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:

• 

  crud - 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
  By sorbain - September 26 - 11:03 pm

  bought our 99 mountaineer about 3yrs ago had nothing but problems since within 6 months the number five injector started fouling repaired dont no how many times and it still fouled.every time time it goes for inspection it needs at least 400 dollars of repair.now just replaced upper ball joint and sway bar now the tire keeps wobbling. i hate this car want it gone thank god its the wifes.

• 

  2002, 4.6L V8 AWD model - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By av8r1x - September 19 - 11:52 am

  217,000 + miles and still going strong! original engine, original transmission. However, I get regular oil changes, change the air filter regularly, clean the engine once in a while, etc...my only complaints are 1) the engineers who designed this vehicle did not put a governor on the accelerator, and sometimes when you take your foot off and coast, the gears shift down with a "thunk," instead of gradually, but this doesnt do any harm to the tranny, and 2) i had problems early-on with the vent system in the rear (3rd row seats). it makes a clicking noise sometimes, like the fan motor isnt working.

• 

  Best one yet! - 2005 Mercury Mountaineer
  By pop123 - September 9 - 6:30 pm

  this 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Premier is the best vehicle i had yet. Love the color "Silver Birch" in PREMIER, love the V8, Premier touches, Factory Remote Starter, everything else.

• 

  So far so good - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Joehlers - September 5 - 2:00 am

  My last two cars were a Mercedez Benz E320 and an Audi A6, so obviously there is no comparison with the ride. However, I really like driving up higher, and the vehicle gives me a safer comfort level. This is a classy SUV at a reasonable price. And, Im sure I will appreciate the AWD in the winter.

• 

  great value - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By spartanfans - September 5 - 2:00 am

  shopped them all, felt this was best value-awd, dvd, 3 row seats.. we have the premiere edition and it offered the most features and still priced out at a strong value..4.6 v8 offers lots of

• 

  We like our Mountaineer - 2004 Mercury Mountaineer
  By JimmyD - August 25 - 5:06 pm

  We traded in a brand new 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee for our Merc. Hated the Jeeps ride and lack of room. The Jeep left us with a backache on every trip. Glad to get rid of it. Looked at several other SUVs, but they were either too expensive, not roomy enough, or just plain over rated. We really like the Mountaineer. It has tons of room, and the ride is fine (for an SUV). Took a 9 hour trip recently without a backache. Mileage is average for a vehicle this size. Like all the bells and whistles, and got a good deal with a lot more value for the money. Salesman at Manuel Lincoln Mercury was really a nice guy, and we were happy with their treatment. So far, we are very happy with the car

• 

  Mountaineer near you - 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Webseer - August 23 - 10:00 am

  There arent too many vehicles that can keep up if you accelerate in the 30mph to 70mph range. While this truck is very fast, with its grip on the road, the only way to get rubber is by taking a corner too fast. If you are stopped with the engine running and the accelerator seems to be stuck, it is probably that your foot is on the brake and the gas pedals at the same time. Due to the closeness of these two pedals, I have had this experience a few times. It can be pretty scary because the harder you push down on the brake, the more the truck tries to lurch. (Because your foot is also on the accelerator too). This aside, this is my favorite vehicle of all time.

• 

  Wonderful! - 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Oki - August 22 - 2:30 pm

  This was my first Ford-based anything, and this has been nothing short of amazing! It came with the 5.0 and AWD, and was completely loaded! It even got me through a nasty blizzard here in Colorado and through 2 feet of snow and never got stuck! Even with temps as low as -15, the truck started up with no problems

• 

  Great SUV - 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
  By J. Baird - August 11 - 2:00 am

  As Suvs go, this is a great one -- came to this from owning a jeep SUV. Our other car is an E class Mercedes, but we didnt like their SUV. The V-8 Mountaineer gives a smooth ride (for an SUV) with fine poweer when you need it. Great in deep snow. Interior is very comfortable and roomy. MPG could be improved with a more modern engine design, but the tradeoff is that this uses low grade (not super) fuel, so the cost per mile isnt that staggering.

• 

  pos mountineer - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By T. BENKE - August 6 - 10:00 am

  the trans has been almost fixed 11 times in a year and a half and is still messed up . it wount go into gear in a.m. and third gear, or fourth gear comes and goes as it pleases. very dissatisfied with drivetrain overall!!!!!!!