December 8, 2005


New Mercury Milan offers style and affordability

By Sean Eastwood
Special to the Times

The all-new Mercury Milan mid-size sedan has arrived at dealer showrooms priced to compete with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord models. The new Milan is more like a Lexus ES 330 in comfort and performance and equipment.

Modern, stylish, and affordable, the new four-door Milan is built on the popular Mazda 6 platform with a staring price of $18,995.

Modern, stylish, and affordable, the new four-door Milan is built on the popular Mazda 6 platform with a staring price of $18,995, and $21,995 for the V-6 version. These prices are thousands less than some Honda and Camry models. The Milan is more like a sport sedan than the average mid-size Camry or Accord.

The Milan attracts attention with its modern styling considering it is a family sedan. It seats five adults comfortably, with a decent amount of legroom, even in the rear seat, while the interior looks expensive. The Milan doesn’t feel small on the inside, despite its compact exterior dimensions.

The Milan is rated at 160 horsepower with 160 foot-pounds of torque. Four-cylinder models come with a five-speed manual transmission, and a five-speed automatic is available. EPA ratings are about 23 miles per gallon city and 31 mpg on the highway. The V-6 will probably be the considered option, and it does not take a huge mileage drop, with 21 city and 29 highway. It puts out 221 horsepower and 205 foot-pounds of torque, which puts it just above the base Camry V-6 engine. The V-6 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in eight seconds, and also has better fuel economy than the Camry.

Milan options
All Milan models feature a six-way power driver’s seat, a CD-equipped audio system, an analog clock, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks, and power heated exterior mirrors. Options include a Safety and Security package ($595, included on our test car) with side-impact air curtains, side-impact air bags and a perimeter anti-theft system; antilock brakes; power moon roof; premium AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 player with six speakers; and an even better Audiophile AM/FM six-disc CD/MP3 player with eight speakers. The premier edition includes the mid-level audio system, leather seats, anti-lock brakes, and 17-inch machined-aluminum wheels.

Ford says that the Milan is for consumers who “don’t want something they will also see in their neighbor’s driveway.” They want premium features, but without the luxury price tag.”

All of the 2006 Milan models come with front-wheel drive, but next year Ford will add an all-wheel-drive option. Unfortunately, the hybrid models will not arrive until 2008.