2000 Mercury Mountaineer

By Bob Storck

Mercury was wise to wait to introduce the Mountaineer and take advantage of the V8 option for the Explorer, and then the delayed full time AWD. This was the only configuration in which the Mercury Mountaineer was initially offered, but last year the German built single overhead cam V6 was also added. That vehicle is based on the selection of most of the premium components from the Explorer checklist, and has a distinctive waterfall grille.

It gets an overhaul again next year that will further differentiate it from the Explorer. Upscale packages such as the Monterrey version will all have enough wood and leather to keep a few tanneries and mills in business.