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.
Have had my Montego for almost 7 months & bought as certified pre-owned from dealer. This is a terrific car. I have AWD & am getting an avg of 22 MPG 60/40 highway & city. The CVT transmission and engine combination make for a good value with respect to gas consumption. The V-6 is a bit underpowered however. If it were 250-260 horses vs the 205 with the CVT tranny it would be perfect. (Nissan did this with the Murano- why cant you Ford?) Its adequate but you dont get the "jolt" when punching the gas.
The car is absolutly wonderful in the snow. Have had nothing but good to say about it. Caught the gravel once and the car pulled right out of it. Worst snow of the year and drove right through it, the all wheel drive is great! Plenty of room in the back for my teenage boys, more room in the car and trunk than in most of the SUVs on the market. Sits a little higher than other cars but lower than a truck. The only problem I have is reaching over the window sill at the bank and the ATMs. Going to sell the 2005 and buy a new one. I havent found another car on the market today that handles this well in the snow and rain, and the safety features are really comforting.
I have been driving the Montego for almost 4 weeks, and it has yet to disappoint. Although most automotive rags dissed the engine as too small (should be an "8") I have found that with the CVT (transmission), the car flows nicely in highway traffic, and couldnt be smoother in the city. No problems there! The only problem I have encountered to date is the "rain spotting"; for some reason, the windows do not release water droplets well, and it is necessary to squeegee them after a rainfall, especially the rear window (which could probably use a wiper). Overall safety impression is positive due to volvo platform and higher stance (to counter SUVs, etc.). I give an A+ overall.
I had several Mercury Grand Marquis
sedans that were fully loaded, and
wanted to try a change to this new
model, and it really is new/different...
Bought it with 14,000 already on the car. Chose it over Buick Le Sabre/Lucerne and similar Oldsmobile. It has higher seats was easier to get in and out of. Gas mileage seems poor, I never push it hard and never exceed speed limits, but on a trip of 60mph all day I get at best 24mpg. Most driving is in town, so mileage is usually 19mpg. Ride is excellent, visibility is good, Im very happy I bought it.
This is a great new american product from Ford Motor. I have only owned Ford products for the past 20+ years. This is the very best I have ever driven. I cant imagine why anyone would ever buy an import now.
A good-looking, enjoyable car to drive. Receives many compliments from passengers. Handles very well. All the right gadgets. Plenty of back seat room for tall adults. Very roomy trunk. Great all-around visibility for driver. Avg fuel: 20/28 Highway. Excellent sound system and dash controls. Engine very adequate for all but racers. Great Pirelli tires. I would easily buy another of these wonderful cars. Since 2008 re-badged as Sable and even better with larger engine.
I normally dont buy new cars, but this one had every feature I wanted. I want to say something about a previous review. There are two electrical outlets in the front (not one). One is in the typical place and the other one is somewhat hidden in the front center console, apparently for charging a cell phone. This is my first Mercury and I couldnt be happier.
My last 3 cars were made by Toyota and all have been very reliable. Now as we are getting older, I wanted my creature comforts and better, fuller seats. Cant say enough about the car because it is awesome. Even better than an older Caddy that we once owned. On our first trip, I tried to keep the RPM just under 2000, speed 65MPH which achieved 29.6 mpg..
It wont snap your neck from the take- off, but then I dont need to get to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds...The reviews citing this as a severely underpowered car are way over the top. It is a well- designed and straight-forward car that evokes the qualities that Ford made famous in the 30s through the 60s. Great value for the money and everyone who has seen my merlot Premium is impresssed. I am looking forward to a long road trip. User Reviews:
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