Overview & Reviews

The Mercury Mountaineer should be a respectable choice for a used midsize SUV. At its debut, it offered good space for medium-size families, decent handling, tolerable ride quality and at least some semblance of off-road capability. These qualities held steady through two generations.

Although the Mountaineer was mechanically identical to the Ford Explorer and shared its chassis and most sheet metal, Mercury attempted to differentiate it over the years by specifying more standard amenities, softer suspension tuning and all-wheel drive instead of traditional four-wheel drive. For years, those virtues placed the Mercury Mountaineer in the upper ranks of midsize SUVs. This was especially true after its 2002 redesign, which brought about a vast improvement in both ride and handling.

Despite that, the Mountaineer was outclassed in more recent years by newer crossover SUVs such as the Acura MDX and Buick Enclave. These vehicles typically offer better on-road handling and roomier interiors to boot. They don't have as much towing capacity as the Mercury, though, so the Mountaineer still deserves consideration for those used SUV shoppers with more demanding needs.

Most Recent Mercury Mountaineer
Sold from 2002-'10, the second-generation Mountaineer was greatly refined in terms of luxury and performance. A wider stance and an independent rear suspension improved both handling and ride, while a new 4.6-liter V8 provided ample power with smoother operation. The cabin offered a few new perks as well, such as optional power-adjustable pedals and a third-row seat.

Buyers could choose between a 210-horsepower V6 or the new V8. The V8 versions sold through '05 made 240 hp and came with a five-speed automatic. We would recommend a 2006 or later version, as that year the V8 got a power boost to 292 hp along with a six-speed automatic, improving both performance and, to a lesser degree, fuel economy. The Mountaineer's safety quotient rose in 2004 when Mercury added stability control as an option, and again the following year when it was made standard and packaged with Roll Stability Control. Standard side curtain airbags completed the picture for 2006 -- in previous years, they were optional so it's a good idea to make sure an individual Mountaineer has them. Microsoft's Sync system was added to the options list in mid-2008 and became standard on the Premier for 2009. The following year would be the Mountaineer's last, as the Mercury brand would be phased out during 2011.

This Mountaineer was available in five- and seven-passenger versions and with a choice of either rear-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The trim levels were typically topped by the Premier, which provided leather upholstery, heated seats, rear parking sensors and the Sync voice-activated multimedia integration system. Main options included a rear entertainment system and a navigation system. One could also opt for second-row captain's chairs, which dropped passenger capacity to six.

In reviews, we found that the Mountaineer had a smooth and composed ride and respectable handling, due in no small part to the SUV's independent rear suspension. The latter was an important upgrade from the first model's live rear axle. This Mercury also has strengths as a people hauler, partly thanks to its fold-flat third-row seat that ranked among the roomiest of traditional midsize SUVs. Downsides include weak acceleration with the V6 engine and a dated dashboard design.

Past Mercury Mountaineer Models
The first-generation Mountaineer debuted for 1997 as the uptown cousin to the then-second generation Ford Explorer. The Mountaineer was initially unique for only coming with Ford's 4.9-liter pushrod V8, the famous "5.0" Mustang motor whose gas-guzzling habits were downright offensive. Things improved the following year when Mercury received the better of the Explorer's two V6s -- a 210-hp 4.0-liter -- as its standard engine. Initially, buyers had a choice between 2WD and AWD, but in '98, Mercury added a third option, a dual-range 4WD system.

The Mercury Mountaineer's trucklike suspension gave it a bouncy ride typical of the era, and although acceleration was adequate, neither engine was especially powerful or refined. Also, the Ford Explorer-Firestone controversy regarding tire tread separation and increased rollover risk applied equally to the Mountaineer. In the highly unlikely event you encounter a first-gen Mountaineer still wearing its original Firestone tires, you'll want to upgrade to better rubber immediately. The notable changes through this generation's run include the availability of automatic rear load leveling suspension and rear park assist for 1999, and a child seat tether/anchor system for 2001.

In its favor, the original Mercury Mountaineer's seating comfort and cargo room were always competitive, and its repair record stands above GM's or Jeep's entries. Overall, we'd say that if your budget limits you to a midsize SUV from the late '90s, the Mercury Mountaineer is a decent choice.

User Reviews:

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  great truck - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By aficionado - July 4 - 2:00 am

  great design, functional interior, nice options, great power, good stereo, nice 17s and great grip from the tires, feels well built, overall would recomend this over explorer and any other suv in the price range

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  Step Up - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jose Romero - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Vastly improved Suv. Traded 01 Mounttaineer. Independant suspension,smother acceleration, all the way thourgh the band, more horsepower, roomier, great towing capacity, I could go on & on. Mercury really did it right. Well thought out with great safety features. Bang for buck, Big Bang!

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  cold feet - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By C - June 10 - 3:16 pm

  the only bad feature that I have found is that the air conditioning vents on the front floor do not turn off even though the controls indicate that they do. I asked the dealer about this and they told me that they contacted Ford and that this is normal. That there is no way to turn off the air comming out of the bottom vents. This is a problem for women that are wearing shorts with sandles on. It is to cold on their feet.

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  Nice vehicle for the money - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Brooks Gardner - June 8 - 8:50 pm

  My wife and I love our 2002 Mountaineer. We also have a 1998 that is still in excellent condition. V8 in both with most extras on both. The 2002 has everything you would ever want. 2002 has great power and very smooth and quite ride. I only get to drive it when my wife is off work that day.

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  my review - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Alex - May 16 - 1:16 am

  i like it. it runs good and had plenty of room. folding 3rd row seat is great. fuel mileage isnt the best in town.

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  runs long, dies HARD - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By drivenitall80 - May 2 - 5:14 am

  It was a pretty good truck. bought it for my girl when her taurus died, had around 80,000 when we got it, we drove it hard, off roading, 90 down the highway, it lived through everything, we got an 08 explorer xlt to replace it cause it had 254000 and was falling apart BIG TIME. i dont know what was worse, the engine ticking, whining aslound as it could, leaking different fliuds, stalling, not starting. it totally startedto fall apart, wegave it to my daughter when she got her license, she drove it for about 2 weeks and the engine took a s****.

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  enjoyable ride - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By russell - April 25 - 12:50 am

  The ride is very comfortable. Steering is a dream to handle. All of the controls are placed for a safe drive without taking your eyes off the road.

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  Great Suv - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Danielle - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my mountaineer about 3 years and I love it. I am currently looking at buying a newer model. The only problem Ive had in 3 years (aside of the tire recalls) is the check engine light goes on all the time for no reason.

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  636K on 2 - 2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  By mount4ever - February 17 - 11:32 pm

  Purchased my first 97 5.0L AWD off the floor. Had no idea how great it was to be. Drove it daily mostly hwy until I donated with 334K. Only major issue ever was a transfer case at about 200K. Normal wear and tear like rotars, pads and a couple alternaters. Changed the oil every 6 or 7K! Found a second 2001 model with 50K in 2005. Still using it as daily with 304K! Ford fixed the transfer case problem after 1998 so no issues at all with this one. Rotars, front barings one alternator and thats it. Better half got tired of looking at it so today I went out to look at F150s. Came across a 2000 model Mountaineer with 102K like new. Pick it up from the dealer in 2 days. BEST in snow and towing 2.

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  good vehicle - 2006 Mercury Mountaineer
  By jkaiser - February 15 - 7:56 am

  car is excellent to drive but should have more room in the second row. i wish the seats were more supportive due to my post polio