Mercury Sable

Which Mercury Sable to buy: version-by-version comparison

If you are choosing a Mercury Sable rather than reading a history, the catalogue data point to one split. For the strongest measured performance in the 1999–2005 4 generation, take the 3.0 AT with 203 hp (149 kW) at 5750 rpm: 8.3 s to 100 km/h at 1575 kg kerb.

If you are choosing a Mercury Sable rather than reading a history, the catalogue data point to one split. For the strongest measured performance in the 1999–2005 4 generation, take the 3.0 AT with 203 hp (149 kW) at 5750 rpm: 8.3 s to 100 km/h at 1575 kg kerb. For the most power and the only AWD choice in the whole run, take a 2007–2009 5 generation 3.5 AT at 263 hp (193 kW): the FWD car is 8.6 s and 1655 kg, the AWD car is 9.6 s and 1730 kg. Everything else in the 1986–2009 Sedan line is a trade on horsepower, weight per horsepower, tank size, and whether 0–100 km/h and mpg were measured at all.

The model is a Mercury Sedan across five generations: 1 generation 1986–1991 (five versions), 2 generation 1991–1995 (four), 3 generation 1995–1999 (two), 4 generation 1999–2005 (five), 5 generation 2007–2009 (two). There is no generation listed for 2006. Every listed version is Automatic; boost is No on every engine. Fuel use (city / highway / mixed) is measured only on 2 generation cars. Wheel size is not measured on any version. Ground clearance is 140 mm where it is measured (1–4 generation) and not measured on 5 generation.

Which generation to buy

5 generation (2007–2009, two Sedan versions). This is the only generation with a 6-speed Automatic, a 3496 cm³ Gasoline 6-cylinder V-shaped engine, 4 valves per cylinder, Front, transverse mounting, 76 L tank, and an AWD option. Peak power is 263 hp — 60 hp above the strongest 4 generation 3.0 AT (203 hp) and 173 hp above the 1 generation 2.5 AT (90 hp). The FWD 3.5 AT at 1655 kg is 6.3 kg per hp (1655 ÷ 263). The AWD 3.5 AT at 1730 kg is 6.6 kg per hp. City, highway, and mixed consumption are not measured. CO2 and eco class are not measured.

4 generation (1999–2005, five Sedan versions), including typical 2000 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 specs. All five cars are named 3.0 AT, FWD, 4-speed Automatic, 61 L tank, 140 mm clearance, independent spring suspension front and rear. The buying decision is which 3.0 AT you actually have: 155 hp (two cars, 2967 cm³ and 2970 cm³), 200 hp (two cars, same two displacements), or 203 hp (2970 cm³). The 155 hp pair is 12.2 s to 100 km/h and 180 km/h; the 203 hp car is 8.3 s and still 180 km/h; the 200 hp pair has 0–100 km/h not measured but 200 km/h top speed.

3 generation (1995–1999, two Sedan versions). Both are 3.0 AT, FWD, 4-speed Automatic, 61 L, 140 mm. One is 200 hp from 2967 cm³ with 4 valves per cylinder; the other is 145 hp from 2986 cm³ with 2 valves per cylinder and Drum rear brakes — the only Drum listing in the catalogue. 0–100 km/h is not measured on either. Fuel consumption is not measured.

2 generation (1991–1995, four Sedan versions). This is the only generation with measured mpg-style figures, and the first with a named 3.8 AT beside 3.0 AT. Both engines are 140 hp Gasoline 6-cylinder V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, FWD, 4-speed Automatic, 61 L, 140 mm. The 3.8 AT is the torque buy (292 Nm at 2200 rpm vs 220 Nm on 3.0 AT, with 3.0 AT torque rpm not measured). Fuel on both 3.0 AT cars: 11.8 / 8.1 / 10.2 L/100 km. Fuel on both 3.8 AT cars: 13.1 / 8.4 / 10.7 L/100 km.

1 generation (1986–1991, five Sedan versions), including a typical 1990 spec. The only 4-cylinder Inline engine in the line is the 2.5 AT at 90 hp (66 kW), 2496 cm³, 3-speed Automatic — the only 3-speed. Engine position, compression ratio, bore × stroke, and power rpm are not measured on that 2.5 AT. The other four cars are 3.0 AT and 3.8 AT at 140 hp, same torque split as 2 generation (220 Nm vs 292 Nm at 2200 rpm). Fuel consumption is not measured on any 1 generation version. Engine location is not measured on all five.

No station wagon or LS trim is listed in these specs; every body is Sedan.

