What's New for 2000

The 2000 Mercury Sable gains new sheet metal and additional refinements. The freshened styling includes a raised hood and deck lid, a larger grille, improved headlamps and taillights and new mirrors. The instrument panel has been updated, and the new integrated control panel provides better functionality. The Sable also gains significant improvements to its safety and powertrain components.

Review

Like its near twin, the Ford Taurus, the Mercury Sable receives some welcome changes in 2000. Mercury hopes these changes will improve the Sable's chances against the competition. Compared to the 1999 Sable, the most obvious change is styling. Both the public and the media generally disliked the older car's looks. And while the exterior enhancements are evolutionary in nature, they certainly are an improvement. The car now has a larger, higher, wider and more substantial appearance. All exterior body panels, except the doors and greenhouse, are new. The headlights are now larger and 20 percent more powerful. All Sables receive new 16-inch wheels and 215/60R16 tires as standard equipment.

The Sable has earned a good reputation for safety, thanks to its solid performances in U.S. government crash testing. Mercury builds on that rep with the Sable's new Advanced Restraints System. This system adapts airbag deployment depending upon impact severity, safety-belt usage and driver-seat position. The ARS includes safety-belt pre-tensioners and retractors. Head-and-chest side airbags are optional for front occupants. Additional safety changes include a new emergency trunk release (for those times when you accidentally lock yourself in your own trunk), child-safety-seat anchors and locking front-seat head restraints.

Inside, the Sable now has power-adjustable accelerator and brake pedals. With the touch of a button, the brake and accelerator pedals can, together, be horizontally adjusted up to 3 inches toward the driver from the standard location to provide added driving comfort for a wider range of drivers. Audio and climate controls are grouped in a new soft-cornered rectilinear shape. Controls are operated by square buttons, which are arranged in a conventional linear grid fashion for more intuitive use. The flip/fold console in the six-passenger Sable now folds down flat to the floor, allowing better access to the lower part of the integrated control panel.

Powertrain choices have been refined for 2000. Both the standard Vulcan 3.0-liter V6 and the optional Duratec 3.0-liter V6 gain horsepower and torque. Improvements have been made in the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness. Both the Vulcan and Duratec engines meet Low-Emissions Vehicle (LEV) standards in California and 13 Northeastern states. Mercury also says that the transmissions for both engines shift smoother, and suspension and steering refinements help to improve ride smoothness without taking away from overall handling.

We've always liked the Sable and Taurus, but thought they were edged out when compared to the Accord or Camry. The changes introduced for 2000 should help narrow the gap.