Mercury's 2002 Mountaineer, already a more luxurious edition of its cousin Explorer, improves both its features list as well as its ride. Engines are either a 4.0-liter V6with 210 horsepower or a 4.6-liter V8 with 240 ponies. The Mountaineers new independent rear suspension has a unique porthole-in-frame design creating a 7 inch drop in the rear floor - ergo a third-row seat - and a ground clearance of 9.2 inches. Other side-effects include dramatically better road handling and ride - thanks to improvements in noise, vibration and harshness.

There's nothing harsh about its new design as well. Sleeker on the outside and smoother on the inside - standard six-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and heated exterior mirrors. Good options include side curtain airbags, rollover protection sensors, and a new AdvanceTrac traction/stability control system (coming soon). If you're in the market for an upscale SUV, you owe it to yourself to test drive the highly enhanced Mountaineer.

- Editor

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