Only the distance from carpet to headliner tells you that you're in a van and not a sedan. The dashboard is stylish and modern, and it holds a good supply of easy-to-read instruments (either analog or optional digital). The driving position and seats are comfortable, visibility is excellent, and the whole cabin is finished to a high standard.

One major plus for the Villager is the flexibility of its seating arrangements. Though rated a 7-passenger van, the Mercury offers greater comfort for six or fewer. Depending on the number of occupants, the center and rear seats can be removed, slid forward or backward on their runners, folded, and/or tipped to increase cargo space. Tray tables are molded into each center and rear seatback with the Nautica package, so folding them creates a snug indoor picnic space.

Another Villager attribute is silence. Wind, road and engine noises are all muted to a degree that's especially unusual in a minivan. The perception of quality that a quiet interior creates is further enhanced by the solid feel of the hardware and materials used. The Villager's substance is more than skin-deep, however; it meets all current passenger-car safety standards.

Nice as the Villager's interior is, some of the available options can make it even nicer. Amenities such as power windows and door locks are obvious, but calling for the Light Group also adds electric operation of the rear vent windows. These improve airflow considerably, and the convenience of being able to open and close the vents from the driver's seat can't be overstated.

A van offers a fine acoustic environment for upgraded sound systems, which Mercury is happy to supply - all the way up to a 92-watt audio unit with a CD player and subwoofer speakers.

In addition, all of the Villager's premium sound packages come with a second set of controls and headphone jacks for center-seat passengers.