Mercury Milan Review

As the corporate twin to Ford's Fusion, the Mercury Milan shares much of that sedan's architecture, drivetrain specification and safety technology. Thanks to this mechanical heritage, the Milan provides nimble handling and adequate interior space for five adult passengers. The main difference between the two cars is that the Milan is more upscale in appearance and typically comes with more standard features.

While the Milan may not be the first car that comes to mind when you think of family sedans, that doesn't mean it's not a worthy entrant in this hotly contested segment. In fact, its sporty handling puts it a notch above the dynamic norm. The Milan also features a sensible interior layout, and its price tends to be lower than those of traditional class leaders. As an alternative to other mainstream models, the Mercury Milan is definitely worth a look.

Current Mercury Milan
Due to Mercury's demise, 2011 will be the last year for the Milan.

The latest Milan is available in two main trim levels: base and Premier. The base model rides on 16-inch wheels and includes items like air-conditioning, an MP3-compatible CD stereo, a six-way power driver seat, a split-folding rear seat, cruise control, full power accessories and keyless entry. Antilock brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are also standard.

The Milan Premier trim adds 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a CD changer and Sync voice activation. Major options for the base Milan include a sunroof, an upgraded audio system, a navigation system and a Comfort package that adds additional convenience features. Options for the Premier class include a 12-speaker Sony sound system, a blind-sport warning system, a rearview camera and a rear spoiler.

For standard power, the midsize Mercury Milan relies on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower. The engine is connected to a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic is optional. A 240-hp, 3.0-liter V6 is optional and is offered with one transmission, a six-speed automatic. Most Milans sold are front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel-drive version with the V6 is also available.

On the road, four-cylinder models provide adequate power while the V6 provides much improved acceleration, but it is still down on power when pitted against the competition. Stomping the throttle for more power results in a rattly and raucous racket with either engine choice, and the electric power steering is numb and far too light. On the plus side, reviewers have noted that build quality is generally solid. Up front, the seats are well-shaped and supportive, and all but the tallest adults will be content riding in the Milan's spacious backseat.

Used Mercury Milans
Although Mercury markets the current Milan as an all-new design, it is in fact a refreshed version of the car debuted as an all-new model for the 2006 model year. Originally, it was motivated by either a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 160 hp or a 221-hp 3.0-liter V6. Four-cylinder models were paired with a five-speed manual transmission with an option for a five-speed automatic, while the V6 models came only with a six-speed automatic.

There have been some significant changes over the course of its model cycle. Antilock brakes, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags were optional on 2006 Milans and became standard on '07 models. All-wheel drive, also unavailable in 2006, was made available on V6-powered Milans in '07. A DVD-based navigation system first appeared on the accessory list in '07, and the optional Microsoft Sync system was first offered in '08. For 2009, stability control finally became available while the following year brought a styling refresh and mechanical upgrades.

For 2010, there were major changes that significantly altered the perception of the Milan. Although the original cabin was nicely constructed, it was rather plain-looking and its controls were antiquated -- both in appearance and usability. The standard stereo unit in particular wasn't the best fit for a state-of-the-art technology like Microsoft Sync. This was corrected with the major redesign for 2010, which also saw freshened styling.

The vehicle's dynamics were also altered with the debut of current engine lineup and revisions to the steering and suspension. Previously, the Milan was underpowered, but it was surprisingly one of the most fun-to-drive sedans in its segment -- the steering in particular was well-weighted and communicative. The 2010 changes addressed the power issue, though the new steering traded that communication for the easier low-speed effort and fuel savings of an electric power system.

Resale value is not particularly strong, so a low-mileage used Milan could yield considerable savings. However, buyers should take note of the above-mentioned year-to-year changes before deciding to buy used.