2008 Mercury Mountaineer [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 26 Mountaineer reviews and test drives.
Mercury Mountaineer - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer ranks 21 out of 26 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 26 published reviews and test drives of the Mercury Mountaineer, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer is a comfortable SUV with great safety features. But lower-than-average fuel economy and a sluggish base engine lead to a ranking in the bottom half of its class.
Based on the same platform as the Ford Explorer, our analysis shows the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer is a competent and comfortable SUV. Car and Driver describes the Mountaineer as "wholly capable, decently built, and even nice to look at in a boxy, American kind of way." However, they also point out that "there's already a vehicle that drives like and looks like and is almost in every way exactly like the Mountaineer called the Ford Explorer."
The 2008 Mountaineer, largely a carryover from 2007, is available in three trims: the base model with a V6 engine, and the Premier trims, which features V6 or V8 engines.
- "[T]he new and improved Mountaineer still has enough flaws to rank it, at least in my eyes, no better than middle-of-the-road." -- Detroit News
- "That said, the Mountaineer has a bit of elegance, some neat tech toys, can seat seven in comfort and can tow more than 7,000 pounds when properly equipped." -- San Jose Mercury News
Mountaineer Performance - 7.0 (Good)
The Mountaineer gets a good score for performance, but in a highly competitive class, that doesn't translate to a high performance ranking. Car and Driver says the Mountaineer can "go, corner and stop well enough, but excitement is absent." Some test drivers also have concerns about the Mountaineers spongy brake pedal and sluggish engines. Continue with our full Performance Review to learn whether or not you should spring for the optional V8 engine. continue
Mountaineer Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)
The Mountaineer's design, which is conspicuously similar to its Ford Explorer sibling, doesn't get high marks for originality and ranks in the bottom half of its class. Car and Driver says the Mountaineer is "nice to look at in a boxy, 'Merican kind of way." Continue with our full Exterior Review to learn about the SUV's unique power-integrated running boards, or check out our Mercury Mountaineer Photo Gallery to see it for yourself. continue
Mountaineer Interior - 7.4 (Good)
As AutoWeek says, the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer's interior "is highly stylized, and as a result might not be to everyone's liking." The cabin gets a good score for being comfortable and well-appointed, but it still ultimately ranks in the bottom half of its class. Though reviewers find the front row spacious, opinions are mixed on second- and third-row comfort. Continue with our Interior Review to learn about optional features such as a rear-seat DVD player and navigation system, or check out our Mercury Mountaineer interior photos. continue
Mountaineer Safety - 8.2 (Very Good)
The Mountaineer earned a top score of five stars out of five for both front and side crash tests from the government, as well as a top rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal offset crash tests and a second highest possible rating in side impact crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review to learn about the Mountaineer's safety features, including an optional heated windshield for better visibility. continue
Mountaineer Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mercury offers a limited warranty that is good for the first three years or 36,000 miles. Continue with our full Reliability Review. continue
