The Mercury Milan is the sister to Ford's Fusion, and it benefits from a thoughtful redesign for 2010.
The Milan is a 4-door sedan available in either Base or Premier trim and powered by one of three engines--a standard 2.5-liter inline-4 putting out 175 horsepower, an optional 3.0-liter V6 delivering 240 horsepower, or a 2.5-liter gas/electric hybrid, with 156 horses available from the combustion engine and 35 coming from the permanent magnet electric motor.
Mercury claims its Hybrid Milan to be the most fuel efficient midsize sedan in America, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The unique SmartGauge with EcoGuide provides real-time information in several categories in relation to how the car is being driven, while regenerative braking captures 94% of the energy used under braking and applies it to charging the system's nickel-metal hydride battery.
Four-cylinder Milans are front-wheel drive and utilize either a standard 6-speed manual or available 6-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 Milan is available only with the 6-speed automatic. The Milan Hybrid utilizes a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on the V6.
A power 6-way driver seat is standard on the Milan, as is a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and single-zone manual climate control. An AM/FM CD stereo with MP3 capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, satellite radio and heated exterior mirrors are also standard. Premier models add refinement in the way of more seating controls, heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment and ambient lighting. Hybrid Milans are equipped largely as Premier models, though they add a 6-disc CD changer and have a fixed rear seat.
The Milan does not lack for safety features. Standard across the range are dual stage front, side-impact, and side-curtain airbags, as well as the SOS Post-Crash Alert System, which sounds the horn and flashes the lights in the event of an airbag deployment.
Sophisticated Styling
Comfortable Ride
Roomy Interior
Excellent Fuel Economy (hybrid)
Ample Power (V6)
The Mercury Milan has undergone some significant changes for 2010. Chief among them is the addition of a new gas/electric hybrid model to the lineup, which Mercury claims will deliver 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway, making it the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America.
Elsewhere in the Milan model range, the standard 4-cylinder gets a bump in displacement from 2.3 to 2.5 liters, helping horsepower climb from 160 to 175. The 3.0-liter V6 jumps from 221 horsepower to 240. Both engines boast improved fuel economy.
Exterior styling has been refined to offer a more sophisticated, up-market appearance, while interiors sport a more contemporary look with metallic finishes and an all-new instrument panel. The Milan starts around $21,000, with the hybrid priced at $27,500.
The redesigned Mercury Milan ups the ante among midsize sedans. With a new hybrid model delivers over 40 mpg in the city, as well as a new 4-cylinder and revised V6 promise more power and better efficiency. All improvements that indicate the Milan is aimed squarely at the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
