The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer offers three interior layouts: five-passenger, six-passenger or seven-passenger. Two trim levels are offered, base and Premier. Base models come with five-passenger seating using two seating rows; Premier models add a third-row seat for seven-passenger capacity. Second-row bucket seats are available in place of the bench seat for six-passenger seating.

Two powertrains are available: a 210-horsepower V6 and five-speed automatic transmission and a 292-hp V8 with six-speed automatic. Base models are available only with the V6 and five-speed automatic. The V8 and six-speed automatic are optional for Premier. Buyers have a choice between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The available all-wheel drive system can be driven on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing.

The Mountaineer 2WD ($26,050) and AWD ($28,345) come with cloth upholstery; air conditioning; six-way power driver seat'; leather-wrapped, tilt steering wheel with audio and climate controls; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack; cruise control; power windows, heated outside mirrors and keyless remote central locking; trip computer; fog lights; Class II towing package; auto on/off headlights; roof rails; rear cargo management system; and P245/65R17 all-terrain tires on machined aluminum wheels. Later in the model year the base model also gets Ford's new capless fueling system.

Options include a Third Row Seat Package ($1495) that includes a 50/50 split third-row bench seat, a 60/40 split second-row bench with reclining seatbacks and auxiliary climate controls for the rear passengers; second-row bucket seats ($795); a Comfort Package ($1395) that has leather upholstery, heated front seats, 10-way power driver's seat, six-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and memory for the driver's seat; a Moon and Tune Elite Package ($895) with power moonroof with sunshade, Audiophile AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer and seven speakers, and Sirius satellite radio; power adjustable pedals ($195); roof rail crossbars ($115); fixed color-keyed running boards ($495); and a Class III towing package ($275); and rear obstacle detection ($295).

The Premier model is offered with 2WD and the V6 ($28,150), AWD and the V6 ($30,445), 2WD and the V8 (29,445) or AWD and the V8 ($31,740). Standard features over and above those of the base include leather upholstery; 10-way power adjustable driver seat; six-way power front passenger seat; 60/40 split second-row seats; fold-flat third-row seats; keyless entry keypad; auto-dimming rear-view mirror; and 235/65R18 all-season tires on chromed aluminum wheels.

Options for Premier consist of the Navigation and Moon and Tune Package ($2595), which adds a DVD-based navigation system with voice activation to the base model's Moon and Tune Package; an Amenities Package ($1295) with power-deploying running boards, a universal garage door opener and rear obstacle detection; Third Row Seat Elite Package ($1095), which adds a power-folding third row to the base model's Third Row Seat Package; rear DVD entertainment ($1195) with an 8-inch screen and two wireless headphones; and a Chrome Package ($495) with several chrome exterior cues.

Later in the model year, 20-inch wheels and tires and Mercury Sync will be offered. Sync is a hands free communication and entertainment system that works with cell phones and MP3 players.

Safety features fitted on all Mountaineers include dual-stage front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, and head-protecting side curtain airbags for the first and second rows. The curtain airbags have a sensor to activate in a rollover. Also standard are a tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control with rollover mitigation. Available as an option is rear obstacle detection.