Which Mercury Mountaineer version to buy: specs compared by generation
The Mercury Mountaineer to buy is the one whose measured numbers match the job: 3 generation (2005–2010) 4.6 AT at 295 hp is the strongest engine in this catalogue; 2 generation (2001–2005) 4.6 AT at 242 hp is the fastest fully measured RWD/AWD pair (8.6 s to 100 km/h, 190 km/h); 1 generation, restyling 4.9 AT AWD at 218 hp is the quickest 0–100 in the file (8.3 s).
The Mercury Mountaineer to buy is the one whose measured numbers match the job: 3 generation (2005–2010) 4.6 AT at 295 hp is the strongest engine in this catalogue; 2 generation (2001–2005) 4.6 AT at 242 hp is the fastest fully measured RWD/AWD pair (8.6 s to 100 km/h, 190 km/h); 1 generation, restyling 4.9 AT AWD at 218 hp is the quickest 0–100 in the file (8.3 s). The model is an SUV 5-doors across three generations (1 generation 1996–1997 plus 1 generation, restyling 1997–2001 counted as one generation). Every version is Gasoline, Automatic, Front, longitudinal, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, Distributed injection (multi-point). Prices are not in the data.
Generations: what actually changed in the numbers
1 generation (1996–1997) plus 1 generation, restyling (1997–2001). Two 4.9 AT versions at 214 hp (RWD and AWD) in the first window, then five versions after restyling: three 4.0 AT (208 hp RWD; 213 hp RWD; 213 hp AWD) and two 4.9 AT at 218 hp (RWD and AWD). Body stays SUV 5-doors. Ground clearance rises from 161 mm (1996–1997) to 170 mm (restyling). Tank falls from 85 L to 79 L. Gearbox stays 4 or becomes 5 on the 213 hp 4.0 AT. Rear brakes split: Drum on 208 hp 4.0 AT RWD and 218 hp 4.9 AT AWD; Disc on the other restyling versions.
2 generation (2001–2005). Five versions, all 5-speed Automatic: two 4.0 AT at 213 hp (RWD, AWD) and three 4.6 AT (235 hp RWD; 242 hp RWD; 242 hp AWD). Tank returns to 85 L. Clearance stays 170 mm. Front brakes are Disc, not Ventilated disc. 0–100 is measured on all five.
3 generation (2005–2010). Three versions, all 6-speed Automatic: 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD; 4.6 AT 295 hp AWD; 4.6 AT 295 hp RWD. Front brakes become Ventilated disc. 0–100, top speed, and mpg are not measured on any 3 generation version.
Engine options and horsepower: which 4.0 AT, 4.6 AT, and 4.9 AT
Use the exact names. Same name is split by hp, drive, and generation.
| Generation | Version | hp (kW @ rpm) | Nm @ rpm | cc | Cylinders | Fuel | Gears | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 generation | 4.0 AT | 213 (157 @ 5250) | 326 @ 3250 | 3996 | 6 V-shaped | 92 | 6 | RWD |
| 3 generation | 4.6 AT | 295 (217 @ 5750) | 407 @ 4750 | 4601 | 8 V-shaped | 92 | 6 | AWD |
| 3 generation | 4.6 AT | 295 (217 @ 5750) | 407 @ 4750 | 4601 | 8 V-shaped | 92 | 6 | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.0 AT | 213 (156 @ 5250) | 339 @ 4000 | 3996 | 6 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.0 AT | 213 (156 @ 5250) | 339 @ 4000 | 3996 | 6 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | AWD |
| 2 generation | 4.6 AT | 235 (173 @ 4750) | 395 @ 4000 | 4601 | 8 V-shaped | 92 | 5 | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.6 AT | 242 (178 @ 4750) | 379 @ 4000 | 4601 | 8 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | RWD |
| 2 generation | 4.6 AT | 242 (178 @ 4750) | 379 @ 4000 | 4601 | 8 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 4.0 AT | 208 (153 @ 5250) | 339 @ 3000 | 3996 | 6 V-shaped | 80 | 4 | RWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 4.0 AT | 213 (156 @ 5100) | 344 @ 3700 | 4009 | 6 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | RWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 4.0 AT | 213 (156 @ 5100) | 344 @ 3700 | 4009 | 6 V-shaped | 95 | 5 | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 4.9 AT | 218 (160 @ 4200) | 391 @ 3300 | 4942 | 8 V-shaped | 92 | 4 | RWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 4.9 AT | 218 (160 @ 4200) | 391 @ 3300 | 4942 | 8 V-shaped | 92 | 4 | AWD |
| 1 generation | 4.9 AT | 214 (157 @ 4600) | 372 @ 3200 | 4942 | 8 V-shaped | 95 | 4 | AWD |
| 1 generation | 4.9 AT | 214 (157 @ 4600) | 372 @ 3200 | 4942 | 8 V-shaped | 95 | 4 | RWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the cc figure): 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp is 64.1 hp/L — the densest engine here. 3 generation and 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp sit at 53.3 hp/L. 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp is 52.6 hp/L; 235 hp is 51.1 hp/L. Restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp is 44.1 hp/L; 1996–1997 4.9 AT 214 hp is 43.3 hp/L. The 4.9-litre 8 is the largest engine size and the least hp per litre.
