2004 Mercury Monterey New Car Buyer's Guide

New Car Buyer's Guide  » Mercury  » 2004 Monterey   What's New for the 2004 Mercury Monterey? Mercury nixed the outdated and outclassed Villager minivan two years ago, replacing it with the 2004 Mercury Monterey. Powered by your choice of a 3.9-liter V6 with 193 horsepower or a 4.2-liter V6 that produces 201 ponies, the 2004 Mercury Monterey dives into the intensely competitive minivan segment armed with a lengthy list of family-friendly features that buyers are seeking. Advantages of the 2004 Mercury Monterey: Impressive roster of standard and optional safety equipment and technology Torquey 4.2-liter V6 engine Smooth ride quality Comfortable front seats Excellent outward visibility Objections to the 2004 Mercury Monterey: Poor fuel economy from 4.2-liter V6 Uncomfortable second- and third-row seats Six-footers cannot clear edges of tailgate when it’s raised Noisy cabin No navigation system option Editor's Advice: Despite what advertising suggests, the 2004 Mercury Monterey is not an all-new minivan (nor is it a resurrection of the 1960s sedan bearing that name). It’s a corporate twin of the 2004 Ford Freestar, itself a significantly updated version of the old Ford Windstar. Why is Mercury launching a warmed-over version of the aging Ford minivan architecture rather than a brand-new design? Because in the next few years there will be a complete redesign for both of the Ford and Mercury minivans. Thus, the Monterey lands mid-pack on our list of minivans to consider. The engines are rather thirsty and don’t make as much power as other players in the segment, but the 2004 Mercury Monterey is a pleasant daily driver with very comfortable front seats. Loads of standard and available safety features, as well as thoughtful options such as a power-assisted tailgate and heated and cooled front seats, make the 2004 Mercury Monterey worth a drive. But it doesn’t earn our top recommendation because the rear seats are uncomfortable, the second-row captain’s chairs are heavy to lift out of the vehicle, Mercury has forgotten to offer a navigation system on this new van, and build quality lags behind the leaders in the segment. Zip Code:  OTHER WAYS TO SEARCH Search By Make BMW, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, etc. Advanced Search Search by features and other criteria Search By Category Convertibles, SUVs, Vans, etc. Search By Payment Find new cars that fit your monthly budget     CAR PREVIEWS & REVIEWS 2006 Mercury Milan Review Mercury adds a sexier name to the Ford Fusion 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Preview Modern Mercury Pioneer 2006 Mercury Milan Preview Upscale Accord Competitor 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Preview Clean, Green, Stylish Machine 2005 Mercury Mariner Preview A Mercury revival begins 2005 Mercury Montego Preview Trim and tidy The Ultimate Nissan GT-R Comparison Test We determine if the Nissan GT-R lives up to its hype...literally 2008 Lexus IS F Lexus luxury at 170 mph. 2008 BMW M3 First Drive If not for outstanding competition, unrivaled 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible More power, more refinement, and better than ever ABOUT CARSMART "Since 1995, we've helped millions of customers get connected to a local CarSmart Accredited Dealer for up-front auto pricing and a no-hassle car and truck buying experience. We are the Internet's largest new car buying service, generating over a billion dollars a month in auto sales."

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