What It Is

Mercury Mountaineer - 2006 Preview: Peter Horbury, chief designer for Ford Motor Company, says that the current Mountaineer SUV showed that "Mercury could grow again, with design as the differentiator." When the redesigned second-generation Mountaineer debuted for 2002, it did signal Mercury's new design direction and proved that by cloaking Fords in what Horbury calls "clean, contemporary, and metropolitan" clothes (read: satin-silver trim), consumers would be attracted to Mercury showrooms. Four years later, the Mercury Mountaineer gets a mid-cycle update for 2006 that includes an all-new interior, a significant power upgrade, and a re-engineered platform that should tide consumers over until a completely redesigned model arrives later this decade.

What It Looks Like

Starting on the outside, the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer gets a revised grille, a new front bumper treatment, fresh wheel designs, and power retractable running boards that are completely hidden from sight when the doors are closed. The ribbed side cladding is ditched for a smooth, clean appearance, and bigger side mirrors improve visibility. In back, a revised tailgate is added, the tail lamp lenses are clear with red bulbs, and the bumper gets a strip of satin-silver trim. The overall effect is a more aggressive yet contemporary appearance, especially with the optional 18-inch wheels, which do a great job of filling the wheel wells.