ford

Defining a Mercury vehicle is difficult. The brand has long been the redheaded stepchild of the Ford Motor Co. Not as luxurious as a Lincoln or as value-conscious as a Ford, its image is hard to pin down.

Granted, a Mercury was piloted by James Dean in the 1955 classic Rebel without a Cause, but such flashes of credibility have long faded.

Peter Horbury, Ford’s U.S. design director, offered this explanation as to what Mercury represents:

“It’s a Ford, plus more. It’s created for people who appreciate a contemporary lifestyle, minimalist interiors and contemporary furniture sitting on the 58th floor of an apartment block in Chicago.”

Explaining that differences between a Ford and Mercury are cosmetic, Horbury again used the analogy of an apartment building to justify the brand’s slight price premium over a Ford.

“A 50-year-old couple moves into one apartment and a 22-year-old couple moves in next door. Within a week they’d be different — colors, decoration, materials, furnishing. So there are enough possibilities in using those things to make those differences work.”

After a week in a Mercury Sable, I understand.

The Mercury Sable and its twin, the Ford Taurus, are mechanically identical cars. They’re offered with front- or all-wheel drive and are powered by a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

While the 2006 Sable was a midsize car, the 2008 model is full-size. Its large size means bountiful interior space, including one of the largest trunks available in a sedan at any price.

The comfortably wide front bucket seats are chair high, as are the rear seats, although the rear center seating position is a bit firm. Headroom is exceptional; legroom is generous.

The Sable’s instrument panel is easy to understand and operate. I especially liked the controls on the steering wheel for cruise control, audio system and trip computer. On many cars, that many buttons would have you constantly hitting the wrong one. On the Sable, you’ll always find the correct one without looking.

While the steering wheel adjusts for angle, it doesn’t telescope. That deficiency is mitigated by the power-adjustable foot pedals, which help make it easy to find a driving position.

The test car’s options include heated front seats, leather trim, Sirius satellite radio, power-adjustable foot pedals, an optional audio system, reverse parking assistance and a GPS navigation system.

The workmanship is vastly improved over the Ford Taurus I drove seven months ago.

Performance is strong when pushed, and the Sable’s ride is vastly improved over the Mercury Montego. It’s absorbent, with some body lean in corners. The car possesses a good grip, despite driving through rainstorms strong enough to produce tornadoes.

And you can get all of this goodness on the Ford Taurus as well. So why spring for the Mercury?

Its design.

Like the apartment Horbury referenced, there are some differences in design details. The biggest, and most important, is that it doesn’t say Ford on the trunk lid.

That’s enough for many buyers to opt for the Mercury.2008 MERCURY SABLE

What we say: Overlooked family sedan

Pro: Practical, roomy, safe

Con: Low on thrills

Stats

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6

Wheelbase: 112.9 inches

Length: 202.1 inches

Weight: 3,930 pounds

Cargo space: 21.2 cubic feet

EPA rating (city/highway): 17/24 mpg

Fuel economy: 20 mpg

Fuel type: Regular unleaded

Base price: $29,180

As tested: $33,305