Engines and specs: every listed version

Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) on every version. Compression on 5 generation 3.5 AT is 10.3; on 4 generation 155 hp cars 9.3; on 4 generation 200/203 hp cars 10; on 3 generation 200 hp 3.0 AT 10; on 3 generation 145 hp 3.0 AT 9.3; on 3.0 AT 140 hp cars 9.3; on 3.8 AT 9; on 2.5 AT not measured.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): 5 generation 3.5 AT 75.2 hp/L (263 ÷ 3.496). 4 generation 3.0 AT 203 hp: 68.4 hp/L (203 ÷ 2.970). 4/3 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp, 2967 cm³: 67.4 hp/L. 4 generation 3.0 AT 155 hp, 2967 cm³: 52.2 hp/L. 3 generation 3.0 AT 145 hp: 48.6 hp/L. 3.0 AT 140 hp, 2986 cm³: 46.9 hp/L. 3.8 AT 140 hp: 36.9 hp/L (140 ÷ 3.797). 2.5 AT: 36.1 hp/L (90 ÷ 2.496). The 5 generation engine is therefore the densest; the 3.8 AT and 2.5 AT are the least dense — the 3.8 AT buys torque, not specific output.

Performance, horsepower, and mpg

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among measured cars. 4 generation 3.0 AT 203 hp: 8.3 s. 5 generation 3.5 AT FWD: 8.6 s (0.3 s slower than that 203 hp 3.0 AT, with 60 more hp and 80 more kg: 1655 − 1575). 5 generation 3.5 AT AWD: 9.6 s (1.0 s slower than the FWD 3.5 AT on the same 263 hp, 75 kg heavier). 2 generation 3.8 AT at 1430 kg: 10.6 s. 1 generation 3.8 AT 10.6 s (same 1430 kg) and 10.9 s (same 1430 kg). 2 generation 3.8 AT at 1515 kg: 11.1 s — 0.5 s slower than the 1430 kg 3.8 AT in the same generation, on +85 kg. 1 generation 3.0 AT 11.6 s. 2 generation 3.0 AT 12.0 s and 12.6 s (same 140 hp, same 1430 kg, 0.6 s apart). 4 generation 3.0 AT 155 hp: 12.2 s. 1 generation 3.0 AT 12.4 s. 1 generation 2.5 AT: 15.5 s — 7.2 s slower than the 203 hp 3.0 AT.

0–100 km/h not measured: both 3 generation 3.0 AT cars (200 hp and 145 hp); both 4 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp cars (2967 cm³ and 2970 cm³). Do not treat those as “no 0–100 exists”; they were not measured here.

Top speed. Highest listed: 1 generation 3.8 AT 10.6 s at 210 km/h. Next: 3 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp and both 4 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp cars at 200 km/h. 2 generation 3.8 AT 10.6 s: 198 km/h. 1 generation 3.8 AT 10.9 s: 193 km/h. 5 generation 3.5 AT FWD: 190 km/h — 20 km/h below the 210 km/h 3.8 AT, despite 123 extra hp. 5 generation 3.5 AT AWD: 185 km/h. 4 generation 3.0 AT 203 hp: 180 km/h, same as the 155 hp 3.0 AT cars — the 48 hp and 3.9 s 0–100 gain (12.2 − 8.3) does not raise the listed top speed. Slowest: 2.5 AT at 172 km/h.

Fuel. Only 2 generation has numbers. 3.0 AT mixed 10.2 L/100 km vs 3.8 AT mixed 10.7 L/100 km: the 3.8 AT uses 0.5 L/100 km more mixed, 1.3 more in town (13.1 − 11.8), 0.3 more on the highway (8.4 − 8.1), for +72 Nm and 1.4–2.0 s quicker 0–100 at equal 140 hp. All other generations: city, highway, mixed not measured. CO2 not measured on every version.

Weight, tank, dimensions, clearance

Kerb weight runs 1430 kg on 1 generation (all five) and on three of four 2 generation cars, then 1515 kg on the heavier 2 generation 3.8 AT, 1535–1545 kg in 3 generation, 1545–1575 kg in 4 generation, 1655 kg (FWD) and 1730 kg (AWD) in 5 generation. Gross mass is not measured on 1, 2, and 3 generation and on both 4 generation 200 hp 3.0 AT cars. Where measured: 4 generation 155 hp 3.0 AT 2140 kg; 4 generation 203 hp 3.0 AT 2150 kg; 5 generation FWD 3.5 AT 2110 kg; AWD 3.5 AT 2150 kg.

Payload where both figures exist: 4 generation 155 hp 3.0 AT 2140 − 1565 = 575 kg; 203 hp 3.0 AT 2150 − 1575 = 575 kg; 5 generation FWD 3.5 AT 2110 − 1655 = 455 kg; AWD 3.5 AT 2150 − 1730 = 420 kg. The later, heavier cars carry less extra mass on the listed gross figures.

Tank: 61 L on generations 1–4, 76 L on 5 generation (+15 L). Ground clearance: 140 mm on generations 1–4, not measured on 5 generation. Wheel size: not measured on every version. Length and other exterior dimensions are not measured in this dataset.

