Background: The Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company now has an entry to compete in the mid-size sedan category not seen since the departure of the Mystique in the 2000 model year.
Ford Motor Company is rededicating itself to the mid-size sedan segment with a vengeance. The long-running Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable (once built in Chicago) have now departed new-car showrooms. For the 2006 model year, the Mercury Division now offers two mid-size choices: the larger size Montego (automotive twin of the Ford Five Hundred both debuting last year) and today's spotlight, the slightly smaller all-new Milan (sharing underpinnings with the new Ford Fusion). Ford now builds Montego and the Five Hundred in Chicago while the Milan and Fusion are assembled in Hermosillo,Mexico. Ford's upscale Lincoln Division also gets its own version of the smaller mid-size sedan named the Zepher also arriving in the 2006 model year.
The management team from Ford Motor Company has continuously denied rumors circulating in the automotive press concerning the demise of the long-running Mercury nameplate. The banter only increased when General Motors' Oldsmobile Division drove off into the sunset in 2004. In its defense, Mercury has brought out several new products over the past two years including the mid-size Mariner sport utility, Montego, Monterey minivan and now Milan. A great way to squelch pesky rumors about an automotive division's retirement is to introduce fresh investment and new product.
From a corporate marketing standpoint, Mercury falls somewhere between the Ford Division, the volume-leader, and Ford Motor Company's more luxury-appointed Lincoln Division. During much of its existence, Mercury has dealt with an identity crisis of sorts; Mercury desires to be slightly more posh than Ford, but not so much as to overshadow Lincoln.
In a testament to automobile globalization, all three of the smaller mid-size entrants are based on an automotive platform found in the Mazda6 sedan, although Milan is a bit wider and longer than the Mazda6. Ford Motor Company owns a controlling interest in Mazda. The positive spin for Milan is the Mazda6 itself has been well received by consumers and the media alike since its introduction over a year ago. October was the first full month in dealerships for the 2006 Milan, and sales were significantly above initial projections; a bright spot in an otherwise tough month for Mercury andmost other automakers.
Trim levels and engine: The front-wheel-drive Milan offers the choice of an inline four cylinder or V-6 engine. Each engine is available in two trim levels: Base and Premier. The 2.3-liter Duratec I-4 engine generates 160 horsepower while the 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 boosts a horsepower of 221. The four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy; an estimated 23 miles-per-gallon city and 31 m.p.g. highway while the V-6 generates two miles per gallon less in each category.
The four-cylinder engine comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission while a five-speed automatic is optional. The V-6 engine gets pared with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. Regular 87-octane fuel is recommended for the 18-gallon tank. The larger Mercury Montego sedan offers only the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.
In calendar year 2008, Mercury plans on offering a gas-electric hybrid version of Milan generating even better fuel economy. The Milan would be the second hybrid to be offered from Mercury. The mid-sized Mariner Sport utility debuted a hybrid counterpart in the 2006 model year.
Equipment: Popular standard equipment in Milan includes air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; rear reading lights; rear-window defroster; intermittent front windshield wipers: six-way power driver's seat and six-speaker single feed compact disc player with MP3 Player. Options in both trims include power moonroof, aluminum wheels and upgraded stereo. Premier editions add the option of heated front seats and a 'comfort package.'
Price: Mercury dropped off a V-6 Premier trim of the Milan for a test drive with a starting price of $22,845. After adding in such options as heated front seats ($295), upgraded sound system ($420), side curtain air bags ($595) and a comfort package featuring power heated mirrors, fog lamps and leather steering wheel ($595), the bottom line ended up at $24,845 after factoring in a $650 destination charge. This represents one of the most opulently-equipped Milans available.
A base four-cylinder Milan with manual transmission starts at $18,995. Milan also checks in as Mercury's lowest-priced offering in 2006.
