I just finished my test drive of the all-new 2005 Mercury Montego all-wheel-drive sedan and came away very impressed with the great combination of styling, performance, roomy comfort and safety. It is the ‘sleeper sedan' of 2005 with very little press coverage touting its virtues like available all-wheel-drive, class-leading interior head and legroom, best in class cargo capacity, standard 6-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel-drive or standard CVT (continuously variable transmission) with AWD, distinctive styling and the latest safety features. Montego takes its place at the top of the midsize sedan segment. It is offered in Luxury and Premier trim levels. Prices start at just $25,105.00 for FWD models, and only $29,405.00 for the Premier AWD models. No other comparably equipped mid-size sedan comes close in price.

Design cues instantly identify the new Montego as a Mercury. The signature waterfall grille, strategic use of contrasting metallic surfaces like satin aluminum and chrome, flared fenders, lower side rocker panels, full-length bodyside molding, lower front fog lamps, rear dual exhaust tips, along with unique tailoring continue Mercury's unique design. The Montego comes standard with front HID headlamps that are stronger than halogen lamps and give a clearer view of the road at night, while the standard rear LED lights are brighter, longer lasting and react quicker to your inputs giving following drivers more reaction time. These high-tech front and rear lights are only found in sedans costing thousands of dollars more.

Montego's solid frame is borrowed from the Volvo S-80 and that means crisp, responsive handling and no noise, vibration or harshness. The steel unibody construction is covered with galvanized steel sheet metal body panels for extra durability. Extra sound deadening material is placed in strategic locations around the body to help keep the interior very quiet.

Under the hood is a 3.0 liter, DOHC DuratecV6 engine that is constructed of aluminum for lighter weight. It makes 203hp at 5,750rpm and 205lb.ft. of torque at 4,800rpm. This is Montego's only disappointment regarding adequate power to easily merge and pass on fast moving freeways and highways. The FWD model weighs 3,656lbs. and the AWD model weighs 3,819lbs. so more power is needed. Acceleration specs show a slow 0-60mph time of 8.5sec. This car needs at least 250hp to accelerate at a brisker pace for both driving enjoyment and safety. The 3.0 liter Duratec V6 is mated to two high-tech transmissions-when you order the FWD model you get the smooth shifting 6-speed electronically controlled transmission with standard traction control; and when you order the AWD model you'll get the CVT (continuously variable transmission). After driving the CVT model I missed the 6-speed automatic and its choice of more lower gears. The CVT only comes with Drive and Low. I guess I'm used to driving with a manual or semi-manual automatic and miss the feel as the car changes gears. Both transmissions do a good job and return 19mpg/city and 26mpg/highway. When you order the optional AWD system the vehicle drives in FWD but when the electro-hydraulic Haldex limited-slip coupling senses a difference in speed between the front and rear wheels, it distributes up to 100% torque to the rear wheels.

A fully independent suspension gives the Montego both a sporty and smooth ride. Up front are MacPherson struts, rearward-facing lower L-arms and a stabilizer bar to control body lean. The rear independent setup features multi-links with coil-over-shocks and a stabilizer bar that further enhances control while cornering. The speed-sensitive power rack & pinion steering system gives quick response to your inputs with excellent feel for the road.

Quickly and safely slowing the Montego down from speed are large, 4-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 12.2in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston aluminum calipers, and 12.8in. solid discs clamped with single-piston aluminum calipers in the rear. Braking is enhanced with standard ABS and EDB (electronic brake force distribution).

The luxury Montego model rides on 17X7in. aluminum wheels wrapped with 215/60R17in. all-season tires and the Premiere Montego rides on 18X8in. aluminum wheels wrapped with 225/55R18in. all-season tires. Both sets of tires offer good traction and a compliant ride over poorly paved roads.

Montego's premium interior is roomy and sophisticated with flexible seating and cargo storage capability that sets new standard for midsize sedans. A spacious second row and ‘high-package' seating position (2in. higher) provide unprecedented passenger comfort and reinforce the driver's commanding view of the road. A key feature inside is the upscale, two-tone treatment. A satin aluminum finish is used in the door handles while chrome trim rings enhance the dash-mounted analog clock and instrument gauges. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather, with buttons to control the premium audio system and cruise-control located on the wheel for your convenience. The center console includes the shifter knob incased in an aluminum toned gate, dual cupholders and a deep and wide storage bin with padded top. A tasteful strip of dark brown faux wood is placed on the center of the dash, then surrounds the center stack and center console. On the dash shelf is a large pop-open storage bin.

All buttons, dials, switches and levers are easy to reach and fully illuminated for safe nighttime driving. Montego's interior dimensions put it among the leaders in virtually every category, including best-in-class headroom and knee room in the second row. The natural upright seating position offers both comfort and visibility. Montego's giant 21.2cu.ft. trunk is nearly 50% larger than that of most competitors. With the split second-row seat folded, the trunk expands to offer a best-in-class 49.9in. of total load floor length, and with the fold-flat front passenger seatback, it only enhances your capability for even longer items.

Standard equipment on the Luxury model not mentioned above includes remote keyless entry with keypad, interval wipers, folding heated power side mirrors, power windows/door locks, driver/front passenger airbags, passive anti-theft system dual-zone electronic climate controls, front & rear floor mats, six-way power driver seat, seatback map pockets, split-fold rear seat with head restraints, fold-down rear armrest with cupholders, auto-dimming rearview mirror, two 12-volt powerpoints, AM-FM stereo with CD player with 6-speakers, map lamps/rear reading lamps, grab handles above all passenger doors, and remote trunk opener. Premier adds 18in. wheels/tires, remote perimeter lighting, Audiophile AM-FM stereo with 6-CD changer and subwoofer, leather seating surfaces, heated driver/front passenger seats, two-way passenger seat, overhead console with universal garage door opener, woodgrain interior appliqués, memory function for power seats/mirrors/adjustable pedals, and a trunk cargo net. Options include AWD, rear-seat DVD entertainment, navigation system, remote perimeter lighting, power moonroof, reverse sensing parking assist, Safety Canopy air curtains with rollover protection and seat-mounted side impact airbags. Standard safety features include front/rear crumple zones, steel beams in each door, 3-point safety belt for all five seating positions with front pretensioners/load limiters, LATCH system for child seats, and child-proof rear door locks.

The all-new 2005 Mercury Montego is one of the best midsize family sedans on the market. No other sedan comes close with all the unique features and standard equipment for a starting price of just over $25,000.00. The Montego has earned ‘Best Pick' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for Offset frontal crash performance and Five-Star ratings for front-and-side impact performance in government testing.

COPYRIGHT:2005:HARVEY SCHWARTZ - EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

*Click on pictures to view full-size high resolution image.

Other Specifications:

Wheelbase: 112.9in.
Total length: 200.9in.
Total width: 74.5in.
Total height: 61.5in.
Track: f/r-64.6/65.0in.
Headroom: f/r-39.4/38.6in.
Legroom: f/r-41.2/41.9in.
Passenger volume: 108.3cu.ft.
Cargo volume: 21.2cu.ft.
Curb weight: FWD-6-speed-3,656lbs./AWD-CVT-3,819lbs.
EPA mileage specs: 19mpg/city, 26mpg/highway