Weight per horsepower: 2.5 AT 15.9 kg/hp (1430 ÷ 90). 4 generation 155 hp 3.0 AT 10.1 kg/hp (1565 ÷ 155). 2 generation 3.0 AT 10.2 kg/hp (1430 ÷ 140). 3 generation 145 hp 3.0 AT 10.6 kg/hp. 2 generation heavy 3.8 AT 10.8 kg/hp (1515 ÷ 140). 4 generation 200 hp 3.0 AT 7.7 kg/hp (1545 ÷ 200). 4 generation 203 hp 3.0 AT 7.8 kg/hp. 5 generation FWD 3.5 AT 6.3 kg/hp. 5 generation AWD 3.5 AT 6.6 kg/hp.

Brakes: 5 generation both 3.5 AT cars use Disc front and Disc rear. 4 generation 155 hp 2967 cm³ and 200 hp 2967 cm³ use Ventilated disc front, Disc rear; the 2970 cm³ 155/200/203 hp cars use Disc front and Disc rear. 3 generation 200 hp 3.0 AT: Ventilated disc / Disc. 3 generation 145 hp 3.0 AT: Ventilated disc / Drum. Generations 1 and 2: Ventilated disc / Disc.

Which version to choose

If you want the most horsepower and the 2008 / 2009 Mercury Sable specs. Buy 5 generation. Both cars are 3.5 AT, 263 hp, 332 Nm, 3496 cm³, Gasoline 95, 6-speed Automatic. Choose FWD unless you need AWD: FWD is 75 kg lighter, 1.0 s quicker to 100 km/h (8.6 vs 9.6), and 5 km/h faster at the top (190 vs 185). AWD is the only all-wheel listing in five generations. You give up measured fuel figures, measured clearance, and 120 kg of payload versus the 4 generation 155/203 hp cars (455 vs 575 kg on FWD).

If you want the quickest measured 0–100 in a 2000–2005 Mercury Sable. Buy the 4 generation 3.0 AT with 203 hp (149 kW), 281 Nm, 2970 cm³, 4 valves per cylinder, Gasoline 95, 8.3 s, 1575 kg. Versus the same generation’s 3.0 AT 155 hp cars you gain 48 hp and 30 Nm, drop 3.9 s, and stay at 180 km/h. Versus the 3.0 AT 200 hp cars you gain 3 hp and 10 Nm, keep a measured 0–100 (theirs is not measured), lose 20 km/h of listed top speed (180 vs 200), and use Gasoline 95 instead of 92. The two 155 hp 3.0 AT cars differ by 3 cm³ (2967 vs 2970), front brake type (Ventilated disc vs Disc), and nothing else that was measured — do not pick between them on power.

If you want 200 hp without stepping into 5 generation. 3 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp (2967 cm³, 1545 kg, Ventilated disc front, 200 km/h) matches the 4 generation 3.0 AT 200 hp 2967 cm³ car on power, torque, displacement, fuel 92, 4 valves, and kerb weight. The 4 generation twin at 2970 cm³ is the same 200 hp / 271 Nm / 1545 kg with Disc front instead of Ventilated disc. 0–100 km/h is not measured on all three 200 hp cars.

If you want torque at low rpm in an older Sable (1990-era 1 generation or 2 generation). Buy 3.8 AT, not 3.0 AT. Both are 140 hp. The 3.8 AT makes 292 Nm at 2200 rpm from 3797 cm³; the 3.0 AT makes 220 Nm from 2986 cm³ with torque rpm not measured. On 2 generation the 1430 kg 3.8 AT is 10.6 s / 198 km/h versus 12.0 s / 188 km/h and 12.6 s / 185 km/h for the two 3.0 AT cars at the same 1430 kg. You pay 0.5 L/100 km mixed. On 1 generation the 3.8 AT at 10.6 s / 210 km/h is the fastest top speed in the entire catalogue; the other 3.8 AT is 10.9 s / 193 km/h. Both 1 generation 3.0 AT cars are slower (11.6 s / 189 km/h and 12.4 s / 186 km/h). Fuel on 1 generation is not measured.

If you want the lightest, simplest, and only 4-cylinder. The 1 generation 2.5 AT is 90 hp, 180 Nm, 2496 cm³, Inline 4, 3-speed Automatic, 15.5 s, 172 km/h, 1430 kg — 15.9 kg per hp, 36.1 hp/L. Engine position, compression, bore × stroke, and rpm for peak power and torque are not measured. It is 50 hp down on every 140 hp 3.0 AT / 3.8 AT in the same generation.

If you want the only generation with measured consumption. Stay in 2 generation and prefer 3.0 AT (10.2 mixed) over 3.8 AT (10.7 mixed) unless the 72 Nm gap matters more than 0.5 L/100 km.

If you are looking at a 3 generation 145 hp 3.0 AT. It is the weakest 6-cylinder in the later cars (145 hp, 230 Nm, 2986 cm³, 2 valves, Drum rear, 1535 kg, 190 km/h, 0–100 not measured). The 200 hp 3.0 AT in the same generation is 55 hp and 41 Nm up, 10 kg heavier, Ventilated disc / Disc, 200 km/h.

Problems and reliability are not in this dataset; do not infer them from the numbers. Prices are not in this dataset; “what you buy” here is hp, Nm, seconds, kilograms, litres, gears, and FWD versus AWD — not a sticker.