What Is It?
2004 Mercury Monterey
What's Special About It?
Mercury has needed something, anything, new for a long time now. Rumors of its demise seem to be way out of line as the brand is set to launch no fewer than four new products over the next few years. While anything new at Mercury is an encouraging sign, its Villager minivan was probably the clearest indication that Ford had all but forgotten about the once proud Mercury name.
The Monterey is an all-new minivan, and Mercury's first long-wheelbase van, but its appearance could be mistaken for a modestly restyled Windstar.. In keeping with Mercury's new design direction pioneered by the 2002 Mountaineer, the Monterey nicely incorporates aluminum accents front and back and a U-shaped design element surrounding the grille. Stacked headlights and deep-set foglights also announce the Monterey's Mercury identity.
Inside, the Monterey is suitably luxurious and decked out in plenty of leather, chrome-rimmed gauges and satin aluminum with an available premium audio/DVD system. The Monterey comes with fold-into-floor third-row seating and flip-forward second-row seats, and offers options like heated and cooled seats, front and rear park assist and plenty of creative storage compartments. To keep the interior quiet and free of vibration, the Monterey has a stiffer body and extra sound-deadening materials.
Mercury names safety as one of its key priorities, and backs up the claim with a segment exclusive Safety Canopy that offers protection for all three rows of passengers.
Power comes from a 4.2-liter V6 that makes 201 horsepower. The V6 is hooked up to a four-speed automatic transmission and the Monterey has four-wheel disc brakes.
Why Should You Care?
Mercury used to be a company known for affordable luxury vehicles. If it can recapture that formula and apply it to the Monterey, its new minivan could prove a worthy alternative to vans like the cushy Chrysler Town and Country. — Brian Moody
2004 Mercury Monterey
What's Special About It?
Mercury has needed something, anything, new for a long time now. Rumors of its demise seem to be way out of line as the brand is set to launch no fewer than four new products over the next few years. While anything new at Mercury is an encouraging sign, its Villager minivan was probably the clearest indication that Ford had all but forgotten about the once proud Mercury name.
The Monterey is an all-new minivan, and Mercury's first long-wheelbase van, but its appearance could be mistaken for a modestly restyled Windstar.. In keeping with Mercury's new design direction pioneered by the 2002 Mountaineer, the Monterey nicely incorporates aluminum accents front and back and a U-shaped design element surrounding the grille. Stacked headlights and deep-set foglights also announce the Monterey's Mercury identity.
Inside, the Monterey is suitably luxurious and decked out in plenty of leather, chrome-rimmed gauges and satin aluminum with an available premium audio/DVD system. The Monterey comes with fold-into-floor third-row seating and flip-forward second-row seats, and offers options like heated and cooled seats, front and rear park assist and plenty of creative storage compartments. To keep the interior quiet and free of vibration, the Monterey has a stiffer body and extra sound-deadening materials.
Mercury names safety as one of its key priorities, and backs up the claim with a segment exclusive Safety Canopy that offers protection for all three rows of passengers.
Power comes from a 4.2-liter V6 that makes 201 horsepower. The V6 is hooked up to a four-speed automatic transmission and the Monterey has four-wheel disc brakes.
Why Should You Care?
Mercury used to be a company known for affordable luxury vehicles. If it can recapture that formula and apply it to the Monterey, its new minivan could prove a worthy alternative to vans like the cushy Chrysler Town and Country. — Brian Moody
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