2010 Mercury Milan Review

PROS  Exceptional fuel economy, User-friendly interior, Lots of safety features

CONS  Smalish trunk, Limited head room, Touchy brakes

The Mercury Milan is the oft-forgotten cousin of the Ford Fusion. The two share engines and chassis and compete against midsize stalwarts like the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. Both Milan and Fusion come only as four-door sedans and are freshened for 2010. New features for this year include new interior and exterior styling, a gas-electric hybrid model, more powerful engines, and new safety features.

Milan returns in Base and Premier trim. Standard engine is a 2.5-liter 175-horsepower four cylinder. It replaces a 160-horsepower 2.3-liter four. Optional on Premier is a 3.0-liter V6, which gains 19 horsepower for 2010 for a total of 240. The four-cylinder comes with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 comes standard with the six-speed automatic.

The new Milan Hybrid utilizes a 2.5-liter and an electric motor to generate 191 horsepower. A unique continuously variable transmission allows Milan to run on electric power, gas power, or a combination of the two. Like other hybrids, there's no need to plug as the battery is charged when cruising and coasting.

Front-wheel drive remains standard on all models. All-wheel drive is optional on the Premier when equipped with the V6.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability control, tire-pressure monitor, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Optional are a reverse-sensing system, blind-spot alert, and cross-traffic warning, and rear-view monitor.

The Base retails for $21,180 and includes air conditioning, leather-wrapped tilt-telescope steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons, cloth seating surfaces, six-way power driver seat, split-folding rear seat, center console, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, illuminated visor mirrors, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with six speakers and auxiliary input jack, cap less fuel filler, keyless entry, Sirius satellite radio with six-month pre-paid subscription, rear-window defroster, anti-theft system, alloy wheels, and 205/60R16 all-season tires.

Premier has a list price of $24,320 and adds to the Base six-speed automatic transmission, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, floor mats, fog lamps, automatic dimming rear-view mirror with compass, eight-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, upgraded interior trim, and 225/50R17 tires.

Milan Hybrid starts at $27,500 and adds to the Premier 110-volt power point, six-disc CD changer, SmartGauge(tm) with EcoGuide, reverse sensing system, unique interior trim and exterior badging, and unique alloy wheels. Deleted is the folding rear seat.

Options include leather interior, Sony sound system, voice-operated navigation system, sunroof, and remote engine start. The Milan is assembled in Mexico and carries a $725 destination charge.

Get Up and Go  Forget what you've heard about hybrids up to this point. Milan's hybrid's powertrain is so well integrated that, other than the extra dashboard graphics that explain how the system is working, it is hard to tell anything unusual is going on under the hood at all. Mash your foot down on the accelerator and Milan Hybrid will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than nine seconds and do it with the smoothness you've come to expect from V6-powered midsize cars. It scoots off the line and offers above-average passing response.

You don't have to do anything special when driving the Milan Hybrid. The unique drivetrain reacts quickly to provide a good balance of power and economy. If you want to get the best economy, you have to drive with a light throttle foot and employ some "hypermiling" techniques like maintaining even throttle pressure, coasting up to red lights and stop signs, closing the windows at high speeds, and minimize the use of heater or air conditioning. You'll also need to keep one eye on the road and another on the dashboard because there's an indicator that will tell you how quickly you can accelerate and still stay in electric-only mode.

With a near-infinite number of ratios available, the continuously variable transmission takes some getting used to. Unlike a conventional automatic, the Milan's transmission seamlessly alters gear ratios to best take advantage of the gas engine or electric motor for optimum performance or maximum fuel economy. To drivers expecting a big kick in passing situations, this type of transmission seems slow to deliver power, but the upside is that there's absolutely no shift shock.

You might think that the EPA mixed up the fuel economy numbers of Milan Hybrid. It's EPA rated at 41 mpg city and 36 mph highway. That's because the Milan's hybrid powertrain is most efficient when stopping and starting. In steady highway driving, the electric motor provides little assist and the gas engine doesn't have the opportunity to shut off to save fuel.

