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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  Member of the Family - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By 4010diesel - January 29 - 9:54 pm

  We have had our Mountaineer since the middle of 2008. We could not be more satisfied. I have utilized every feature and function of this vehicle. Including the roof rack, Class II hitch, AWD, cargo area, child seating, etc., etc. We have 3 children all of which are able to fit in the second row, leaving the rear cargo area available. The stereo is strong, the power is sufficient, the gas mileage is fair for an SUV, it easily tows my boat, powers thru 12" of snow, is smooth on the highway, and is a joy to drive. Although our V-6 is far from a performance engine I find that is provides all the pep I need and is relatively quiet considering the size of the vehicle.

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  New Purchase Observations - 2007 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Ray - January 27 - 5:16 am

  Weve had the Mountaineer a little over a week now and we are very happy with our purchase. I got all the features I wanted: luxury with towing power, but not a huge SUV that is unweildy to handle in city traffic and a problem parking. I particularly liked all the luxury features being "standard" on the Mercury vs. optional equipment on the Ford Explorer. I think I got a great value for the price.

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  Great ride - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By C.Brooks - January 27 - 12:10 am

  Was a little skeptical of anything Mercury, but this car really caught my eye. It has the V-6 which is fine for my family needs, but still has a lot of power. This is a beautiful SUV for sure, was a little put off by the low resale value, but look at it this way, I didnt want a car payment, and to buy a Tahoe with twice the mileage it would have cost the same. Everything works great so far, and I can say this, having owned two S-10 Blazers, a Dodge Grand Caravan, and a Ford Windstar, the Ford products have been better rides, the electrical has certainly held up better, and the cars have seemed all-around sturdier.

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  Awesome Mountaineer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jberezo - January 24 - 10:00 am

  It definitely has a few more options than the Explorer, like an underseat storage area in the second row. So when Ford announced a 2250 cash back rebate, my wife and I went looking. She likes the styling much better, I guess Ford would like that, it was suppose to be designed for women. There were WAY more Mountaineers around than fancy Explorers too, which helped us get exactly what wanted. We got the Premier Edition, which has dual exhaust, satin nickel luggage rack, 17" wheels and tires. She calls me several times a day to tell me how much she loves it. She did NOT want an SUV. She is so surprised at how much she likes it.

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  Nice Ride - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By ChipDale - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Very nice to drive, alot of power when you need it. Good on gas when everyday driving.

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  I love my car! - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Momtoncc - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this SUV! The extras in my model are awesome. I love the moon roof, the 6 CD changer, the heated seat. I would reccommend this car to anyone and especially anyone with kids. I have 3 kids and this car is perfect!

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  buy a Mercury - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By truckcrazychuck - January 15 - 10:00 am

  My family and I bought the Mountaineer not to long ago and we have fallen in love with it. It has 3 rows of seating and gets good gas mileage for an SUV. It also handles like a car.This is probaly the best vehicle I have ever own or driven my only regret is that I didnt get a V8. My wife and I traded in an 99 Explorer that I was partial to, but we havent regretted getting rid of it.

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  my mercury mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By mswsdad - January 15 - 10:00 am

  In general I like the vehicle a lot..it has a few little problems, but seems to be working themselves out.

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  A Great Ride. - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Tony G - January 13 - 7:10 am

  I have been very pleased with the ride, handling and performance of my Mountaineer, for an SUV. Fuel economy is great for the class of SUV it is in. I routinely get 19-21 MPG highway. My only gripe at all was with the design of the rear storage compartment. It should be able to go flat and not be on a slant. Aside from that minor beef it has given me 36K miles of outstanding service.

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  Big and Quick - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By SprepnS601 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I have now had this for 8 months and I truly love this vehicle. There is two and only two cons about this choice, in the V8 fuel economy, and second, not the easiest thing to parallel park, without the backup sensors. Other than that it has an excellent value and features for the money, and a great resale value as of now.