This is how the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer took the Ford Explorer upmarket

This video is all about the 1997-2001 Mercury Mountaineer.

The Mercury Mountaineer was essentially a Ford Explorer that was positioned upmarket (similar to how an Oldsmobile Bravada was positioned upmarket than an otherwise identical Chevrolet Blazer).

For its initial model year, the Mercury Mountaineer would be only equipped with Ford's 5-liter OHV V-8, cranking out 210 horsepower and paired to a four-speed automatic.

The Mercury Mountaineer went on sale in 1996 for the 1997 model year.

Rear drive was standard, all-wheel drive was optional.
This all-wheel drive system featured a 35/65 front/rear torque split under normal conditions, but when wheelspin on either end was sensed, its viscous center differential transferred power to the axle with the best traction.

On the inside, there was more interior space than a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy.

As soon as the 1998 model year, the Mercury Mountaineer received minor front and rear styling tweaks—further separating it from the otherwise identical Explorer.

For 1998, there was now a base engine. The newly added 4-liter V6 generated 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque—paired to a 5-speed automatic.
The V8, still mated to the 4-speed automatic, was now an option. The V8 was now rated at 215 horsepower, up from 1997’s 210.

The 4-wheel-drive system for the V6 was Ford’s Control Trac, which offered 2WD as well as three 4WD modes, one of which could be left engaged on dry pavement.

Fast forward to 1999, the 4-liter engine got a 5-horsepower bump, increasing the power output to 210.

Tune in to this video to learn more about the 1997-2001 Mercury Mountaineer.