. The auto down window regulator broke and that was also covered by my extended warranty. I had the bubbles in the dash compartnemtn lid and the dealer popped a new one in it. The interior is wearing on the door handle and the shifterknow is peeling. Mileage is great and I am getting those mid twenties also. Ride is great and I love the large door. The only problem with this car is that Ford and Mercury never marketed this car correctly. My kids have trashed the bumpers and body panels with scratches and dings but what can you expect with teenagers.
Mercury brand is back. Great value.
I think the 2005 Mercury Montego is the most comfortable car in its size group I have ridden in. I drove cross country and remained comfortable the entire time. Im very short and love the way the Montego seats sit up higher than in a normal sedan. I also like all of the safey features packed into this car. I would be happier with a little bit better gas mileage but I will trade that for the comfort.
good buy and good quality fun to drive
great dealer
The Montego is comfortable, stylish and handles well on the road. The high seating arrangement is exceptional and easy to see the road. Back seat is roomy and comfortable, and the car seats five comfortably. Gas mileage is not as stated, but is acceptable. I would purchase this car again!
No problems to date - wifes car so it is not driven daily. Have had two (2) 500 mile trips - mileage just now getting up to rated - 28 / 29 mpg highway. Like the six speed auto - very smooth. Good looks outside and inside. Lots of room in back seat and trunk area. Could use more power but the six speed helps the 3 liter engine perform fairly well.
I had back trouble and was looking for a good mileage car that I could get into. Im6,1 and 260 lbs so I needed a lot of room. At first I didnt like it as I thought I was leg cramped! I then realized I could move my brake anf gas pedal up and down. That took care of my leg problem. I average between 23-25 miles in the city and about 27-29.6 on the highway!
If you are looking for a performance sedan, this probably isnt the best choice of vehicles. If you are looking for a CAR that is actually comfortable for 5 people who might have luggage, this might just be THE BEST car on the market --> especially when price is a consideration. Backseat head and legroom is excellent in all three seat positions. The six- speed automatic transmission takes some getting use to, but gets the job done. I preferred this to the Ford 500 for the two-tone leather interior, HID headlamps and LED taillights. Gas mileage has been decent so far averaging about 26 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving.
My first two Mercurys were Sables and I was impressed by their quality and reliability. The Montego has given me outstanding service. It is comfortable and a real pleasure to drive, both in town and on long road trips. The fuel economy surprised me, since the Montego is a large car. I routinely get 29-30 MPG on the highway and 26 in town. In all, a fine package and a good value.
This is probably the last car Ill ever need to buy. I like everything about it. Ive had dozens of cars and trucks before. This ones a keeper. Its comfortable and fun to drive. Ive found the 3.0 liter to have plenty enough power for my needs and the gas mileage is amazing for this class of vehicle. Average 23-24 local driving and on a long trip using cruise control this thing jumps up to an average of 32-33 mpg. Since 2007 Ive driven it 40,000 miles. I bought it with 23,000 on it for a total of 63,000 miles. It runs like new. The Montego is built like a tank, rugged. The AWD coupled with Traction control and the CVT transmission work together allow the car to walk over any ice or snow. User Reviews:
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