2009 Mercury Milan I4 Premier

If shifting isn’t your thing, but you still want the efficiency of a four-cylinder engine, go for the 2009 Mercury Milan I4 Premier. Trading its manual transmission for an automatic, but strangely not utilizing the six-speed auto that the V6 gets, this trim has a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder, with a five-speed automatic transmission. Many other upgrades come at this trim level, however. Wheels increase to 17-inch alloys, foglights can now be found in the front fascia, as well as automatic headlights, and leather upholstery graces the seats. Leather also wraps the tilt and telescoping steering wheel, which houses controls for the cruise and the 6-CD changer, which comes with MP3 playback, satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and an iPod adaptor. Air conditioning is upgraded to automatic climate control here, and along with a compass, the driver enjoys a 6-way power bucket with lumbar adjustment, a tachometer, and illuminated visor mirrors, although it’s recommended one isn’t driving when enjoying that last feature.

Aluminum trim is sprinkled throughout the interior, and an automatic rearview mirror is standard. Power features include windows, doors, heated power mirrors, and remote keyless and keypad entry. A rear defogger keeps the back glass clear, while variable-intermittent front wipers will keep the rain off your windscreen, and floormats will keep it from spoiling your carpet.

Safety features for the I4 Premier include dual front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, a tire pressure monitor, emergency inside trunklid release, and a theft deterrent system.

By Michael Perkins