2008 Mercury Milan

(*est. $18,965 to $25,770)

Pros

Value
Top marks for safety and reliability
Sporty ride
Roomy cabin

Cons

Lack of available stability control
Engine noise
Spotty transmission performance
Climate controls are awkward
Turning circle wider than expected

Our Analysis

Consumer Reports magazine typically conducts thorough road testing and owner surveys of the 2008 Mercury Milan'. ConsumerGuide.com follows a similar formula, but its editors report results in a primarily numerical format. Motor Trend magazine and Edmunds.com offer road-test reviews on the Mercury Milan. Car and Driver magazine offers a brief capsule-style review, while Cars.com highlights the 2008 Milan as one of the year's "Best Bets."

The 2008 Mercury Milan has a sportier ride quality and handling yet retains the superior cabin size associated with the Ford Fusion. The Milan posts admirable crash-test results and has exceptional forward visibility. Fuel efficiency is good, and first-year reliability has been a notable asset. Several sources point out that the lack of available stability control is "a glaring omission" though, and some also indicate that engine noise is an issue, particularly with the V-6. Reviewers use the term "awkward" quite often to describe climate controls; other issues include the Milan's turning circle, which is a bit wide for a car its size. And the trunk, -- while spacious, -- is somewhat shallow. Reviews say that more expensive competitors such as the Honda Accord (*est. $20,360 to $28,060) and Toyota Camry (*est. $18,720 to $28,270) surpass the Milan in quality and performance. But they also note that buyers can get a fully loaded Milan for less than a similarly equipped Camry or Accord.

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2008 Mercury Milan

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

One of the best components of Consumer Reports' review is its analysis of future reliability, based on data gleaned from past-model-year owner surveys. Consumer Reports' testing also measures ride quality, handling and safety.

Review: 2008 Mercury Milan Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com ranks vehicles against a class average based on road-testing performance. The 2008 Mercury Milan's overall score is about average for the midsize class, but its strong numbers in comparative value earn the Milan a "Recommended" label.

Review: 2008 Mercury Milan Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 16 2008

3. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors note that the Milan has mainly been surpassed in speed and refinement by some other midsize sedans, but they add that the Milan has enough going for it to warrant consideration.

Review: 2008 Mercury Milan Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

4. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

The Mercury Milan's 2006 debut earns it a spot on Motor Trend's Car of the Year roster. Judges agree that the Milan looks and drives like a slightly more-upscale version of its sister model, the Ford Fusion, which was one of 10 finalists for the award.

Review: 2006 Motor Trend COTY Contender: 2006 Mercury Milan, Editors of Motor Trend

5. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver offers a brief write-up on the 2008 Mercury Milan. Editors say the Milan is an attractive car with good fuel economy, but fit, finish and odd control placement are downsides.

Review: 2008 Mercury Milan Editors of Car and Driver

6. Cars.com

Although the 2008 Mercury Milan is criticized for its "lack of personality," editors still say it's a "Best Bet."

Review: 2008 Mercury Milan, Editors of Cars.com

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