[Carver]

I took delivery of this 2007 Mercury Milan V6 in April 2007 with 8 miles on the odometer (6 at the beginning of the test drive). The vehicle replaced a 1999 Honda Civic EX coupe with a 5-sp MT.

My summary opinion of the vehicle is that the Milan is a superb entry into its market segment. J.D. Power and Assoc. didn’t call the 2007 Milan the #1 vehicle in its class in initial quality for nothing. Comparing the Milan to similarly priced FWD mid-sizers, I can’t name a vehicle which is clearly superior to it, especially when real world prices are taken into account.

The exterior styling makes a statement while still being understated. The vehicle has clean simple lines which will age well. There’s nothing overly trendy here: nice details with the headlights up front and nice detail work with the LED tail lamps. Meanwhile, the side profile is timeless and graceful. The standard 16” alloys are simple yet noteworthy; and they allow for 45mm profile tires which provide the comfortable ride which consumers in this segment expect – more on that in a second.

Moving to the interior, the design and the materials are on par with all competitors, save possibly one or two all-new 2008 models. The vehicle under review has a charcoal interior, which is probably the nicest of the non-leather interiors. Nice metallic-look accents appear on the center stack, the instrument cluster, and on the doors. The soft-touch dashboard and the fabric inlays in the doors are inviting touches. The driver is treated to a commanding steering wheel, complete with audio and other controls. The switchgear on the steering wheel, audio unit, and to a lesser extent on the climate controls has a quality, dampened feel to it. However, the climate system desperately needs more than four fan speeds. There are significant areas of hard, sometimes roughly-cut plastic; but this is usually in out of the way places and is partially concealed by the dark charcoal color.

Returning to the issue of roadhandling, this vehicle delivers what it should. The ride is comfortable, supple, and the suspension partially protects occupants from Chicago’s pot-holed winter roads. On quick turns there is some body lean, yet it remains controlled and un-disturbing. At engine speeds under 3000rpm the cabin remains serene and quiet; and with the way most mid-sizers are driven, there is seldom a need to go far above 3000 in this car. However, at higher engine speeds the Duratec 30 makes its presence heard and fails to match the refinement of some of its competitors. Yet, the Milan’s six-speed transmission is matched well with this engine. The shifts are smooth and precise; and after some experience with this powertrain, the driver can easily control downshifting, it’s just a matter of knowing how deep to press the accelerator in different situations. I must say that the thought of driving a 4-speed auto (I also considered the 3.5/4sp Aura) is alarming, having experienced this transmission.

Over these ten months the vehicle has been perfectly reliable. The car excels on the highway more than anywhere else; there it delivers quiet and comfortable cruising with more than sufficient power on tap for passing. The Milan also delivers respectable fuel economy on the highway. On various trips I’ve averaged from 26 to 29.5 mpg. If I drove conservatively enough I feel confident I could get it over 30. In urban Chicago driving, however, the results have not been as nice. I do a considerable amount of idling, and partially for that reason the observed mileage has generally been between 12 and 14.5. Lately, in the throes of winter, I’ve achieved a disappointing 11.7mpg.

Given the market segment and the target audience, this car achieves everything it needs to. Would I buy it again? Actually, no. Given my (newfound) desire for driver involvement and perhaps a bit more cache, I would and will probably look elsewhere. But that’s due to my own vacillation rather than to Mercury’s lack of a good product. Currently, I plan to pay off the Milan and give it to my parents; I will then return to the hunt.

Thanks for your attention.