2010 Mercury Mountaineer Overview

2010 Mercury Mountaineer Overview

Perhaps because the future of the Mercury brand is uncertain, the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer midsize SUV remains unchanged from ’09, when it underwent a marginal upgrade in styling, options, and standard safety offerings. Essentially a refined, somewhat luxurious version of the Ford Explorer, the 2010 Mountaineer offers a somewhat cushier ride and a substantial addition of standard creature comforts. Additionally, a bit more flow in its exterior lines adds a dash of panache to the Mountaineer’s profile.

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is offered in two trims, the Base and Premier, each available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), which is admirable for wintry weather and mud, but emphatically not intended for off-road driving. The base 2010 Mountaineer is a five-passenger, five-door midsize SUV offering a boatload of standard features, while the Premier trim adds standard, fold-flat third-row seating and the option of a V8 engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission. Both trims offer some 86 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

Equipped with the standard 4.0-liter SOHC V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is capable of 210 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque, good for towing up to 5,305 pounds when properly equipped. The EPA estimates 14/20 mpg for the 4.0-liter V6. The 2010 Mountaineer Premier trim also offers an optional 4.6-liter 3V (per cylinder) V8, with an accompanying six-speed automatic that puts out 292 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, good for towing up to 7,220 pounds of trailer when equipped properly. Curiously, the 4.6-liter V8 gets better mileage than the V6 at 15/21.

Standard appearance, comfort and convenience features for the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer Base trim include 17-inch alloy wheels, a Class II trailer hitch and wiring, a roof rack, bucket front seats, split-folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a leather-trimmed center console, power everything, including a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, cruise with steering-wheel-mounted controls, and a single-CD player with 80 watts of power and four speakers. Options for the 2010 Mountaineer base trim include third-row seats, heated front seats, a six-way power adjustable passenger seat, satellite radio, Ford’s SYNC hands-free audio and communications system, and a power moonroof.

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer Premier trim adds 18-inch wheels, standard third-row seats, SYNC, dual-zone climate control, satellite radio, and leather upholstery, with options that include, besides the 4.6-liter V8, a DVD-based, voice-activated navigation system, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system featuring a pull-down 8-inch screen.

Safety features offered with the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer include four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, front side-mounted airbags, newly-standard front and rear side curtain airbags, rear parking sensors, and a post-collision safety system.

Owners of the ’09 Mercury Mountaineer cite a somewhat noisy cabin and lackluster mileage figures as downsides, while praising ride comfort, handling, and the elegant styling features of the Mercury Mountaineer.