Mercury Monterey

The current Mercury Monterey It fills the gap in the Mercury lineup left after the cancellation of the Mercury Villager in 2002. Despite Mercury being a semi-luxury brand, the Monterey is a luxury minivan, whereas the Villager wasn't. Due to poor sales 2007 will be the last year for the Mercury Monterey and Ford Freestar at this time it is unclear what will replace the Monterey and Freestar. The Mercury Monterey has a 201 hp 4.2 L V6 that as of 2007 has the most torque in the minivan class. It comes in just 1 trim level: Luxury. Unique features of the Monterey include available heated/cooled front seats, power sliding doors, a DVD player, a stowable and tailgating 3rd row seat.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Mercury Monterey Review.

Recent Changes
Six new exterior colors are the only changes for 2007.

Styles and Major Options
The Monterey is only available in one Trim, Luxury. This fits its marketing as an upscale version of the Ford Freestar.

Standard Features
 * Front and Rear Sensing Systems
 * Fold-flat third row bench seat with tailgate seat
 * Power Adjustable Pedals
 * Dual Zone Front Climate Control and Rear Auxiliary Climate Control
 * AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer Stereo
 * Front Row Center Console
 * Dual Power Sliding Rear Side Doors
 * Privacy Glass
 * Remote Keyless Entry
 * 6-way Power Driver's Seat
 * Second Row Bucket Seats
 * 16" Machined Aluminum Wheels

Please see the Mercury Monterey website for complete package listings and details.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Warranty
Bumper to Bumper: 36 months/36,000 miles Major Components: 60 months/60,000 miles Rust Through: 60 months/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance: 60 months/60,000 miles

Safety
Standard Safety Features
 * Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags
 * 1st, 2nd and 3rd Row Curtain Airbags
 * Driver and Front Passenger Airbags
 * 4-wheel Disc Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
 * Perimeter Alarm System

The NHTSA has conducted crash tests of the 2007 Monterey, although full scores are not available. The ratings listed below are for the mechanically identical 2006 model. The full scores are available at safercar.gov.

Colors
 

Main Competitors

 * Buick Terraza
 * Chrysler Town and Country
 * Hyundai Entourage

Hybrid Models
If there are hybrid versions of this vehicle manufactured, then please elaborate a little bit on it here.

Unique Attributes

 * Satin Waterfall Grille.

Resale Values
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Criticisms

 * Some say the Mercury Monterey is unrefined and not up to par with the competition.

Design quirks and oddities

 * Like all Mercury's the Monterey has a Satin Finish Front Grille.

Awards

 * Mercury Monterey was awarded the safest van from (2004-2006)

Origins

 * The Monterey model first appeared in 1950 and continued production until 1974, after which all full size Mercurys took the Marquis name. This earlier iteration of Monterey was as a fullsize passenger automobile.


 * The 1968 Mercury Monterey convertible is the car that Green Day use in the videos "Holiday" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". The same car was "pimped out" when Green Day appeared at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.


 * The 1968 Mercury Monterey's twin was the Mercury Park Lane Convertible.


 * Only 1,315 Monterey 1968 convertibles were made.

Production

 * Since the Monterey went on sale fall of 2003 it has sold exactly (32,079) as of April 2007.

Slow Sells and Discontinuation

 * Due to slow sales the 2007 Model Year will be the Final Year for the Mercury Monterey and Ford Freestar. And at this time it is unclear if there will be a replacment for the Monterey.