3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp vs 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp: +53 hp (+21.9%), +28 Nm (407 vs 379), +1 gear (6 vs 5), same 4601 cc. 2 generation 4.6 AT 235 hp vs 242 hp: −7 hp, but +16 Nm (395 vs 379) and fuel 92 instead of 95. Restyling 4.0 AT 208 vs 213: −5 hp, 3996 vs 4009 cc, 4 gears vs 5, fuel 80 vs 95.
Performance, 0–100, and mpg
Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest:
- 1 generation, restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp AWD: 8.3 s. Top speed 177 km/h. RWD twin: 0–100 not measured; top speed 180 km/h.
- 2 generation 4.6 AT 235 hp RWD and both 4.6 AT 242 hp (RWD and AWD): 8.6 s. Top speed 180 km/h (235 hp) vs 190 km/h (242 hp). AWD does not change the 8.6 s figure.
- 1 generation, restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp AWD: 9.3 s, 170 km/h. 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp AWD: 9.3 s, 180 km/h (+10 km/h).
- Restyling 4.0 AT 208 hp RWD: 9.5 s, 177 km/h.
- Restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD and 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD: 10.2 s, 177 km/h.
On 2 generation 4.0 AT, AWD is 0.9 s quicker than RWD (9.3 vs 10.2) despite +110 kg (2045 vs 1935). On restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp the same 0.9 s gap appears (9.3 vs 10.2) with +50 kg (2120 vs 2070), but AWD top speed is 7 km/h lower (170 vs 177).
3 generation: 0–100 not measured; top speed not measured for 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD and both 4.6 AT 295 hp.
Mpg / fuel consumption: not measured for every 2 generation, 3 generation, and restyling version. Only 1 generation (1996–1997) 4.9 AT has figures: city 16.8 L/100 km and highway 13.1 L/100 km on both drives; mixed 15.7 (AWD) vs 14.7 (RWD) — AWD costs +1.0 L/100 km mixed. CO2 not measured; eco class not measured. Reliability, engine problems, engine swap, towing capacity, and 0–60 are not measured in this dataset.
Weight, dimensions, tank, clearance
Wheel size: not measured on all versions. Length and other exterior dimensions: not measured. Ground clearance: 161 mm (both 1996–1997 4.9 AT) vs 170 mm from restyling onward (+9 mm). Tank: 85 L (1996–1997 and all 2/3 generation) vs 79 L (restyling, −6 L).
Kerb weight (lightest measured first):
- 1 generation 4.9 AT 214 hp RWD: 1792 kg (8.37 kg/hp). Gross not measured.
- Restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp RWD: 1800 kg (8.26 kg/hp). Gross not measured.
- 1 generation 4.9 AT 214 hp AWD: 1882 kg (+90 kg vs its RWD). Gross not measured.
- Restyling 4.0 AT 208 hp RWD: 1880 kg (9.04 kg/hp), gross 2510 kg.
- 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp RWD: 1930 kg (7.98 kg/hp), gross 2550 kg.
- 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD: 1935 kg (9.08 kg/hp), gross 2550 kg.
- Restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp AWD: 1950 kg (+150 kg vs its RWD), gross 2510 kg.
