The Mercury Mountaineer shares much of its exterior design with the Ford Explorer. The design is highlighted by Mercury's trademark waterfall grille, with free-standing, vertical bars and a robust Mercury emblem front and center. The grille is flanked by large headlights that are an offbeat mix of curving lines and sharp angles. The front bumper holds rectangular fog lamps, a sectioned lower air intake and a satin-finish aluminum cross bar running the width of the grille. Fenders wear the same, edgy, machined-metal look.

The side view shows cladding over the lower door panels. A wide C-pillar separates the rear side doors from the rear quarter windows.

The optional power running boards tuck away beneath the rocker panels, extending only when the doors are open. We didn't care for them. They made a clunking noise when deploying or retracting. We also had to wonder about their long-term durability and whether they could get damaged in rugged terrain.

The standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch wheels feature designs exclusive to Mercury. Large 20-inch wheels will be offered later in the model year.

At the back, the liftgate is a two-piece affair, with the glass hinged separately. This lets you load groceries through the window, which is useful. The taillights wear clear lenses, with the requisite red glow appearing when brakes are applied or running lights turned on.

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