Mercury Mountaineer I 4.9 i V8 AWD (218 Hp)


Overall Rating

6.7 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.2 / 5
Value 3.5 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.8 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Mercury Mountaineer:

The Mercury Mountaineer is a mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle that was sold by Mercury from 1996 until 2010. The first Mercury SUV, the Mountaineer was a divisional counterpart of the Ford Explorer, marketed above it and between the Lincoln Aviator. Across its three generations, the Mountaineer was marketed exclusively as a 5-door wagon, with no counterpart to the 3-door Explorer Sport or the Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck.
For its entire production, the Mountaineer was assembled by Ford at its Louisville Assembly facility ; prior to 2007, additional production was sourced from St. Louis Assembly. After the 2010 model year, the Mountaineer was discontinued, becoming the second Mercury line to be discontinued before Mercury was withdrawn at the end of 2010....(Read more on Wikipedia)

I Overview:

Mercury Mountaineer (I). With 391 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1950 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is good (0–100 km/h in 8.3 s). The top speed reaches 177 km/h. A sport utility vehicle offering higher ground clearance and versatile cargo space. With seating for 7, it’s perfect for larger families.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Mercury Mountaineer I was primarily sold in the North American market and was not tested by Euro NCAP. Safety features for its era included dual front airbags and ABS, but it lacks modern structural rigidity and advanced driver-assistance systems.

4.9 i V8 AWD (218 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Provides significantly stronger acceleration and better low-end torque compared to the V6, making it more suitable for highway cruising, heavy towing, and hauling with greater ease.

Fuel Economy

As expected, the 4.9L V8 with AWD delivers lower fuel economy than the V6, a trade-off for its enhanced power and smoother operation.

Best Use Case: Highway travel, heavy towing, and drivers prioritizing robust power and refinement in all-weather conditions.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Spacious interior with available third-row seating
  • • Comfortable ride quality for its class
  • • Strong V8 engine option for towing and power
  • • Available AWD for all-weather capability

Cons:

  • • Below-average fuel economy across all engine options
  • • Dated interior design and materials by modern standards
  • • Some reliability concerns, particularly with transmissions and certain engine components
  • • Handling can feel ponderous due to its body-on-frame construction

Specifications:

General:
Brand:Mercury
Model:Mountaineer
Generation:I
Modification (Engine):4.9 i V8 AWD (218 Hp)
Start of production:1996
End of production:2001
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:SUV
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engine:
Power:218 Hp @ 4200 rpm.
Power per litre:44.1 Hp/l
Torque:391 Nm @ 3300 rpm.
Engine displacement:4942
Number of cylinders:8
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:OHC
Engine oil capacity:4.7 l
Coolant:14.9 l
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:101.6 mm mm
Piston Stroke:76.2 mm mm
Compression ratio:8.8:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:16.8 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:13.1 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:8.3 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:8.3 sec
Maximum speed:177 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:8.9 kg/Hp, 111.8 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:5 kg/Nm, 200.5 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:7.9 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1950
Max. weight:2510
Max load:560
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:2310 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:1205 l
Fuel tank capacity:79 l
Size:
Length:4790 mm mm
Width:1875 mm mm
Height:1830 mm mm
Wheelbase:2830 mm mm
Front track:1490 mm
Rear (Back) track:1490 mm
Powertrain:
Drive wheelAll wheel drive (4x4)
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesVentilated discs
Rear brakesDrum
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size235/75 R15
Front suspensionDouble wishbone
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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