Mercury Milan Hybrid
Mercury Milan Hybrid
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid ranks 1 out of 21 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 4 published reviews and test drives of the Mercury Milan Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is a very close cousin to the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - and many reviewers call the pair the best hybrid sedans available. With fuel economy only a step below the 2010 Toyota Prius, the practicality of a family sedan, cabin electronics unmatched in its class and an enjoyable driving experience, these are are both practical and enjoyable midsize cars.
Brand new for 2010, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan hybrid have won raves from the automotive press. The two cars are almost identical. The Milan Hybrid's base price is slightly higher than that of the Fusion Hybrid, but it carries some standard equipment the Ford does not -- and, when both cars are fully equipped, the Milan can actually cost a few hundred dollars less.
Fewer reviewers have test-driven the Milan Hybrid, but since the two cars are mechanically-identical, comments in our Fusion Hybrid review can apply to this car as well.
Auto writers say the experience of driving the Milan Hybrid feels remarkably close to the experience of druving a non-hybrid car. In fact, in zero-to-sixty tests it can outrace a four-cylinder Milan, though not a V6-equpped version. The Milan Hybrid, however, gets to 60 with less gasoline - the EPA rates the car at 39 mpg combined. The days when purchasing a hybrid meant accepting trade-offs in performance and practicality are over -- the Milan and Fusion hybrids are simply very fuel-efficient midsized cars.
Other Cars to Consider
The Milan Hybrid straddles a line between affordable midsize cars and upscale midsize cars in a way that most of its competitors don't. Both the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid are reasonable alternatives, combining midsize space with hybrid fuel economy. But neither car is quite as upscale, and both are slightly less fuel-efficient.
The Milan Hybrid also features optional electronics that make it a reasonable alternative to some entry-level luxury cars like the Acura TL.
Of course, Milan shoppers might want to consider the Fusion Hybrid as well. The two vehicles are close enough that buyers interested in one car should check local prices on the other -- dealer incentives may make one a better buy than the other, depending on when you shop.
Milan Hybrid: The Details
The Milan Hybrid is entirely new for 2010. It comes in one well-equipped trim level with only a few options offered, including leather seating and a satellite-linked navigation system -- but it may be difficult to find a Milan Hybrid without those things, as Mercury says more than three-quarters of the Milan Hybrids it builds will include both.
A final note: the Milan Hybrid and its Ford Fusion Hybrid cousin were the subject of a recent high-profile recall. Some owners have reported that the car, under certain circumstances, can feel as though it has lost braking power. Ford engineers insist the cars have actually retained braking power throughout these incidents, but the feel of the brake pedal can briefly change. Ford dealers are in the process of correcting the issue, through a simple software upgrade. The MIlan Hybrids currently for sale on dealership lots should have had the software fix applied before sale.
" When taken as a whole, the Milan Hybrid - along with its sibling the Ford Fusion Hybrid - ranks as the one to beat in this class." -- Cars.com
"Hybrids are supposed to be supremely boring torture chambers, the vehicular equivalent of watching a documentary on the color brown while sitting on a giant-ass cactus. So what happened here? ... It's actually sort of fun, and taken with the mechanically identical Ford Fusion hybrid, it's the best hybrid mid-size sedan on the market today." -- Car and Driver
"For a relatively minimal investment, Ford can offer the same mechanical package [as the 2010 Ford Fusion] in a more understated wrapper and the result is this: the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid." -- Autoblog
" Although the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid doesn't avoid the typical price premium over a similarly equipped gas-only version (about $4,000), it betters its meager hybrid competition in more areas than any other rival (including the Chevy Malibu, Altima and Camry hybrids). It is more engaging to drive than all but the Altima, and is more spacious and features a much nicer interior than them all." -- Edmunds
Milan-Hybrid Performance - 9.1 (Excellent)
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid, and its Ford Fusion Hybrid corporate twin, have earned some of the most positive performance reviews we've seen for hybrids. Auto writers say the Milan Hybrid is quicker than most four-cylinder cars, and that the transitions between electric and gasoline power are barely even detectable. Its steering offers a bit less feedback than some reviewers like, but with responsive moves and a tight turning radius, it's athletic for a family car.
Milan-Hybrid Exterior - 8.1 (Very Good)
The Mercury Milan Hybrid is entirely new for 2010. The Milan sedan it is based on has been around for several years, but has undergone an extensive makeover for 2010, with a wider, more pronounced chrome waterfall grille, a slight "power dome" to the hood, and new LED headlights and taillights. The look is a bit more contemporary and aggressive than the outgoing model. Reviewers have mostly good things to say about it.
Milan-Hybrid Interior - 8.8 (Very Good)
The passenger cabin of the Mercury Milan is earning excellent reviews. Its electronics, including the SYNC infotainment system that allows drivers to control most cell phones and mp3 players through voice commands, and the information-rich SmartGauge that teaches fuel-efficient driving habits, win raves from the automotive press. The quality of its interior materials is on par with the traditional midsize class leaders, and a handsome two-tone design theme may be more stylish than what its Fusion counterpart has to offer
Milan-Hybrid Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)
The 2010 Milan is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick," earning top scores in the Institute's crash tests, and offering standard stability control. The federal government has not released full crash test results for the Milan.
Milan-Hybrid Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mercury provides a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on the Milan Hybrid. A separate warranty covering hybrid powertrain components lasts eight years or 100,000 miles.
Mercury Milan Hybrid
Mercury Milan Hybrid
Mercury Milan Hybrid
Mercury Milan Hybrid
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