The Mercury brand is sandwiched between Ford and Lincoln in the Ford Motor Company lineup and, as a result, often has an identify crisis. It isn't as luxurious as a Lincoln, but at the same time, it's a step above Ford in terms of design and amenities. The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer is a perfect example; it's really just a well-equipped Ford Explorer, uniquely trimmed. Having an Explorer as a foundation is not a bad place to start, as it is among the best of the truck-based mid-size SUVs.

Mercury builds on its strong pedigree and offers the 2009 Mountaineer as a roomy three-row SUV with V-6 or V-8 power, available all-wheel drive, and original styling that isn't altogether unpleasant. Safety is important in this segment, as the cargo is most likely to have a pulse. The Mountaineer offers canopy side curtain airbags and electronic stability controls to help improve passive and active safety. Government tests indicate that the Mountaineer protects its occupants very well during crashes.