2006 Mercury Milan Review

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord sedans have dominated the lucrative mid-size American car market for years, although the Ford Taurus sedan was No. 1 for several years.

The aged Taurus will be phased out late in the 2006 model year. But Ford Motor is introducing a trio of completely new, similar 2006 sedans to make a splash in the large mid-size market.

The front-drive autos are the Ford Fusion at the entry level end, Mercury Milan in the middle and Lincoln Zephyr at the top. They're all essentially the same and have crisp styling that helps set them off from their generally amorphous competitors.

These are the first new Ford Motor mid-size cars in years. Ford concentrated on trucks instead of high-volume mid-size cars, while Japanese automakers passed it and other U.S. automakers to take the lead in the mid-size market.

The Ford Motor trio arrive just in time because Ford needs a financial boost, and an increasing number of people are switching from trucks to cars, caused partly by higher gasoline prices. Such prices look as if they'll stay high for a while and the new Ford Motor cars are generally fuel-stingy.

The Fusion is due to replace the Taurus, and the Milan is the replacement for the Mercury Sable. The Zephyr fits just below the larger, costlier Lincoln LS.

The Ford Motor trio is made in a highly rated Mexican plant and is partially based on the fun-to-drive Mazda6 sedan from Ford Motor's Mazda affiliate. The Mazda6 has a rigid chassis and four-wheel independent suspension, which makes it a good candidate right off the bat to be above-average.

The Fusion, Milan and Zephyr are several inches longer and wider than the Mazda6 because Ford Motor thought more room was needed. A longer wheelbase results in a smoother ride and roomier back seat, compared with the Mazda6 -- but also handling that's not quite as crisp as the Mazda6's.

The Fusion and Milan are offered with a sophisticated 2.3-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine and an equally advanced 3-liter V-6 with 221 horsepower. The Zephyr only comes with the smoother V-6.

The four-cylinder works with either a five-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic transmission and the V-6 comes only with a six-speed automatic. (All-wheel-drive arrives late next year and a hybrid gas-electric version is scheduled to debut in 2008.)

Both the Fusion and Milan are rated at 23 mpg city and 31 highway with the four-cylinder and manual transmission and at 21 and 29 with the V-6 and automatic. The heavier Zephyr is rated at 20 and 28.

The Fusion comes in several trim levels and lists for $17,145 to $21,710, while the Milan also offers several versions and goes for $18,345 to $22,845. The Zephyr comes in only one trim level and costs $28,995.

The Milan is a higher-line version of the Fusion, with different front styling. The Zephyr also has its own front styling. All possess a good amount of standard equipment, but the Zephyr is the best-equipped model with the most lavish interior.

I tested the top-line Milan Premier V-6 because it sits smack in the middle of the Fusion-Milan-Zephyr lineup. The three cars will essentially drive the same way because they share many mechanical components.

Mercury says the Milan is aimed mainly at "young professionals'' who don't want a "cookie-cutter sedan" (spell Camry and Accord), but don't want a "brash or showy'' sedan (spell Pontiac Grand Prix and Infiniti G35). The Milan is Mercury's most affordable model and represents a "large growth opportunity.''

The Milan is named after the fashionable Italian city and has Mercury's signature "waterfall'' grille and an understated look that is less aggressive than the Fusion's. Even the Milan's bright dual exhaust outlets are deftly placed under the rear bumper so they don't give a hot rod look.

The top-line Premiere V6 version I tested had an upscale interior with two-tone leather upholstery with contrast stitching. You can get the interior with metallic or mahogany wood trim finishes. But front seats needed more lateral support during spirited driving through curves.

The quick power steering is rather heavy during parking maneuvers and at low speeds and is best appreciated for its secure feel above 50 mph. Handling is sharp, and the rather firm ride is well-controlled and feels almost "European'' -- although some bumps can be felt. The brake pedal has a smooth, linear action to prevent jerky stops.

The Milan is plenty fast with the V-6, which works with the responsive six-speed automatic transmission and loafs at 2,000 rpm at 65 mph. Gauges have a custom, European look on the crisply designed dashboard, which has easily worked controls for the audio and climate control systems. The covered front console bin is deep, but only large enough to carry smaller objects.

The sturdy center rear seat is too hard for comfort.

Big, easily grasped door handles help make it easy to get in the quiet interior, and four adults fit comfortably. Front doors have storage pockets with beverage holders, and rear windows roll down almost all the way.

The interior feels airy, but a driver must be careful when backing up because he can't see where the rear of the car ends or what's immediately behind it.

Options include $295 heated front seats for the Premier, a $795 power sunroof, $95 traction control system with the V-6 and a $595 Safety and Security Package with front side air bags and front-rear side curtain air bags.

The Milan has a long, deep trunk, with a low, wide opening. Its lid smoothly pops up well out of the way on hydraulic struts, but there's no interior strap or grip to help close it without getting hands dirty on its outside metal. Rear seatbacks flip forward and sit fairly flat to enlarge the cargo area.

The heavy hood is held open by just a prop rod, but at least the engine doesn't have an ugly plastic cover. Fluid filler areas, such as the one for engine oil, don't call for stretches around a hot engine to reach.

"We have no illusions that Camry and Accord owners will immediately rush out and buy a Fusion, Milan or Zephyr,'' a Ford spokesman said. But the trio have carefully thought-out designs and should do OK. 

2006 MERCURY MILAN 

PRICES
$18,345-$22,845

LIKES
Crisp styling. Roomy. Good handling. Controlled ride.

DISLIKES
Can feel some bumps. Only a prop rod for heavy hood.