A family sedan loaded with style
The Milan is to Mercury as Fusion is to Ford. Basically
the same vehicle, Milan has been tweaked to carry
the Mercury theme -the signature waterfall
grille, analog clock, the feeling of service at
a more upscale dealership. It's a vehicle
that looks comfortable parked next to a Lincoln
Navigator on the showroom floor. Though the vehicles
are nearly identical, at $18,995 (including freight)
the Milan costs about $1200 more than the Fusion.
Still, both are thousands less than some Accord,
Sonata and Camry models and both Fusion and Milan
are sportier and more fun to drive.
Like the Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr, Milan is
derived from the Ford's acclaimed Mazda6
platform. Milan and Fusion share the same powertrains
and engine options (base 2.3-liter 160-horsepower
four-cylinder with either a manual or automatic
transmission or a 221-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6
with an excellent six-speed automatic transmission).
The V-6 is the same engine used in the larger
Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, but squeezes
out a bit more horsepower on the Milan and Fusion.
The midsize Milan is a four-door front-wheel-drive
sedan available in two trim levels: base and
Premier. The base Milan has the four-cylinder
engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Mercury expects most buyers will opt for the
V-6 and automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive
Milan is slated for 2007 with a gas/electric
hybrid expected in 2008.
All Milans feature a six-way power driver's
seat, AM/FM/CD audio system, analog clock, remote
keyless entry, power windows, door locks and
heated exterior mirrors. Premier models come
standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels, power
seats, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, cruise
control, and sharp looking two-tone leather seats
with contrasting stitching.
For my weeklong test drive, Mercury furnished
a well-equipped V-6 Premier with the optional
comfort package ($595), including automatic headlamps,
fog lamps, compass and puddle lights on the outside
rearview mirrors. The tester also came equipped
with the safety/security package ($595) with
side curtain airbags, and anti-theft alarm, heated
front seats ($295), traction control ($95) and
an upgraded sound system ($420).
While it's basically the same car, I much
preferred the look and feel of the Milan over
the Fusion. Something about the waterfall grille,
LED tail lamps and satin finish trim on the dash
and door panels made the Milan seem more elegant
and upscale. For the money difference I'd
take the Milan over Fusion.
Inside, the Milan's instrument panel has
nicer gauges, and the satin-metal dash trim is
more appealing than the piano-black Fusion appliqué.
There's a storage bin atop the dash, a
covered storage compartment on the center console,
and map pockets in the front doors and seatbacks.
Despite being eight inches shorter and one inch
narrower than the Sable it replaces, Milan maintains
about the same amount of interior room. Milan
is nine inches shorter and rides on a wheelbase
five inches shorter than the Mercury Montego,
which debuted last year. Milan is built in Hermosillo,
Mexico alongside the Fusion and Zephyr.
The Milan's driving and road handling
characteristics are pleasing and predictable.
There is minimal body roll on curves and corners
and the brakes are excellent, but steering felt
heavy. And like Fusion, the Milan has a wide
turn radius, making parking difficult. Road noise
at highway speeds is more than desired. I thought
Milan could use a little more punch, with a zero-to-60
time of 8.5 seconds for the V-6.
Standard safety equipment is on the lean side
with side-impact and side-curtain airbags optional
and stability control not available. Antilock
brakes are standard as are dual front airbags.
There are no crash test results yet for the Milan
or Fusion nor are there reliability or consumer
quality ratings from either J.D. Power and Associates
or Consumer Reports.
Time will tell how Milan and Fusion will measure
up to Camry, Sonata and Accord relative to quality,
reliability and resale value. Meanwhile, if you're
shopping for a midsize family sedan, I strongly
recommend test-driving the new Milan. From among
the likes of Camry, Accord, Altima and Sonata,
this could be the car to buy. I found much to like
and just a few minor annoyances. If you need to
save a few bucks, Fusion is basically the same
car for less money.
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