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Mercury Sable: reborn and better than ever

Published 3:27 pm Monday, February 11, 2008

Mercury introduced its Sable in 1985 and the sedan quickly gained a loyal following. After about 20 years Sable had run its course, and another innovative vehicle took its place, the Mercury Montego.

But in 2007, after a bottom-line-induced change of heart, Mercury fashioned a new sedan based on the Montego design, and debuted it as a 2008 model with the Sable name resurrected.

Montego, Sable, whatever. The fact is, this five-passenger sedan has clean and contemporary exterior styling, an attractive and hospitable interior, power aplenty, and handling that approaches sports-car level.

The 2008 Sable is offered in two versions: the base Sable and the uplevel Sable Premier. Both are available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive configuration, and have a new 3.5-liter V6 generating 263 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 249 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. It’s a 30-percent increase in horsepower over the previous model, with 10-percent better fuel economy. EPA ratings are 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway with FWD, and 17/24 with AWD. The transmission, a six-speed automatic with overdrive, shifts imperceptibly under all circumstances.

A revised MacPherson-strut front suspension with 10 percent more travel, new dampers and spring rates, and a retuned independent coil-over rear suspension can be thanked for the car’s superior ride. The new power steering system provides extra assist for things like parking maneuvers, but reduces the assist when it’s not needed — so steering is crisp and responsive on highways and twisty roads.

Increased soundproofing measures — including expandable foam pellets in the A-pillars and better noise-deadening material in the doors, headliner and remaining pillars — have reduced cabin noise to a low level.

Though a midsize sedan, Sable has interior roominess rivaling a full-sizer. Front seats and rear seats all have more than 41 inches of leg room. Total interior volume is more than 129 cubic feet. The trunk is enormous, and its opening is wide enough to push a foot locker through.

Only one small negative emerged during the test week: Even with the heater airflow directed entirely at the feet, the driver’s right foot doesn’t get the same level of warmth as the left one. A minor redesign is called for, to distribute the heat more evenly.

Standard features on the base Sable include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, cloth seats, two 12V powerpoints, audio system with single CD player and audio input jack, fog lamps, anti-lock brakes and 17-inch wheels.

My tester was a Sable Premier AWD, which comes with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3, Mercury Sync (powered by Microsoft) voice-activated communications and entertainment system, eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, 60/40 fold-down rear seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, compass and outside temperature display, traction control, leather seat surfaces, and 18-inch wheels.

Options on the tester include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, reverse sensing system and adjustable pedals. A power moonroof is also available as an option.

The touch-screen and voice-activated navigation system is simple to use for anyone with a modicum of experience. All of the car’s controls are well-placed and easy to operate.

Sable has been given the highest possible safety ratings in its class by the IIHS and NHTSA.