2005 Mercury Montego
Based on the mainstream 2005 Ford Five Hundred, the gussied-up Montego promises an extra level of coddling within its spacious and comfortable cabin.

Available in Luxury or Premier trim, the 2005 Mercury Montego can be ordered with either front- or all-wheel drive. Base prices start at $24,365 (plus a $675 destination charge) for the 3,667-lb., front-wheel-drive Luxury model and go as high as $28,590 for the all-wheel-drive Premier version. Safety features include a front passenger airbag cutoff sensor, antilock brakes, and electronic brake-force distribution. Traction control is standard on Premium models and optional on Luxury models. Front side airbags, a rollover sensor, side curtain airbags, and a rear parking sensor are available on all Montegos.

In NHTSA testing, a 2005 Mercury Montego without side or side-curtain airbags received five stars for the driver and front passenger in a frontal crash, five stars for the front and rear occupants in a side crash, and four stars for its rollover rating. In IIHS testing, the 2005 Mercury Montego received a Best Pick ranking for its offset frontal crash test performance.