2010 Mercury Milan Car Review

Both restyled and extensively refreshed with new powertrains, the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid are remarkably good mid-size sedans that should be better known than they are. Although they’re mechanically identical to the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid models, the Milan’s cleaner exterior and more stylish interior set it apart, taking it a step up. Starting at $21,860 ($31,915 for the 2010 Milan Hybrid), the Milan line competes in the hotly contested mid-size sedan market with cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Chevrolet Malibu.

There are multiple versions and options for the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, including front- or all-wheel drive, four- or six-cylinder engines, manual or automatic transmissions, and a hybrid model-although not all combinations are available. All-wheel drive, for instance, is available only with the V-6, and if you want a manual gearbox, that limits you to the four-cylinder.

The base 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 175 horsepower, and can be matched with a standard six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter V-6 cranks out 240 hp, and comes only with a standard six-speed automatic-although it offers no manual shifting options besides "drive" and "low." Best fuel economy figures for the standard Milan are 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway for the four-cylinder with the six-speed automatic; specifying the six-speed manual subtracts only 2 mpg from the highway rating. Adding the V-6 engine exacts a penalty, with the front-wheel-drive version rated at 19 mpg, 27 mpg, and the all-wheel drive even lower at 18 mpg city, 25 highway.

The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is the range’s clear fuel economy champion. It’s rated at a stunning 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, for a combined EPA rating of 39 mpg-a much better rating, it’s worth noting, than the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Only available as a high-spec front-wheel-drive model, the hybrid-electric drivetrain pairs a specially modified version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electronically continuously variable transmission (eCVT). Inside this complex piece of equipment are electric motors that can either deliver power or recharge the battery, depending on the demands placed on the car, the battery’s state of charge, and many other variables. The 2010 Milan Hybrid can run in all-electric mode at speeds as high as 47 mph, and it drives "like a regular car," with few of the oddities found in other hybrids. That said, it’s as much a statement as an investment in economy, since it’s fully $10,000 more than a plain-Jane Milan with the four-cylinder and six-speed automatic.

The 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid are notably good on the road, with four-wheel independent suspension providing handling that’s among the best for family sedans. In fact, handling should be a major reason to consider the Milan over blander competitors like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The drive is more engaging, and ride quality is smooth and drama-free, although some reviewers consider the electric power steering numb.

Inside, the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid offer spacious accommodations with ample legroom and lots of space for cargo. Adults fit fine in the rear seats, and all five seats are comfortable. While the interior isn’t quite as luxe-looking as that of a Chevrolet Malibu or Honda Accord, it’s modern and stylish.

Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, as well as side and curtain airbags, are standard on every 2010 Milan and Milan Hybrid. For every trim level, AdvanceTrac electronic stability control is now an option. The Milan 2010 gets a five-star rating for frontal driver and passenger impact tests and driver-side crash protection, along with four stars for passenger side-impact safety, and it’s been named an IIHS "Top Safety Pick."

For 2010, the optional Voga Series trim package takes the car to a new level. Available only on the Premier models, it consists of unique carbon fiber interior trim, leather seats and door inserts of a very stylish cashmere color, and unique Voga badges inside and out. Ambient LED lighting in a variety of colors is available, and Premier Series models come standard with Sirius Satellite Radio.

• Distinctive styling
• Remarkably good roadholding
• High-quality, well-built interior
• Available hybrid model is a standout
• SYNC infotainment system

• Backseat could be larger
• Transmission offers only "D" and "L" options
• Rear seat-back release located in truck

Inside, the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid offer spacious accommodations with ample legroom and lots of space for cargo. It seats four comfortably, five acceptably, in a cabin that Edmunds says has "plenty of room for all passengers." ConsumerGuide agrees, asserting that in the Milan, Mercury features "ample leg and head space for six-footers" in the front. Motor Trend notes that for 2010, "The redesigned seats have more side support and are softer than before." Kelley Blue Book, however, criticizes the center rear seat, noting it has a position that’s "a somewhat hard perch with scant headroom."

