2010 Mercury Grand Marquis Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Though rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated, not to mention premature, the Mercury division of Ford Motors won’t significantly improve its position with offerings such as the long-dated 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis. Unchanged from 2009, the sizable, and undeniably roomy, six-passenger Grand Marquis entry-level luxury sedan has been far surpassed in every important way by the more modern Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, even by its Sable cousin. Still supported by a chassis that was dated in 1983, when it debuted, the 2010 Grand Marquis has been tweaked and prodded over the years into providing a softer – some would say too soft – ride, with at least a nod to proper handling. Rumor has it that, should Mercury remain viable, plans are afoot to mount the 2011 Grand Marquis on Ford’s DC2 platform.

Powered by a gluttonous 4.6-liter SOHC Flex Fuel V8, the 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis will put out 224 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, and is capable of burning E85 ethanol gasoline. The V8 FFV is harnessed to a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The EPA estimates 16/24 mpg for the ’09 Grand Marquis, with no reason to believe the 2010 version will perform any more efficiently.

Despite its faded design (which still has its admirers), the 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis offers abundant standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille, chrome door handles, tinted glass, leather upholstery and appointments, power windows and power, heated outside mirrors, tilt-wheel steering, remote keyless entry, automatic, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a single-CD player with four speakers. Options for the 2010 Grand Marquis include chrome wheels, heated front seats, a leather-and-wood steering wheel mounting audio and climate controls, and a 6-CD changer.

Long considered one of the safer automobiles on the road, the full-size 2010 Mercury Marquis offers such standard safety features as four-wheel ABS, front side-mounted airbags, fog/driving lights, a remote anti-theft alarm, and cornering headlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely gives the Grand Marquis five stars in frontal crash tests and four stars in side impact tests.

Owners of the 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis are nearly unanimous in complaining about its mileage and aging design. Boorish handling, the lack of standard heated seats, and no all-wheel drive option also draw the ire of owners. On the positive side, however, owners of the ’09 Grand Marquis are generous in their praise of its roomy cabin, comfortable seating, cavernous (20.6-cubic-foot) trunk, powerful engine, as well as the Grand Marquis’ safety, reliability, and value.