2008 Mercury Mountaineer: Rugged, refined, robust SUV

Completely redesigned in 2006, the Mercury Mountaineer SUV continues to offer consumers a rugged and refined sport-ute. As the mechanical sibling of the popular Ford Explorer SUV, the Mercury Mountaineer is offered in Sport or Premier trim levels and available in rear- or four-wheel drive configurations. Power for the upscale Mercury SUV is generated by an improved 4.0L V-6 engine bolted to the automaker's five-speed automatic transmission or an optional three-valve 4.6L V-8 prime mover attached to a six-speed automatic transmission.

For 2008, Mountaineer comes to market with a capless fuel filling system. This technology not only eliminates the inconvenience of forgetting to put the gas cap back on after fueling, it also saves time during refueling by doing away with unscrewing and replacing a fuel filler cap.

Also new this year are these features: 20-inch wheels (late availability), Mercury Sync hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system, and several new equipment packages including Mountaineer Chrome Package, Navigation & Moon Package, Tune Elite and Comfort Package. Mountaineer's navigation system also now offers voice-activation capability.

On the road, the Mountaineer, equipped with the optional V-8 prime mover, is smooth and sure. Comfortable, practical and very maneuverable, the Mountaineer is a rolling example of efficient functionality.

Mountaineer's impressive package starts with its robust body-on-frame construction. The Mercury SUV utilizes the Ford F-150's tube-through-tube frame design, where the cross-members pass through the section of the frame-rails, creating an inherently stronger joint. These joints are then completely welded around the perimeter for a fully boxed seam. The stiffer frame provides a smooth ride with good road feel, crisp handling and precise steering response.

Inside the cabin, Mercury engineers fought to eliminate unwanted noise with a vengeance. As a result, the Mercury SUV's third row is just as quiet as some competitors' front row at highway speeds. The upscale interior features the use of advanced materials that dampen vibrations and lessen noise. Insulation materials used along the headliner, door panels and floor of the passenger compartment help provide class-leading interior quietness.

Cabin seating and sophisticated interior configurations provide more comfort, enhanced safety and more possibilities when the need for carrying both people and cargo arise.

The instrument panel is a study in modern capabilities. Crisp, clean and functional, all the gauges are easy to read; all the switchgear, simple to operate. The driver's side door controls come in for special mention. The placement of the power window and mirror switches, door-release handle and door pull is the best combination of convenience and function in any vehicle ever reviewed to date.

The Mountaineer provides a virtually flat floor when the seats are folded-increasing cargo capacity.

The midsize SUV still features its separate window and hatch rear access capabilities, allowing easy access to small items in the rear cargo area without having to open the rear hatch.

EPA fuel economy: City: 14, Highway: 20

Base MSRP: $26,050