Cargo space inside the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid is also noteworthy, and Edmunds considers the Milan Mercury’s "16.5-cubic-foot trunk" to be "one of the largest around," along with a "split-folding rear seat that enables larger items to be carried inside the car." ConsumerGuide notes that overall "cabin storage is good." One surprising omission, however, is a manual trunk release-which makes access to the trunk more complicated than it should be.

Regarding the 2010 Milan interior, Edmunds says, "Mercury has upped the ante with higher-quality materials and a more attractive design" that "compares favorably with rival layouts, featuring an attractive design and improved ergonomics." Kelley Blue Book approves of "the use of satin aluminum finishes and high-quality materials" throughout the cabin, and ConsumerGuide loves the "soft-touch surfaces" and "real metal or wood trim" offered on the Mercury Milan. Edmunds concludes, "The overall look is inviting and appreciably more upscale than what you’ll find in the Fusion." The 2010 Milan lineup should be even quieter than in the past, due to "a number of changes including new headliner materials, hood insulators, and more sound deadening in the trunk," as Motor Trend explains. It all adds up to what ConsumerGuide calls the Mercury Milan’s "generally hushed ride."

All 2010 Milan Hybrid models come with SmartGauge, which Motor Trend describes as "Ford’s high-resolution LCD instrument cluster that drivers can configure to show fuel and battery power levels, average and instant mpg, and a leaves-and-vines graphic that grows when the vehicle is driven efficiently."

There are multiple versions and options for the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, including front- or all-wheel drive, four- or six-cylinder engines, manual or automatic transmissions, and a hybrid model-although not all combinations are available. All-wheel drive, for instance, is available only with the V-6, and if you want a manual gearbox, that limits you to the four-cylinder.

The base 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 175 horsepower, and can be matched with a standard six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter V-6 cranks out 240 hp, and comes only with a standard six-speed automatic-although it offers no manual shifting options besides "drive" and "low."

The new engines improve performance that was formerly no better than average. Motor Trend says, "Performance is improved with the new four; 0-60-60-mph times drop by a full second, to 9.5 seconds." ConsumerGuide reports that V-6-powered Mercury Milans "have good passing and merging power, even with the additional weight of AWD," and Kelley Blue Book adds that "the Milan is eager to pass or merge."

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com approve of the transmission offerings on the 2010 Mercury Milan. ConsumerGuide says "the smooth, responsive six-speed automatic makes the most of the available power," although they would like a "manual-shift mode, which would be useful on hilly roads." Edmunds too wants a manual-shift option on the Milan’s automatic, to "make the car even more attractive to driving enthusiasts."

Fuel economy figures for the standard Milan have improved substantially, to a best-in-class 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway for the four-cylinder with the six-speed automatic. Specifying the six-speed manual subtracts only 2 mpg from the highway rating. Adding the V-6 engine exacts a penalty, with the front-wheel-drive version rated at 19 mpg, 27 mpg, and the all-wheel drive even lower at 18 mpg city, 25 highway.

The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is the range’s clear fuel economy champion. It’s rated at a stunning 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, for a combined EPA rating of 39 mpg-a much better rating, it’s worth noting, than the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Only available as a high-spec front-wheel-drive model, the hybrid-electric drivetrain pairs a specially modified version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electronically continuously variable transmission (eCVT). Inside this complex piece of equipment are electric motors that can either deliver power or recharge the battery, depending on the demands being placed on the car, the battery’s state of charge, and many other variables. The 2010 Milan Hybrid can run in all-electric mode at speeds as high as 47 mph, and it drives "like a regular car," with few of the oddities found in other hybrids. That said, it’s as much a statement as an investment in economy, since it’s fully $10,000 more than a plain-Jane Milan with the four-cylinder and six-speed automatic.

On the road, the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid are adept in corners, and many reviewers are surprised by the Milan’s handling characteristics. The Milan’s four-wheel independent suspension provides handling that’s among the best for family sedans. ConsumerGuide loves the car’s road abilities, proclaiming that the Milan possesses "good balance in turns with modest body lean" and finds that "AWD traction is a boon on slick road."

Handling is a major reason to consider the Milan over blander competitors like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The drive is more engaging, and ride quality is smooth and drama-free, although some reviewers consider the electric power steering numb. Motor Trend notes that "squeezing into the perfect parking space is now easier, thanks to the turning circle, which has been shortened by about one foot." ConsumerGuide concludes it all adds up to an impressive driving experience.

