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.
The Montego is a decent car with a few exceptions. My main complaint is the area where you would rest your left foot is awkward as the wheel well comes in at that area and makes long drives very uncomfortable due to the restricted area for your left foot. My second complaint is the seats should be wider & the console narrower. The width of the seats is very restrictive. The seats could be padded a bit better as well. The CVT transmission is great & smooth, the engine lacks acceleration but is ok under normal driving. My Montego averages about 20-21 MPG which is lower than the specs state but still good. Im not sure of the aluminum block for long life.Radio is real cheep sounding.
Having owned 7 Mercurys in the past 18 years I am impressed by the constant quality and reliability of the marque. The 2006 Montego, although not an impressive looking style, is right up there with most vehicles in its class. The comfort is absolutely superb for both driver and passengers. The roominess is superior to most cars, even those costing thousands more. Tall seating is almost as good as most SUVs.
So far I have been very pleased with this car. I have read many reviews about the "under-sized" engine being the Achilles heel of the vehicle. This is not an accurate statement. I have had no problems accelerating into highway traffic and certainly no problems accelerating IN highway traffic. Unless you are Mario Andretti or you are going for a new quarter mile record, the engine power is appropriate. This is the most comfortable car I have ever ridden in. The high seating helps prevent your forward view from being totally obstructed by SUVs and small trucks. The car is also very well equipped even at the entry level.
Most problem is the reading the speedometer in the daylight, I believe they should have reversed the contrasts. Night is ok. The steering adjustment is awkward compared to the Lincon Town Car I had. It was a pleasure to drive.. The Montedgo rides fairly well and is comfortable. The side mirrors are difficult for my to see out of as they are very large and she is smaller than I even with the seat adjust, it does not help her. If they would correct the intrument lighting in day time I would be satisfied
The montego is the best front wheel drive I have ever driven. It also has one of the best road visbilities, you have a very good front view of the road.The montego is just fun to drive.
Fun car to drive! love the radio/stereo controls on the steering wheel, high seating, heated seats, and two tone leather interior. Only draw backs thus far for me is the disappointing gas mileage. Unlike others that are claiming high 20s I only get 19-20 mpg for mixed city/hwy (I figure it with every fill up.) It handles well, is very comfortable, love all the cup holders too! Ford really got this one right!
Mercury hit a huge win with this car.I have owned 6 Lincoln Mercury products and have given up on the imports for quality. The car is well appointed great performance and very luxurious as well. Gas mileage beats my company hybrid.
All in all i would say this a very good vehicle.Slightly underpowered but not sluggish at all.
Great car for family of 5. Lots of room, lots of comfort. Plenty of power. Lots of fun to drive. I love the high set front seats. Theyre great for short people. The leather interior is wonderful. With all the luxury features this car has, it is really a great value. And it looks great.
This is a great car. It just was ranked the safest large sedan and feels safe when you drive it. This safety allows a sense of confidence to overcome a driver min inclement weather. The Montego is also fun to drive. It has very good acceleration and turns well. The best feature of the car is how comfortable it is to drive. It is a great car and I highly recommend it. User Reviews:
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