- 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp AWD: 2040 kg (+110 kg), gross 2650 kg.
- 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp AWD: 2045 kg (+110 kg), gross 2645 kg.
- Restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD: 2070 kg; AWD 2120 kg (+50 kg). Gross 2755 / 2800 kg.
- 3 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD and 4.6 AT 295 hp RWD: 2080 kg. Gross 2757 kg. Weight per hp: 9.77 vs 7.05.
- 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp AWD: 2125 kg (+45 kg vs RWD), gross 2803 kg, 7.20 kg/hp.
2 generation 4.6 AT 235 hp RWD: kerb not measured; gross not measured.
Best measured kg/hp among versions with kerb: 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp RWD at 7.05. Worst among measured: restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp AWD at 9.95 kg/hp (2120 ÷ 213). Payload from measured pairs: 3 generation RWD 2757 − 2080 = 677 kg; 3 generation AWD 2803 − 2125 = 678 kg; 2 generation 4.0 AT RWD 2550 − 1935 = 615 kg; 2 generation 4.0 AT AWD 2645 − 2045 = 600 kg.
Which version to choose
Need the most horsepower and a 6-speed Automatic: 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp, RWD or AWD. Same 407 Nm, same 4601 cc, same 92 fuel. AWD adds 45 kg. 0–100 and mpg not measured — do not treat this generation as “proven quicker” than 2 generation; the file simply does not measure it.
Need a measured sprint and a 190 km/h top speed: 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp. RWD 1930 kg vs AWD 2040 kg; both 8.6 s and 190 km/h. Fuel 95. If 92 fuel and +16 Nm matter more than 7 hp, 2 generation 4.6 AT 235 hp RWD: same 8.6 s, 180 km/h, kerb not measured.
Need the shortest measured 0–100 in the catalogue: 1 generation, restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp AWD at 8.3 s. Four gears, Drum rear, 79 L tank, 1950 kg. The RWD 4.9 AT 218 hp is the lightest restyling V-shaped 8 (1800 kg) but 0–100 not measured.
Need the lightest Mountaineer: 1 generation 4.9 AT 214 hp RWD at 1792 kg, 161 mm clearance, 85 L tank, mixed 14.7 L/100 km. AWD twin: +90 kg, mixed 15.7. 0–100 and top speed not measured on both 1996–1997 versions.
Need a 6-cylinder and 92 fuel: only 3 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp RWD (2080 kg, 6 gears, 326 Nm). Same 213 hp as 2 generation 4.0 AT, but 13 Nm less (326 vs 339), 1 extra gear, Ventilated disc front, fuel 92 vs 95, and +145 kg vs 2 generation RWD (2080 vs 1935). 2 generation 4.0 AT RWD is the lighter 213 hp six with a measured 10.2 s.
Need 80 fuel: only restyling 4.0 AT 208 hp RWD. Four gears, Drum rear, 9.5 s, 177 km/h, 1880 kg.
RWD vs AWD on the same engine: 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp: +45 kg for AWD, no measured speed change. 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp: +110 kg, same 8.6 s and 190 km/h. 2 generation 4.0 AT 213 hp: +110 kg and 0.9 s quicker with AWD. Restyling 4.0 AT 213 hp: +50 kg, 0.9 s quicker, −7 km/h top speed with AWD.
What a later generation buys in arithmetic, not in price (prices not measured): moving from 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp to 3 generation 4.6 AT 295 hp buys 53 hp, 28 Nm, a 6th gear, and Ventilated disc fronts, at +150 kg on RWD (2080 vs 1930) or +85 kg on AWD (2125 vs 2040). Moving from restyling 4.9 AT 218 hp to 2 generation 4.6 AT 242 hp buys 24 hp, 5 gears instead of 4, 85 L instead of 79 L, Disc rear instead of Drum on the AWD 4.9, and a measured 8.6 s vs 8.3 s — the older 4.9 AWD remains 0.3 s quicker where both are measured.
Pick by the row that is actually filled: 3 generation when 295 hp and 6 gears are the spec; 2 generation when 8.6 s / 190 km/h must be on the sheet; restyling 4.9 AT AWD when 8.3 s is the target; 1996–1997 4.9 AT when kerb 1792 kg or the only mpg figures in the file are the requirement.