GMI Reviews: 2005 Mercury Montego
 

GMI Reviews: 2005 Mercury Montego
A (Much) Bigger Taurus
By: TaHoE

October 18, 2004

www.GMInsideNews.com




It’s not often that a GM enthusiast website like us at GMInsideNews get to drive a car from the competition. In this case, that meant Mercury’s brand new 2005 Montego. Montego is Mercury’s entrant into the large luxury sedan niche, a niche already dominated by the likes of the Buick LeSabre and Toyota Avalon, along with Mercury’s own Grand Marquis. So will the Montego unseat the crowd favorites, or will it be another mediocre attempt by Ford to give Mercury product. Well for that you will have to read on.

I came to the opportunity to drive the Montego (and Mariner as well) strictly by chance. I was having lunch at one of my favorite restaurants (Panera Bread). While on line to order, I heard a representative from Mercury talking with one of the Cashiers about their “Test Drive a Mercury and Get $25” deal. So after gulping down my lunch I drove quickly to Roosevelt Field Mall, where Mercury had a tent set up. I got out of my GP and quickly scurried over to the tent, and signed up for the test drive. They allowed me only to test drive one of the vehicles (I had a choice of between the Mariner and the Montego). Once presented with the choice I quickly said “Montego” and off I went into a Light Tundra Metallic Montego.
Getting into the Montego is very easy, the doors are very light and the doors open extremely wide (Similar to my Grand Prix). As I sat down onto the flat front bucket seat, my attention quickly turned to the high(er) seating position. Though it’s not as high as say, a Minivan, it’s not nearly as low as the Sable or Grand Marquis. My tester had cloth seats which were very hard and flat, with little thigh and chest support. The dashboard had a very cold feeling. The design was very simple, however not as elegant as the LaCrosse/Allure which the design is similar to. The plastic was gray and had black and silver trim. Though the gauges and switches were of higher quality and much more modern looking than those of the LeSabre, they show little design emotion. There was a lot of room inside the cabin, but it gave me an overall feeling of the Montego’s corporate cousin the Ford Taurus. There was similar blocky styling, monotone colors and overall feel.

The Montego is powered by Ford’s Duratec V6. In Montego trim the Duratec produces 203HP and 207lb/ft of torque. The engine was very refined and quiet; however it did little to excite me. This engine tells the driver “You don’t want to go fast, and if you try, you will regret it” and boy was it right. Cruising at 30MPH the engine is quiet, but once you reach about 45MPH, the engine becomes noisy and intrusive. The Duratec is anemic at best and does not power the Montego with confidence, the power is very, well, Buick-like.

The exterior design of the Montego is really the only thing that really is completely attractive. There are crisp lines and modern styling abound. The taillights have LED technology and the headlights have a HID feel to them (however they are not HID units). Even though the styling is a blatant rip-off of the Volkswagen Passat, it is still attractive and better than any of the current offerings from Buick or Toyota.

Overall the Montego is definitely a positive attribute to the Mercury family; however what does that mean about the brand in general. You know it’s a sad time for Mercury if such mediocre products like the Montego, shines in its lineup. However compared to other products like Chrysler’s 300C and the Buick Park Avenue an as tested price of $28,385 with fully loaded models topping off at $30,635, the Montego is not a bargain (which it should be to make a dent in the market), especially when compared to the a similarly equipped Chrysler 300 coming in at $25,470 and a Buick LeSabre priced at $27,795 ($24,795 after rebates). The Montego is a good try, but by making a larger Ford Taurus, Mercury isn’t really blowing away the competition, even with the AWD and “Higher Seating Position”.

Excellent review Tahoe.

I don't care for the Montego at all, talk about boring. For the money I would much rather get a LaCrosse, even if it has a 4-speed auto.

Was the interior color/trim the same as the picture above, or was it a bone stripped model?

It was the one pictured actually. However my tester had cloth seats.

Great review tahoe!

that armrest sure looks long....

I saw all of the new Ford's this weekend, and I weas actually impressed. The Montego and 500 look a lot better in person, and the trunk is HUGE on the two cars!

I too like the cars better in person, though I haven't gotten to sit in one. It'll be a much better car when the Duratec35 eventually arrives...whenever that is!!!

They held a Mercury test drive event in ****ing Roosevelt Field?

Anyway, I really like the 500's look in pictures, but I don't think it looks that great in person. Although I've only seen it in passing, on car lots. The Montego doesn't look as good, I don't think.

Yeah, why does that surprise you? Roosevelt Field is one of the Largest Malls in the Tri-State Area

Well done. Actually, your review is similar to the Automobile Magazine review of the 500. That is, the car is nice, but really boring.

Tahoe...the Merc model is not the Taurus, but the Sable.

When you were saying "203 hp/207 lb-ft," to which Buick, exactly, were you comparing?

Ghrank

Well I have never driven a Sable, so I was comparing it to what car's I have driven. But Yes, You could say that.

----
Ghrank:
I am pretty sure this is the quote you were reffering to:
I was not directly comparing to any certain Buick, I was just saying that the delivery and power/weight ratio seemed extremely similar, so it would accelerate and behave like a Buick.

hmmm...a little copycatting from Ford?? lol

The LaCrosse and Montego are obviously similar. It is a given that American automakers are very horrible at quieting down noise, especially when they're rushing out a product. The Montego interior actually says something compared to the bland LaCrosse interior, but I feel that both exteriors look bland, but the LaCrosse looks 'less' bland, if that makes any sense.

Otherwise, good interview, Tahoe, and I look forward to you continuing to do reviews. It really tells members what they should look at.