The popular mid-size sedan category includes a gaggle of players including the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Pontiac G6 and Honda Accord to name a few. Like the Milan, all these come with a choice of four or six-cylinder engines. Both the 2006 Malibu and 2006 G6 come exclusively with automatic transmission and the lowest-priced four-cylinder models start around $18,000. A 2006 Camry checks in at $20,085 for a four-cylinder with manual transmission while a 2006 redesigned Hyundai Sonata checks in at $18,496 with a manual transmission and four cylinders. A ValuePriced Honda Accord starts around $18,775 with manual transmission and four cylinders. Milan's more mainstream Ford Fusion automotive twin starts a few hundred dollars less than its Mercury counterpart.
Inside: Milan borrows some modern styling cues found in other Ford products including the Freestyle seven-passenger crossover. These include a handy storage bin with retracting cover a top the center dashboard useful for stowing sun glasses, tissues or other items. Our test vehicle included a two-tone black dash with 'satin aluminum' type enhancements. Leather seating surfaces come standard in Premier editions.
A nice touch to Milan is a circular analog clock (the type with hands and a face) in the center of the dashboard for everyone in the vehicle to see.
The sound system design is also found in other Ford products; a rectangular design with good-sized pre-set buttons along the bottom and a digital display window in the middle. At the bottom of the center dashboard rests the ventilation system with buttons controlling temperature settings, blower speed and direction.
The flat instrument panel includes two larger circular analog gauges at each end (tachometer left, speedometer right) with two smaller gauges in between and towards the top. A rectangular digital message center with fuel-to-empty and other information tid bits is also placed between the two larger gauges.
Between front bucket seats is the automatic transmission shifter, dual inline beverage holder and arm/rest storage bin. Headlights monitor from a far left dashboard dial. The center of the steering wheel is home to cruise control and secondary radio controls. Our two-tone interior featured black and silver seats with white stitching serving as a seat trim.
In back, average headroom is coupled with better-than-average leg room. While three average-sized adults could fit in a pinch, two ride in optimal comfort during long stretches. An arm rest with integrated dual cup holders folds down from the center. Ceiling handles adorn all four doors.
The generous 15.6 cubic-foot trunk is nicely designed and incorporates easy-to-grab handles forward and towards the sides to disengage the 60/40 seat backs of the second-row seats. Many times pull-latches are placed deeper in the trunk making unlatching the rear seat backs more of a chore than a pleasure. The low and wide liftover mouth creates an easier entry when lifting bulky items into the trunk. Shock-absorber-type hinges are smartly placed outside the cargo area to eliminate 'trunk scrunch' sometimes found with interior mounted goose neck style hinges.
Outside: One of the critiques bestowed on the larger Mercury Montego and sister Ford Five Hundred during their debut around this time last year was exterior styling tilting in the conservative direction. The same holds true for the new Milan although the gray exterior color of our test vehicle created an elegant ambience.
Milan's front grille consists of a large waterfall-type front grille with vertically-arranged chrome slates and a circular Mercury logo front all coming to a nose. Strap-like, body-colored handles adorn all four side doors. Dual exhausts (on the V-6 edition only) make their presence felt in back.
Warranty: Milan comes with a three-year/36,000-mile (whichever comes first) duration for the drivetrain, and basic warranties. Roadside assistance is covered with the same time frame and mileage restrictions. The rust/corrosion coverage is good for five years with unlimited miles. A smattering of mid-size rivals including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima and Suzuki Forenza have longer powertrain warranties.
Safety features: Mercury developed body structures that direct crash energy away from the passenger compartment, as well as energy-absorbing materials to help protect the vehicle's occupants in the event of a side-impact collision. Side air bags for front-seat passengers as well a curtain airbags for both rows are optional. Also optional are anti-lock brakes and traction control.
Standard elements include dual-stage front air bags, child safety rear door locks, remote keyless entry and anti-theft system.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 107.4 inches
Overall length: 191.4 inches
Overall width: 72.2 inches
Overall height: 57.2 inches
Final thoughts: Milan tilts more towards an elegant-driving experience rather than a sports-tuned sedan. It offers a good driving feel wrapped in a smartly conservative design. Mercury engineers have also spent time insulating Milan, creating a quieter interior than what's found in other Mercury vehicles and several mid-sized competitors. |