2009 Mercury Mountaineer

Until Ford discontinued the brand in 2011, Mercury sat in the middle of the company’s lineup—fancier than Ford but not as luxurious as Lincoln. The brand had its heyday from the 1950s through the 1980s, with cars like the Cougar, Monterey, Montclair, and Turnpike Cruiser still commonplace at classic car shows. Nearly all recent Mercury models were based on Ford counterparts. The Mercury Milan was a gussied-up Ford Fusion and the Mercury Grand Marquis was a more comfortable take on the Ford Crown Victoria. Since the brand has been gone for many years, most Mercury vehicles will lack modern convenience and safety features, and used examples will likely have high mileage.

Mountaineer's 2006 freshening updated interior and exterior styling, but also introduced some minor interior control frustrations. Ride and handling are acceptable, but the vehicle has a stiffer ride and less agility than higher-rated competitors. When compared to its less expensive Ford Explorer relative, the three-row interior is versatile, but few details rationalize its more expensive price.