New Car Review of the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Full Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Base MSRP Range: Starting at $29,795

Base Invoice Range: Not Available

MSRP As Tested: $41,990

Versions: Base, Premier

Vehicle Category: Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive.

Standard Engine: 2.0-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 12-valves, V-6, 210 - horsepower at 5100 rpm and 254 lb-ft torque at 3700 rpm.

Optional Engine: 3.2-liter, Single Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-8, 292 - horsepower at 5750 rpm and 300 lb-ft torque at 4750 rpm.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic overdrive, Five-speed automatic overdrive.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Not Available

Standard Safety Features: Personal Safety System™, Standard AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, Adaptive driver and passenger dual-stage front air bags, Driver- and front-passenger side impact air bags, Safety Canopy™, Belt pretensioners,

Competition: Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia.

Until now, it's been easy to compare the Mercury Mountaineer to its near-identical twin, the Ford Explorer.

Mercury's new 2006 Mountaineer, though, would make a better comparison with the bigger Lincoln Navigator.

The Mountaineer is still based on the same platform as the Explorer. It looks pretty much like the Explorer, has the same amount of space as the Explorer and is even assembled in the same factories as the Explorer -- Louisville, Ky. and St. Louis, Mo.

Despite the similarities, the Mountaineer feels like it's moved into a new class well above its blue-collar counterpart at Ford. It's like a Harvard Law School graduate who came from a family of plumbers.

There are lots of little reasons for the Mountaineer's sudden Lincoln-like qualities, but they all add up to an overall sense of refinement and sophistication. It's a great feeling that's often found in luxury imports from Japan and Europe but less so in products of recent vintage from Ford Motor Co. -- except for very expensive vehicles like the Navigator.

To bring the Mountaineer closer to the Navigator's level of style and comfort, Mercury created an all-new interior, added some gee-whiz options, tweaked the exterior styling and strengthened the chassis for a smoother, quieter ride. It's a huge improvement.

While the exterior is still nothing to brag about -- it's boxy and Explorer-esque with a few Mercury touches -- the interior is a work of art. Contrasting, two-tone seats and a stylish dash covered with soft-touch materials make it feel perfect for driving to an upscale shopping mall, not tacky or cheap in the slightest.

The door release handles are especially noteworthy because of their unique design. They're shaped to match the contour of a person's hand, making their unorthodox operation feel natural and fluid as you lift it up by rotating your wrist backward. That may sound awkward, but trust me. It's really cool.

On the downside, those same nifty door handles mean the door pull has to be several inches lower than you'd normally find it. That makes shutting the door a little more difficult when you're seated, especially for shorter people who need to raise the seat up high.

For buyers who can afford the gas and need the towing power, a new V8 engine is a fantastic choice. It offers 292 horsepower and, when mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, feels smooth as a kitten.

Other refinements include better steering, ride, handling and braking, including a stronger frame and all-new suspension in the rear.

In the luxury department, several new options move the Mountaineer closer to full-scale opulence. A DVD-based navigation system is available for the first time in a Mountaineer, and a rear-seat DVD player is a good feature for families.

A power deployable running board is another attention grabber, as it moves a metal step downward for convenience when you open the door. After you close the door, it neatly tucks away underneath the vehicle for a clean, uncluttered look.

The Mountaineer starts at $29,795 for a V6 model with an automatic transmission or $35,195 with a V8. That's about $2,000 more than the base Explorer but, perhaps more importantly, $20,000 less than the Navigator.

Pros: It looks and feels much more upscale than the blue-collar Ford Explorer, but it doesn't cost much more. Compared to a super-luxo ride like the Lincoln Navigator, it's a bargain.

Cons: The new Ford Explorer is a good alternative if you don't need all the bells and whistles of the Mountaineer. Also, a new door handle design makes the front doors harder to close from the front seats.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 9
• Price: 7
• Handling: 8
• Ride: 9
• Comfort: 8
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 8

More Data

Where Built: Germany, USA

Major Options: Quad seating ($490), power running boards ($695), premier nav/moon package ($2,845), adjustable pedals with memory ($225), 18-inch cast aluminum wheels ($295), rear-seat DVD player ($1,295).

Seating: 5 -7

Number of Rows: 2 - 3

Length in Inches: 193.5

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 12 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 4 years/50,000 miles Roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 4461 lbs - 4742 lbs.

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 1481 lbs - 1504 lbs.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: V-6: 5340 lbs - 7060 lbs., V-8: 5260 lbs - 6980 lbs.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 22.5

Destination Charge: $645