Although it’s mechanically identical to the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid models, the cleaner exterior and more stylish interior of the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid set them apart, taking the Milan a step up the style scale. Its lines are distinct and handsome, though hardly avant-garde.

Most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com approve of the exterior lines of the 2010 Mercury Milan. Cars.com notes that "signature design cues include a waterfall grille and the use of trim with a satin-aluminum finish" on the exterior of the Mercury Milan. And Kelley Blue Book commends the Milan’s "clean, modestly-adorned overall appearance" with "body lines that could be called ’chiseled.’" However, some reviewers, such as those at MotherProof, feel that the Milan "lacks some definition and character,"

Edmunds concludes that the 2010 Mercury Milan is a "sporty midsize family sedan with styling that doesn’t get lost in the crowd" and notes that it is offered in "two trim levels: base and Premier." There’s little stylistic variation between the two versions, but the "Milan Premier adds 17-inch alloy wheels," according to Edmunds.

Inside the 2010 Mercury Milan’s sculpted sheetmetal, ConsumerGuide feels that "Milans have a more upscale look when compared to Fusion and even the premium-midsize Lincoln MKZ." Cars.com says occupants will find "leather upholstery that is complemented by Satin Metallic or Wales Mahogany wood trim." The lighter interior tones lend a luxury ambience to the Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, and Edmunds reports that the "two-tone cabin" on the 2010 Milan is designed "to appeal to young professionals with an allegiance to Ikea-style furnishings."

Buyers of mid-size sedans consider safety to be one of their primary purchase reasons. The Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid should certainly satisfy owners with safety features at least on a par with the competition.

Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, as well as side and curtain airbags, are standard on every 2010 Milan and Milan Hybrid. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Milan 2010 gets a five-star rating for frontal driver and passenger impact tests and driver-side crash protection, along with four stars for passenger side-impact safety. Confirming these outstanding crash-test ratings is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which rates the Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid as "good" (its highest rating) for both frontal offset and side impact tests, and has named it a Top Safety Pick.

In terms of daily driving, ConsumerGuide remarks that "the high seating position contributes to fine outward visibility" on the Mercury Milan, an attribute that will certainly aid in merging and highway situations.

Beyond solid crash-test ratings, the 2010 Mercury Milan offers a variety of safety features. Cars.com lists the standard safety features as including "side-impact and side curtain airbags," along with standard "antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution." For every trim level, AdvanceTrac electronic stability control is an available option.

New for 2010 is an optional blind-spot alert system, which ConsumerGuide says "also incorporates Ford’s ‘Cross Traffic Alert,’ which activates when the transmission is in reverse; it detects any traffic moving toward the vehicle."

The 2010 Mercury Milan boasts a variety of standard and optional features throughout all trim levels that contribute greatly to the car’s appeal. Edmunds notes that the base version includes "16-inch alloys wheels, keyless entry, a trip computer, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat, 60/40-split rear seats, and a six-speaker stereo with CD, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio jack." Those features mean that even the base version "comes nicely equipped," according to Kelley Blue Book. And Motor Trend points out that "Ford’s capless fuel filler system-dubbed Easy Fuel-is standard on all Milans."

Ambient LED lighting in a variety of colors is available, and Premier models come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, power heated front seats, leather upholstery, and the well-reviewed SYNC system, which Edmunds says allows occupants to "operate their cell phones, PDAs, USB storage devices, iPods or other MP3 players using voice commands."

The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid has most of the high-end options, and AutoWeek calls the result "a typical Mercury interior-comfortable, nice leathers, and well-done overall."

Edmunds adds that "a sunroof and reverse parking sensors" are optional on all models, and notes that Premier models can be further customized with "a 12-speaker Sony Sound system with a six-CD changer, a blind-spot warning system, a back-up camera, a rear-deck spoiler, and a voice-activated hard-drive-based navigation system and Sirius Travel Link."

The optional Voga Series trim package takes the 2010 Milan to an even higher level. Available only on the Premier models, it consists of unique two-tone interior trim, leather seats and door inserts of a very stylish cashmere color, chrome wheels, and unique Voga badges inside and out.