2006 Mercury Mountaineer Trims and Specs

With new front and rear ends and a restylized interior, the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience offers a luxurious SUV ride. A fully independent and short and long arm front and rear suspension works alongside standard traction and stability control, a tire monitor, new larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, and 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes for better road handling. Engine power comes from a standard 4.0-liter, 210-hp V6 and 5-speed auto tran or an optional 4.3-liter V8, upgraded to 292-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Other standard features on the Convenience include a tire monitor, foglights, automatic headlights, and dual front airbags. Side impact and curtain airbags, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and parking sensors are extra.

The 2006 Mountaineer Convenience comes standard with two rows of seats, an an optional power-folding third row can be added. Full power features, a power front seat, cruise control, CD player, security system, tilt steering wheel, intermittent front and rear wipers, and a front power outlet are some of the standard convenience features. The cargo area has tie-downs and hooks, and a roof rack and trailer hitch are also standard, to tow up to 5300 pounds. A cargo net and cover are optional. The rear window opens independently of the liftgate. Options add a power passenger seat, power pedals, sunroof, satellite radio, and new power-retractable running boards. Drivers love the smooth and quiet ride and all the standard features, including the new running board option. An underpowered V6 and sluggish acceleration still disappoint.

There's no beating around the bush with the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Luxury, a rear-wheel drive, mid-sized SUV with three rows of seats and lots of standard comfort features. Along with interior and exterior redesigns, there is a new short and long arm front and rear suspension and fully independent suspension and more sound insulation for a quieter ride. Larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires grip the road, and 5-star safety features include foglights, automatic headlights, a tire monitor, traction and stability control, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, and dual front airbags. The Luxury also adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Options include side impact and curtain bags, 18-inch wheels, and parking sensors.

The 4.0-liter, 210-hp V6 and 5-speed auto tran remain standard, and the optional 4.3-liter V8 gets a boost to 292-hp and a new 6-speed automatic. To the power features, cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, power driver's seat, and leather trim in the Convenience, the Luxury adds a standard third row with a power-fold option, a 6-CD changer, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, sport seats, and wheel-mounted audio controls. A roof rack, trailer hitch, and expandable cargo area with tie-downs and hooks carry over 81 cubic feet of cargo. New power-retractable running boards are standard on the 2006 Mountaineer Luxury. More options are available, such as heated front seats, navigation system, DVD player, and rear climate control. These join a sunroof, satellite radio, power pedals, and a power passenger seat.

Automatic all-wheel drive with a limited slip center differential helps move the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience AWD in tough weather conditions. Standard engine is a 4.0-liter, 210-hp V6 that's been revised to give out less emissions with a 5-speed auto tran. Optional is a more powerful 292-hp, 4.3-liter V8 and new 6-speed automatic. A front and rear stabilizer, beefed up brakes, larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires (18-inch optional), and a fully independent suspension give a car-like feel behind the wheel. 4-wheel ABS and disc brakes, traction and stability control with Roll Stability Control, a tire monitor, automatic headlights, foglights, and dual front airbags are all standard. Side curtain and impact bags, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and parking sensors are available.

Interior ergonomics have been improved, except for a hard to reach door handle. Second row seats split 60/40, fold flat, and recline, and an optional third row with a power-fold feature is available on the 2006 Mountaineer Convenience AWD. Cargo options include a trunk that expands to 81 cubic feet, roof rails, and a trailer hitch. Though the base model, the mid-sized SUV includes leather seats, a power driver's seat, cruise control, a CD player, trip computer, security system, full power features, leather trim, intermittent front and rear wipers, a tilt steering wheel, and front power outlet. Options add a power passenger seat, heated front seats, power-retractable running boards, power-adjustable pedals, a sunroof, and satellite radio.

