More to climb before Mountaineer reaches the top

As is the case with almost all Mercurys, the Mountaineer is a restyled and upgraded version of a Ford model, in this instance the Explorer. Because both models are virtually identical in terms of size, drivetrain, equipment and features choosing one over the other is basically preference of exterior styling, although Mountaineer gussies up the all-new interior over the Explorer.

For 2006 both vehicles get a freshening up (Explorer more so), however both vehicles fall short of a full redesign.

Although somewhat bolder, Mountaineer maintains the signature waterfall grille with a new satin-aluminum finish, square-ish headlamps that roll back onto the fenders and a large contoured front fascia that repeats the satin-aluminum finish. Side cladding is new for ’06 as are the tailgate and silver-clear taillamps with an odd-looking faux brush-guard bar look you might find hanging on a rack in the automotive department at Wal-Mart. The satin-aluminum treatment is repeated on the back bumper and the power-retractable running boards.

I thought the inside looked pretty sharp but had to wonder about the combination of ivory colored suede seat inserts and black leather trim in my tester. There were just over 1300 miles on the odometer, but the seats were already showing dirty smudges from grease, food or drinks. Not a good idea, especially if transporting kids or using car and booster seats.

While I’m griping, I didn’t much care for the pull to close the door because of the hard to reach location under the armrest.

Configurations provide seating for up to seven. There’s not much cargo room with the third-row seat up, but I liked the power-folding feature that renders a flat floor and a dramatic increase in cargo capacity. Legroom is at a premium for passengers in the second and third rows.

I liked the look of the center stack, air vents, instrument cluster, console, steering wheel and door handles, trimmed in the same satin-aluminum finish as the exterior. Rear headrests are large and block rearward vision.

For 2006, the Mountaineer is available in three trim levels: Convenience, Luxury and Premier. Convenience is available with only the 4.0-liter 210 horsepower engine. Luxury comes standard with a V-6, with a new 4.6-liter 292-horsepower V-8 optional. Premier is offered only with the 292-horsepower V-8. All trim levels offer a choice of 4x2 or AWD. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on V-6 models, with the smooth shifting six-speed automatic standard with the V-8. These are the same driveline options available on the Explorer.

I noticed a markedly quiet interior during my weeklong test, even at highway speeds. Handling is excellent with a composed and predictable feel, stable on the highway and when cornering at higher speeds. A new roll stability control system, made standard last year, is the same system derived from what Ford first used in the Volvo XC90. This is seemingly a response to the negative publicity Ford Explorer received because of its rollover problems and Firestone-tire recall. However, Mountaineers weren’t equipped with Firestones and therefore didn’t suffer the rollover problems.

Other safety features include seat-mounted side airbags and canopy side-curtain airbags for first and second row passengers, standard on the Premier, optional on other models. I think it’s a serious mistake that Ford and Mercury didn’t add protection for third row occupants, especially since kids usually ride back there.

Neither the 2006 Mountaineer or Explorer have been crash tested, however they are likely to score well, given the additional safety features on both models.

Mercury offers numerous options to further dress up the Mountaineer. My tester came with the optional navigation/moonroof package ($2845), adjustable pedals ($225), larger 18-inch cast aluminum wheels ($295), trailer-towing package ($150), satin aluminum roof rails ($60), and rear seat DVD entertainment system ($1295).

There’s a long list of optional equipment available for all trim levels, including rear climate control, power folding running boards, heated seats, power moonroof, power folding third-row seat and a middle row bucket seat option.

Given the price of gasoline and the poor mileage for SUVs, sales of the Mountaineer, as well as other SUVs, have been down significantly. Mercury is on track to sell about 35,000 Mountaineers for 2005. That’s down from 47,000 the previous year. But Mountaineer is a niche player in the truck market compared to the Ford Explorer, whose sales topped 350,000 units last year.

If you’re driving a 2005 or earlier Mountaineer model, you’ll notice an immediate and significant improvement for 2006. But with our tester at just a couple hundred dollars below $40,000 and a starting price of $36,145, it doesn’t come cheap. Especially when you consider that BMW X5 costs $42,500 and the Volvo XC90 starts at $35,640, vehicles I prefer over the Explorer and Mountaineer.