Overview & Reviews

The Mercury Mountaineer features a number of significant improvements for 2006. Styling has been updated with a bolder grille treatment, a new tailgate and more attractive taillights. Interior furnishings get an upgrade, too, and additional sound insulation results in a supremely quiet cabin, while a stiffened frame and new shocks provide even better ride and handling characteristics than before. Mercury says it has tweaked the 4.0-liter V6 to cut smog-forming emissions by 74 percent and expects it to achieve ULEV-II status. A new three-valve 4.6-liter V8 replaces last year's two-valve version. With 292 horsepower (up 52 from last year's) and 300 pound-feet of torque, the engine raises the V8 Mountaineer's tow limit to 7,300 pounds and delivers 10-percent better fuel economy. Front-seat side airbags, AdvanceTrac stability control and Roll Stability Control are standard on all Mountaineers and a navigation system and a power-operated third-row seat are new options.

• Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout, standard Roll Stability Control.

• Low resale value, lousy fuel economy.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 62.00

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  Excellent Vehicle - Very Happy! - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By 1st SUV - July 1 - 9:13 pm

  I purchased this 2006 vehicle about 1 month ago from a private party, with about 28k miles. After reading all the reviews about poor transmissions, and all the problems people were having, I almost turned away a great SUV! I have had NO problems whatsoever (knock on wood) so far. Transmission is very smooth & very fun to drive. Interior design is very nice and unique, but the exterior presents nothing truly exciting. I have been getting about 385 miles per tank, roughly 20 gallons to fill up, at about $60 bucks a pop...but its well worth it, and its an SUV so that was expected!

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  1 year ownership - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Richard Miller - May 24 - 3:50 pm

  Solid SUV with all the features we wanted including a strong towing capability. One body flaw found was a piece of weld metal the size of a pea on the roof that was painted over. No trips to service in a year and everything functions well. Quiet ride and very comfortable on long trips. Steering and suspension seem to be a little looser than Explorers with similar equipment but not a major detractor. Easily handles our 6000 lb boat and the standard hitch integrates nicely. Wish the mileage was better but all things considered, we are very happy after one year of ownership.

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  our first suv - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Donald Sistrunk - April 13 - 10:36 am

  We have had many new trucks and cars, but this is our first suv. Very pleased with the smooth ride and good handling. Since Im used to driving a big truck, the gas mileage id not bad. the few bad points I have against it are the small seats that bit too high. It feels like my head is always touching the ceiling. also the door handle is too low to be comfortable. overall I am still pleased with my purchase of a mountaineer.

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  Great SUV - Not for the big boys - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jtsull - April 16 - 9:23 am

  Very stable compared to the previous design. Great safety features and build quality. Love the V8 with 6 speed transmission. Here is the flaw. I am 62" at 215lbs. The drivers seating area feels like it was designed by engineers 55" at 155 LBs and drive with the seat all the way forward. If I place the seat back, it is uncomfortable to reach for the steering wheel (not telescoping). Also the seat is so small my legs begin to hurt. The padding is minimal so your sort of sitting on the outside frame of the seat. The seat is actually 1" more narrow than the 2003 focus we own! Very disappointed in the ergonomics. The awkward door handle eats up even more room. If I could return it ....

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  Great Value - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Great Value - February 23 - 5:13 am

  Shopped Honda Pilots, Toyota Highlanders, Toyota 4Runners, Ford Explorers, Subarus, and some of the smaller SUVs as well (Rav4/Mariner/Escape/CRV). Finally came across the Mercury Mountaineer. Really liked the exterior styling of the Mountaineer over the Explorer and it seemed to offer more standard features. Compared to the Honda/Toyota counterparts, the Mountaineer offered far more for the money (about a $6k - 8k difference for the Honda/Toyota equivalent). Really like the smaller SUVs but was able to pick up the larger Mountaineer for about $1k - 2k more. Once again, a great overall value. Gas mileage is on par for a SUV of this size.

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  Great SUV for a Ford Product - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By CO Driver - October 29 - 1:06 pm

  The Mercury Mountaineer is an all around great SUV with a nice standard package as well as a great option list that will make the price shoot through the roof. The 4.0L V6 is a great motor offering 210 hp and 254 ft-lbs of torque at 5100 rpm and an average of 20 mpg. Living in Colorado I can really test the performance of a motor! At an average altitude of 5,280 ft and many passes that climb well over 12,000 ft, the 4.0L V6 had power to spare. The handling of the Mountaineer is better than other SUVs test driven. With the Stability Control system, it really helps the Mountaineer really stick to the road. With minimal body roll and tight steering, their really is no "wishy washy" feeling

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  Mountaingirl - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By NANCY - October 18 - 7:16 am

  wish it had bubble mirrors on the side mirrors for blind spots, still learning sight distance for interstate travel, drives great, do not like the interior door handles, just okay

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  My First SUV - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By First SUV - September 28 - 12:23 am

  This is my first SUV, bought from a dealer auction as used, mileage 31k. So far fantastic. Fun to drive. Gas mileage could be better, but its an SUV. Would recommend to friends. Interior styling very ergonomic, and quite. V6 performance adequate. Gear shift is ok, but sometimes you feel the jerk. My wife loves to drive.

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  Very Nice SUV - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jhalle - December 7 - 7:13 am

  We just traded in our 2003 Mountaineer for a used 2006 Model. We were very pleased with the previous model and are even more pleased with this one. It handles much better than the 03 Model and the interior is much more luxurious. Spent months comparing and trying 3 row SUVs. This was by far the best value. Sure the Highlander and Pilot were a little more refined but not enough to justify the extra $8000-$10000 price tags. Wish they would not have changed lift gate.Paid $17,500 for a loaded model with 19,000 miles on it. Some have complained of the door handles. Though a little awkward at first you do get used to it within a week.

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  luv it - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By MRS. A - August 20 - 6:33 am

  I bought this used. Had a moutaineer in 1999. Love this SUV. Navigation/radio went out but was replaced with warranty. I get 22mpg on highway,bad around town. Traded off because I wanted the 8cyl. was well worth it. Again could not be happier.