Local prices, engine specs, performance, fuel economy data, reliability and safety listings for every car
sold in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait!
The Grand Marquis is the longest running Mercury-badged
vehicle ever. The mechanical underpinnings date back to the 70s, but a revision
in 2003 involved a new frame, a revised independent front suspension, a new steering rack and rear suspension tuning.
More updates in 2005 included a facelifted exterior, interior trim changes and
more convenience features.
The Grand Marquis is powered by a heavily detuned version of the Mustang's
4.6-litre V8 powerplant, mated to a four-speed automatic. If not obvious yet,
the Grand Marquis is just a rebadged version of the Ford Crown Victoria.
Features include three-person bench seats front and back, optional leather trim, a new instrument panel, burl woodgrain,
a two-tone colour package and standard power windows. It is available in the Middle East in GS, GS Convenience, GS-L, LS Premium, LSE and LS Ultimate trims,
at last count. A handling package, optional on GS and LS series, aims to improve
the boat-like drive with 16-inch aluminium wheels, a 3.27 axle, heavy duty rear stabiliser
bar and rear air suspension with unique springs. Safety features include dual
front airbags and ABS brakes.
Competitors:
Chevrolet Caprice
Hyundai Azera
Toyota Avalon
Price Range
Dhs 80000 - 89000 (US$
21700 - 24200)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1835 -
1861
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
4.6 V8 RWD
4A
224
368
11.3
9.3
200
Good
Interior volume, price, luggage space
Bad
Acceleration, soft handling, outer size
Mercury Mariner
The compact Mariner is the Mercury version of Ford's Escape 4WD, and new for 2008. Utilising a standard five-seater configuration, folding down the rear seats reveals a moderate cargo area with a flat floor. Its smooth ride and car-like handling make for easy driving, as a typical crossover should be. The Mariner also comes standard with illuminated remote entry, power door locks, windows and mirrors, tilt steering column, electric power steering, 16-inch alloy wheels and CD stereo with iPod jack. Available features include leather, power front seats, a power moonroof, cruise control, and parking sensors. The Mariner is the first vehicle to debut the “top of dash” display, Ice Blue Lighting and dials and buttons that “poke-through” the centre console. The centre console is large enough to hold a laptop computer and has three levels of storage space. Safety equipment includes standard side-curtain airbags with AdvanceTrac with the roll stability control system. For the GCC, a 3.0-litre V6 is standard, and it only gets a basic 4-speed automatic. It has all-wheel-drive and decent ground clearance, but it does not have the low range gearing.
Safety features, price, car-like ride, decent space
Bad
Limited off-roader, old engine, cheap cabin finish
Mercury Milan
The Milan is Mercury’s new midsize five-passenger sedan that is designed
to appeal to a younger audience and provides a new entry point to the
Mercury brand, as Mercury’s first vehicle in this segment in more than a decade.
It is based on a modified Mazda 6 platform, but features signature Mercury design cues including
waterfall grille and satin aluminium trim. It is powered by a Mazda-derived
2.3-litre four-cylinder, mated to a 5-speed automatic. The premium interior features upgraded
materials such as leather seats and either Satin Metallic or Wales Mahogany wood
trim, and available two-tone leather seating surfaces with contrast stitching. Standard equipment includes
power windows, electric mirrors, an auxiliary audio
input jack, fold-down passenger seat, front-seat side airbags, side-impact air
curtains, ABS brakes, traction control, and a security package highlighted
by side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags for all rows, and an
anti-theft alarm system. Options include some sort of appearance package, rear spoiler,
and more.
Competitors:
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Toyota Camry
Price Range
Dhs 75000 -
85000 (US$ 20400 - 23200)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1417
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
2.3 I4 FWD
5A
160
211
8.7
9.4
210
Good
Nice
styling, good interior space, handling
Bad
Basic
engine choice, no rear a/c, unknown brand
Mercury Montego
The Montego is the Mercury version of Ford's Five Hundred fullsizer, offering pretty much the same deal as its twin. Based on a
Volvo platform, this American model features slightly different front and rear designs than the Ford, with an identical cabin as well as the standard 3.5-litre V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic. The standard model is front-wheel-drive, but all-wheel-drive is optional. Features include ABS brakes, traction control, keypad autolock, power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, eight cupholders, CD stereo with MP3 audio jack, anti-theft system, and optional tyre pressure monitoring system. Higher models include dual-zone a/c, memory power seats, leather, fake wood trim and more. Available options include
heated front seats, 18-inch chrome wheels, adjustable pedals, stability control, sunroof, reverse sensors, in-dash six-disc CD audio system and other items. Standard safety equipment includes dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side airbags for driver and front passenger, and side curtain airbags for both rows.
Competitors:
Chevrolet Caprice
Chrysler 300C
Toyota Avalon
Price Range
Dhs 105000 - 120000 (US$ 28600 -
32600)
Body Styles
4-door sedan
Weight (kg)
1656 -
1734
Version
Performance
Engine
Gearbox
Power (hp)
Torque (Nm)
Fuel Econ (l/100km)
0-100 kph (sec)
Top Speed (kph)
3.5 V6 FWD/4WD
6A
263
337
10.2-11.5
7.5-8.0
200*
Good
Big on the inside, premium cabin, safety, ride
Bad
Big on the outside, dull
styling, uninspiring drive
Mercury Mountaineer
The Mountaineer is supposed to be a more upscale version of the Ford Explorer,
and it certainly looks like it from the outside. It shares its structure and most major components with the Explorer,
but apparently it shares a lot of the interior as well, thus diminishing brand
differences. The Mountaineer is also powered by the Explorer's 4.0-litre V6,
mated to a five-speed automatic, but it loses low-range gearing for its
four-wheel-drive system The interior theoretically offers seating for up to eight people
with three rows of seats, with a third-row seat that can fold flat. Standard interior features include a CD stereo, power windows and mirrors,
available CD changer and sunroof, cruise control, available leather upholstery,
and standard alloy wheels. The Mountaineer also builds on Ford's strong safety
offerings, offering standard AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, ABS brakes,
dual front airbags and a tyre-pressure monitoring system, while the Safety Canopy side-curtain airbag system is optional.