The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier comes standard with the revamped 4.3-liter V8, now with three valves and boasting 292-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. It is matched to a new 6-speed automatic, and the 15/19 mpg is supposedly 10% better than last year. The new V8 now can tow over 7200 pounds with the standard trailer hitch. The 2006 Mountaineer Premier adds more safety features to the rear-wheel drive mid-sized SUV that seats seven in three rows. Side curtain and impact bags and parking sensors join the list of dual front airbags with passenger deactivation, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, a tire monitor, automatic headlights, foglights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires can be replaced with 18-inch chrome wheels.

A roof rack, trailer hitch, and cargo tie-downs and hooks are all standard, while a cargo net and cover can be added. The Premier upgrades from the Luxury with heated front seats, a power passenger seat, memory settings, and leather/suede upholstery. The power-folding third row is standard, and both rear rows can recline. With all rows folded down, the 13 cubic foot cargo area expands to 81 cubic feet. Other Premier conveniences include wheel-mounted cruise, audio, and climate controls, rear audio and climate control, a CD changer, intermittent front and rear wipers, temperature and compass display, leather and satin aluminum trim, retractable running boards, a front power outlet, and heated mirrors. What's left for options? A new navigation system, DVD player, satellite radio, standard leather seats, a sunroof, and power-adjustable pedals. Owners definitely like the comfort and long list of standard features in the 2006 Mountaineer Premier and are impressed with the V8, but wish the fuel economy was better.

Automatic all-wheel drive with a limited slip center differential sets the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Luxury AWD apart from its rear-wheel drive sibling. The AWD performs well in tough weather, though isn't meant for off-roading. The extra weight reduces towing capacity to 5200 pounds. It can be combined with either a 210-hp, 4.0-liter V6 with 254 lb-ft of torque or a 4.3-liter V8 with upgraded 292-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The V6 comes with a 5-speed auto tran and the V8 with a 6-speed auto tran. The mid-sized SUV seats seven in three rows and rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires, with an option for 18-inch chrome wheels. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction control, AdvanceTrac stability control, a tire monitor, automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, foglights, and dual front airbags are standard. Parking sensors and side impact and curtain airbags are optional.

The 2005 Mountaineer Luxury AWD is more about passenger comfort, with reclining second and third rows and a power-fold flat option that expands the cargo space to 81 cubic feet. Two-tone leather seats, a power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, full power features, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a CD changer, front power outlet, intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, and security system are all standard. A roof rack and trailer hitch provide more hauling capability, and the rear window opens separately from the new liftgate for access versatility. Power-retractable running boards are a new feature this year. The second row now splits 60/40 instead of 40/20/40. Luxury options include a DVD player, new navigation system, heated front seats, a power passenger seat and power pedals, satellite radio, and second row bucket seats. Drivers don't like the reduced cargo area with three rows of seats, some engine noise, and the 14/18 mpg, but they love the roominess, easy handling, and style.

Though lacking low-range gearing for off-roading capability, the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier AWD does handle rough weather conditions, all while bathing passengers in convenience and luxury. Seating seven in three rows, where both second and third row fold flat and recline (a power-fold option is new for the third row), the all-wheel drive SUV comes standard with a 4.6-liter, 292-hp V8 that hits 300 lb-ft of torque with a new 6-speed auto tran. The AWD comes with a limited slip center differential, new front and rear independent suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires (18-inch available), parking sensors, traction and AdvanceTrac stability control, tire monitor, automatic headlights, foglights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, and dual front, side, and side curtain airbags. That means five stars in crash tests.

These are safety features passengers are unaware of while they focus on the luxury equipment, such as power front seats, leather/suede upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and mirrors, rear climate control, wheel-mounted cruise and audio control for the CD changer, memory settings for controls and seats, a compass and temperature display, intermittent front and rear wipers, and a security system. There are lots of storage compartments, a front power outlet, and standard roof rack and trailer hitch. The 2006 Mountaineer Premier AWD tows around 7000 pounds, and the cargo bay holds up to 85 cubic feet. Tie-downs are included, and a cargo cover is available. Other options are a sunroof, power pedals, a new navigation system, DVD player, and satellite radio. Drivers love the V8 and the interior space and cargo capacity, but hate the new door handle that is too low to reach comfortably.