Thom Blackett’s 2006 Mercury Milan Driving Impressions:
Frankly, driving a V6-powered Mercury sedan for a week wasn’t a prospect that got my blood pumping, especially when I saw our Grandma Green tester sitting in the lot. However, after a few miles behind the wheel, the 2006 Milan proved to me once again that it’s a bad idea to judge a book by its cover.

With 221 horsepower on tap, the 2006 Mercury Milan has plenty of power for all driving situations, and the engine offers some impressive grunt when the revs climb a bit. Those expecting to smoke Hemi-powered Chryslers will be rewarded with disappointment, but passing one at a quick clip on the highway is an easy exercise. The six-speed transmission is marked by highs and lows – thumbs up for its tendency to hold gears longer for better acceleration and smooth shifts, but subtract points for the tranny’s habit of hunting for gears in stop-and-go traffic. While you’re at it, knock a few off for the as-tested fuel economy result of 17.6 mpg and the engine’s unrefined demeanor when pushed hard.

During those aggressive stints, the Milan exhibited its share of body roll and tire squeal from the 17-inch Michelins, though the ride was tighter than one might expect from a premium domestic sedan. You can take corners at speed with few worries, because the tires yell a warning when they’re nearing their threshold of grip, and the steering is surprisingly tight and responsive for a car in this class. The suspension offers a comfortable compromise between sporty and luxury by swallowing bumps at slow speeds with no ill effects, though the ride does get a bit unsettled when hitting those irregularities at 40-50 mph.

Competitors in this broad category are numerous, including the sportier Acura TSX, the more powerful Honda Accord V6, and the more refined Volkswagen Passat. Yet, as a driver’s car, the 2006 Mercury Milan does its best to hold its own with a capable powertrain and handling characteristics that verge on enjoyable.

Ron Perry’s 2006 Mercury Milan Driving Impressions:
It amazes me how two manufacturers can basically build the same car, yet they can be so completely different. In this case, I feel the Mercury Milan is a much better car than the Ford Fusion. There seems to be more attention paid to details, all of which heighten the driving experience. The Milan feels tighter and better built and is tuned to be more driver friendly, from the smoother ride to the handling capability. Ask the V6 to respond and it pulls hard, although as it climbs up the rev range it does get buzzy. Turn-in produces understeer, which is expected from a car of this nature, but for everyday driving it can still tackle a freeway on ramp and deliver some fun. Brake feedback was good for me but I found the steering to be on the light side – more road feel, please. Outward visibility to the rear was good as was the view out the side mirrors. The Milan is an easy car to navigate through traffic.

Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Mercury Milan Driving Impressions:
Bad news for Mercury: my 32-year-old girlfriend, the single, educated, professional at which the 2006 Milan is aimed, did not like this car. She thought the engine sounded coarse and unrefined, she found the transmission to be unresponsive, she disliked the pedal feel, and she complained that the switchgear felt cheap. I asked her what, if she had the $25,000 and change our Milan Premier test car stickered for and she was buying a midsize sedan, she might choose instead. Her reply: “Can I get a Passat for that price?”

There’s your bogey, Mercury. As for my opinion, I liked the Milan. Indeed, the transmission needs to lay off the Prozac, but otherwise this is a nice piece of work. The engine, if not class leading in terms of power and refinement, pulls with urgency the harder it’s revved and to my ear sounds good doing it. The steering is linear, responsive, and properly weighted. Ride quality lands smack dab between taut and soft, with just right amounts of road feel getting through the steering and suspension. Handling is good for a car like this, and though the Milan pushes wide when driven with verve through a curve, the tires howl little when taxed. Cruising on the highway, the Milan V6 is quiet, and gets good gas mileage. Visibility to the front and sides is good, but the rear deck is too tall – short cars following behind get lost from view. Another thing: make sure to leave plenty of space for U-turns, because the Milan’s turning circle is noticeably wide.