Best Mercury Grand Marquis

Best Mercury Grand Marquis

Best Mercury Grand Marquis

Best Mercury Grand Marquis

Best Mercury Grand Marquis

New Mercury Mountaineer

Fuel economy is up as well. The new powertrain offers a notable increase in the SUV's miles-per-gallon score of 20 on the highway — up 10 percent over last year's model.

Unfortunately, the good vibes on the open road don't translate to the test track. Although straight-line power is respectable for an SUV with a 0-to-60-mph time of 8.3 seconds, the last Acura MDX we tested sprinted to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. The Mountaineer's 56.9-mph slalom speed is also slower than the Acura's 57.5-mph performance and the Mercury's stability control system intervened at every entry and exit cone.

The system, which is called AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, uses a gyroscope to sense a roll condition and then applies braking and engine controls as necessary to help the driver regain command of the vehicle. It works, but it seems to come on prematurely, and there's no way to shut it down.

New Mercury Grand Marquis

Interior amenities include optional 6-way power-adjustable heated leather seats and dual-media stereo with a cassette and single-disc CD player, just in case your musical collection includes both. The optional power moonroof lets the cool breezes inside. Power, heated sideview mirrors melt the wintertime ice with ease. Standard on LS models, the power adjustable pedals can accommodate drivers of all sizes. Offering the roomiest interior in its class, the Grand Marquis easily fits up to six adult passengers on two bench seats. The gigantic trunk has 20.6 cubic feet of space (most in its class), and can accommodate large items such as golf clubs or multiple suitcases. Standard 17-inch chromed aluminum wheels add a touch of class, while integrated fog lamps increase nighttime visibility.

Mercury Mariner

A year later, look for the gasoline-electric Mariner Hybrid, able to return between 35 and 40 mpg in the city. Choose front- or "Intelligent" all-wheel drive and four- or six-cylinder power. The Mariner compact sport-utility leads the charge this fall, with all the things that have made the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute successful behind a remarkably handsome new face.

Sure, they're mildly reworked versions of blue-oval-badged vehicles, but they all look good, and that's got to count for something. Ford Motor Company's wayward little brand has a parade of new products on the way. You can't say Mercury isn't trying.