As mid-size sport utilities go, the Mountaineer is a brawny beast, its size tempered by its waterfall grille design, multi-element headlamps, and lots of matte aluminum exterior trim, including horizontal cages around the taillamp assemblies.

Mercury has been working hard on color combinations and offers a pleasing pallet. The exterior graphics are straightforward, businesslike block letters. Mountaineer hints at the design direction Mercury is taking with its future products, many of which are due to be introduced as 2005 models.

Mountaineer's big over-or-under door handles can be operated easily with gloved hands, preferable to the small lever-style handles that sometimes snap away from your fingers when you're in a hurry. Optional running boards are convenient for passengers of small stature trying to enter and exit gracefully.