Mercury Sable

Mercury Sable Models

The Mercury Sable comes in thre trim levels: the GS, LS and LS Premium. The wagon skips the mid-level and comes only in GS and LS Premium trim.

LS equipment includes a combination of cloth and leather upholstery, a power driver's seat, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, heated mirrors and power-adjustable pedals.

LS Premium models add electronic climate control, automatic headlights and illuminated vanity mirrors. LS Premium sedans stick with the cloth-and-leather interior combination, while LS Premium wagons offer fabric on the front and middle seats and vinyl in the rear. But LS Premium wagons add an adjustable roof rack, inside luggage cover, two hidden storage compartments, rear window wiper/washer, power antenna, and four-wheel-disc brakes, the latter oddly not offered on any Sable sedan.

Mercury installs two engines in the Sable. GS and LS versions get the 3.0-liter, overhead-valve "Vulcan" V6, a capable old cast-iron workhorse currently rated 155 horsepower. Standard in LS Premium sedan and wagon, and optional in the LS sedan, is Ford's excellent and exciting "Duratec" V6, with dual overhead cams, 24 valves, and 200 horsepower. A four-speed automatic is the only transmission offered.

Lincoln-Mercury expects just 10 percent of Sable buyers to settle for the Vulcan V6. The vigorous 24-valve Duratec V6 is 30 pounds lighter, despite its more complex valvetrain, and delivers significantly better response and performance.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS), side-impact airbags and traction control are offered as stand-alone options, or together as the Secure Group.

Driving the Mercury Sable

For such a relatively large and roomy family sedan, the Mercury Sable is startlingly agile, controllable, even sporty. Even with a stoic Vulcan in the engine room, the Sable chassis proves itself anything but unemotional. Its finely tuned variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering provides just the right amount of boost (less of it as road speed increases) and a constant stream of information to the driver. This live-wire steering combines with a finely tuned front suspension to deliver surprisingly sporting driving sensations. Driven to the extremes, the Sable takes the safest course, understeering to warn the driver that traction has been overcome. But before exceeding the tires' grip, this family taxi feels for all the world like a closet sports sedan.

Having said that, the Sable still manages to provide a comfortable ride, one that gently deletes even the worst broken pavement as it passes beneath the wheels. Mercury has achieved a fine balance between crisp handling and gentle ride, the same sort of balance that has earned the best European sedans their loyal following.

Add the superb Duratec V6 to this mix, and the Sable really comes alive. Its fine handling qualities now complement a very responsive engine. When heavy throttle is applied, acceleration is sharp enough that traction control is needed to prevent wheel spin. The Duratec makes a tactful but nonetheless exciting growl. So equipped, the Sable allows the hidden hurrier in you full expression, but in this car, who will suspect? It's just a family sedan, right? (Just smile and nod--nobody needs to know your secret.) A test drive of the Duratec will demonstrate that it positively transforms the personality of this Mercury. With its finger-snap responsiveness, the Sable has a heads-up, ready-to-run willingness that knowledgeable drivers will find irresistible.