Surprisingly, those ratings hold up in real world driving and might even be a little conservative. Maximizing hypermiling techniques in urban driving you might be able to average more than 45 mpg. In careful highway cruising, 40 mpg is the norm--impressive to say the least.

On the Road  All models in the Milan lineup have a sporty, import-flavored ride. Undue body motions are kept in check and there's adequate compliance over large bumps. Overall, the ride closely mimics the controlled comfort offered by cars like the Accord and Nissan Altima rather than the soft float found on cars like the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry.

The firm but compliant ride translates into pleasant predictable front-drive handling characteristics. There's little body lean in fast turns and decent grip from the tires when taking freeway on ramps. If pushed hard, the Milan's front tires give up grip first and the car will understeer like most front-drivers.

Milan Hybrid's electric steering feels very natural, is nicely weighted at all speeds, and has subtle control in highway cruising. Brakes have ample stopping power, but smooth stops are hampered by an abrupt change in pressure at about five mph. You notice this more in gradual stops than when coming to a quick "panic" stop.

One drawback is an extremely wide turning circle. This is most frustrating when pulling in and out of parking spaces and navigating around tight-quarters parking garages. All in all, the Milan offers sporty--albeit safe and predictable--handling, good ride comfort, and a solid feel on the road.

Milan Hybrid is a quiet midsize sedan, as there's little wind noise, even at high speeds, and road and tire noise are kept well in check and on par with competitors.

Behind the Wheel  Inside, Milan doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill family sedan. The interior has an upscale feel with lots of soft-touch materials, upscale fittings, and plenty of brushed aluminum trim. Gauges are large and easy to read and controls are clearly marked, logically placed, and within easy reach.

The Hybrid gets a unique instrument cluster that's very crisp and ultra easy to read. It's also adjustable so that you can show lots of information about the hybrid system or minimize that information. There's a cleaver little digital vine that grows on the right side of the IP that helps driver's get the best fuel economy.

Surprisingly comfortable and supportive front bucket seats offer ample leg room for large adults. Head room is just average, perhaps a bit tight if you order the optional sunroof. Standard tilt and telescope steering wheel makes it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel, and large windows and a low beltline contribute to excellent outward visibility.

The blind-spot detection system works well to alert drivers when changing lanes. The cross-traffic warning system takes a little getting used to, but also alerts drivers to potential cross traffic when backing up.

Rear seats are adult sized and comfortable. Regardless of front seat position, two 6-foot adults are able to sit in comfort in the back seat. Taller riders will want more head and leg room, but overall Milan offers more than class competitive rear-seat room.

Perhaps the only drawback to Milan's hybrid powertrain is found in a reduction in trunk capacity. Run-of-the-mill Milans have a large trunk that is deep and aided by standard split-folding rear seats and space-saving non-intrusive trunklid hinges. Hybrids lose the fold down seats and see cargo space nearly halved because of the placement of the battery pack. Interior storage is ample, highlighted by a large glovebox and several additional bins on the dashboard and center console.

Bottom Line  The new Milan and its stablemate at Ford are exceptional midsize sedans. They aren't as big as some, but are more than right sized for the needs of the typical American family. In addition the SYNC communication system is worth the price of admission for the technically challenged. It simplifies cell phone, iPod, and navigation operation to the point that you don't even have to open the owner's manual.

Milan Hybrid is an interesting proposition for a whole different set of reasons. It's has most of the virtues of the conventional model and returns exceptional fuel economy. As with most hybrids, there's a price premium. So, you need to consider your needs carefully before jumping at the increased economy--especially if you place a premium on cargo capacity.

Overall, prices are well within the class norm, making Milan a very interesting alternative to typical selections like Malibu, Accord, Altima, and Camry. Since the midsize marketplace is so competitive, dealers should be willing to bargain and that makes Milan even more appealing.