The 2007 Mercury Montego, first introduced in 2005,
is a large and roomy sedan. A few key features have been added to the
Montego for 2007: Traction control along with side curtain and side-impact airbags. The Montego
midsize premium sedan can be equipped with either front- or all-wheel drive; it
is powered by a 203-hp V6. The all-wheel-drive system can automatically
distribute up to 100 percent of traction to the rear wheels. Safety is a top
priority on the Montego and it was engineered specifically with safety in mind.
In fact, its basic structure was designed by Volvo. The Montego gives the
driver a relatively high seating position and, consequently, excellent outward
vision. Mercury styling cues, such as the waterfall-style grille and LED
tail lamps with metal crossbars, do a good job of distinguishing the Montego
from the Ford Five Hundred, which shares its structure and most hardware. The Montego has a luxurious cabin, premium features and trim, and a smooth,
comfortable ride. The brakes are excellent, responding quickly when the pedal is
pressed.
2007 Lineup
Base and Premier trim levels are offered on the
2007 Montego. Base FWD and AWD come with dual-zone electronic climate control,
six-way power driver's seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat, split-fold rear
seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, two 12-volt power points, AM/FM stereo with
single CD player, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with remote audio controls
and cruise control, remote keyless entry, folding heated power exterior mirrors,
power windows and door locks, passive anti-theft system, 17-inch seven-spoke
wheels, automatic high-intensity discharge headlamps, LED tail lamps, and fog
lamps. All-speed traction control is standard with AWD and optional with FWD.
Cloth upholstery is standard.
Premier FWD and AWD feature leather upholstery,
heated front seats, a power passenger seat, a memory function for the power
seats, mirrors and adjustable pedals, a leather-wrapped shift knob, overhead
console with Homelink, wood grain interior appliqués, remote perimeter lighting,
a 6CD changer and subwoofer, a trunk cargo net, and 18-inch 15-spoke alloy
wheels. Traction control is standard with both FWD and AWD. A new navigation
system is available for 2007 Premier models.
Montego Powertrain
The Montego's all-aluminum V6 engine features
drive-by-wire electronic throttle control and is complemented by a six-speed
automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and does well to choose the right
gear for the driving situation. The all-wheel-drive models come with a
continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is smooth and responsive and
enhances fuel efficiency. The Duratec 3.0-liter V-6 produces 203 horsepower and
207 pounds-feet of torque. Traction control is standard.
Driving a Mercury Montego
The 2007 Mercury Montego is smooth and quiet. Its
Duratec 3.0-liter V6 works well with its wide-ratio, six-speed automatic. The
transmission shifts quietly. The CVT version also performs well, thanks to low
final-drive gearing and computer-optimized ratio changes. However, the
Montego is a big car, and it doesn't do as well when driven hard on bumpyand
winding roads. The suspension, a modified version of the Volvo XC90 setup,
performs fine on smooth or medium-bumpy surfaces. With all-wheel
drive, an electro-hydraulic limited-slip coupling senses a difference in speed
between the front wheels and rear wheels, and it can distribute up to 100
percent of the driving torque to the rear. The 2007 Montego drives heavier than
its Ford sibling, the Five Hundred. The Montego drives confidently at
highway speeds.
Cabin Features - 2007
The Montego can hold five occupants in its cabin, which has upright seating
position that has the feel an SUV. It is among the
roomiest of family sedans with 108.3 cubic feet of interior room; the back
seats lead the category in headroom and knee room. A power driver's seat
and tilt steering wheel are standard. A two-user memory feature stores seat,
pedal and mirror positions in the Premier sedan. Front-row seats are mounted on
top of a cross-car beam that is engineered to enhance safety. The driving
position in the Montego is high off the ground, affording excellent driver
visibility. The seats sit about four inches higher than the seats in the
discontinued Sable. The rear seats are slightly elevated to yield a better view
without impeding the driver's vision. With the 60/40-split second-row seat
folded, the Montego offers 49.9 inches of load floor length. The front passenger
seat also folds flat. The seats are plain, but large and supportive. The
instruments are easy to read and the controls are easy and quick to use. An
analog clock sits in the center of the dashboard. Two cupholders appear in the
front console with two more in the backseat's flip-down armrest. The 2007
Montego's trunk, at 21.2 cubic feet, is also the largest in its class for 2007
models.
Mercury Montego Design
The Montego features the Mercury waterfall-style
grille. Two new exterior colors are available for 2007: Dune Pearl and Alloy
Metallic. High-intensity-discharge headlights and rectangular fog lamps
are installed. Fifteen-spoke alloy wheels on the Premier sedan hold 18-inch
tires, while the Base model rides on 17-inch tires. LED taillamps give quicker
illumination compared to traditional bulbs. Built on a 112.9-inch wheelbase, the
Montego is 200.9 inches long overall and 61.5 inches tall. Low-profile
windshield wipers use a strip of spring steel to press the rubber blade evenly
against the glass. A power moonroof is optional.
Safety
Safety is a top priority with the Montego. All-disc antilock brakes are standard, as are
seat-mounted side-impact airbags and rollover Safety Canopy side curtain airbag
system. A reverse sensing system is optional. Features that you can't see, but
make this a safer vehicle include energy-channeling frame structures engineered
by Ford and Volvo that help absorb crash forces before they reach the passenger
compartment, a strong crossmember in the roof, and an energy-absorbing cross-car
tube that provides exceptional side-impact protection. In AWD models, even the
central driveshaft collapses to protect Montego's occupants by absorbing crash
energy. The Montego was designed to meet tough future standards for
rear-end impacts.
The 2007 Mercury Montego is a wonderful family
sedan that offers space and luxury. Its special safety design would put any
parent's mind at ease. Both transmissions work well and the CVT that comes with AWD models is a vast
improvement over earlier designs because of its electronic controls. Getting in
and out of the car is very easy, and the chair-height seats give excellent
views. The bottom line is the 2007 Montego is a sedan that makes sense in every
way. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 21/29 mpg City/Highway for
front-drive models, while AWD models are rated at 19/26 mpg.