The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is a well-appointed mid-size semi-luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) that has room for up to seven passengers as well as plentiful cargo capacity. It is quite versatile, accommodating, with available leather-trimmed seats and innovative features such as optional PowerFold third-row seats, available Navigation System, available SYNC in-car voice-activated communications and entertainment system.

The Mercury Mountaineer shares its major components with the Ford Explorer but it can be differentiated with unique exterior styling, a more luxurious interior, and a more comprehensive choice of options. It is a body on frame SUV that offers a more truck-like ride in return for high towing and off-roading capabilities in contrast to the large numbers of car-based crossover SUV’s that are flooding the market today. This versatile SUV can be configured with seating for 5, 6, or 7 passengers.

Power and performance

The Mountaineer is available in two trim levels: Base and the upscale Premier.

A 4.0-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission rated at 210-hp and 254 lb ft of torque mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on both trims. A robust 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission is optional on the Premier. Standard Mountaineer models are equipped with rear-wheel drive, while All-Wheel Drive is optional on all models.

When the Mountaineer’s second- and third-row seats are folded down, a spacious 83.7 cubic feet of loadable cargo room is available. A Mountaineer can tow more than 7,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Body and styling

The Mountaineer enters into 2010 with only a minimum number of changes. The Premier trim now gets upgraded standard equipment including a power moonroof, heated front seats with driver memory, power adjustable pedals, auxiliary rear climate control, upgraded audio and a reverse sensing system.

The well equipped Mountaineer Base trim rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels with automatic headlamps, standard 5-passenger seating, a cloth interior, fog lamps, air conditioning, a CD player with MP3 capabilities and cruise control.

The Premier features automatic climate control, satellite radio, and a third-row seat. It also adds up market niceties as 7-passenger leather seating with alcantara trim, Ford’s new SYNC hands-free system, 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, and fixed running boards to aid ingress and egress.

A bevy of optional features including a premium Audiophile sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, a voice-activated Navigation System, enormous 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and a power moonroof are optional.

Safety features

The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is equipped with a number of safety features including dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction control, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), fog lamps, Lower Anchors and Tether anchors for CHildren (LATCH) and anti-lock disc brakes, and an Advancetrac stability control with a rollover prevention feature.