Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Mercury Milan’s Design:
Mercury’s designers used a rather conservative pen on the Milan, the result being a traditional midsize sedan with smooth body lines and attractive alloy wheels. As such, there’s little to dislike and even less to get excited about. High points include the alloy look of the grille, the two-tone interior with the simple but pleasant instrument and dash layout, and the combination of a roomy, comfortable cabin with the utility of a generous trunk.

Despite the positives, the 2006 Mercury Milan could benefit from a few visual changes and a bit more flair. Though smaller and more appealing than the lenses on the Lincoln Zephyr, the Milan’s mostly white taillights could use more character, a point that also rings true for the headlights. And from a distance, this car is virtually indistinguishable from countless other rental sedans – not exactly a winning formula for a car company fighting for survival.

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Mercury Milan’s Design:
I actually like the look of the 2006 Mercury Milan. It takes on the appearance of other cars depending on the angle. From the front I can see elements of the last Ford T-Bird coupe (not the retro roadster) and as you come around the rear hints at Mercedes and Acura. The best and most distinctive feature of the exterior design has to be the grille. It really sets off the front of the car and gives it distinction. The multi-spoke wheel design also compliments the grille work.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I was impressed with the design of the interior, which immediately helped me overcome any preconceived impressions I had. Designers have used a two-toned color treatment accented with silver faux aluminum to give the Milan a modern, up-to-date feel. This treatment projects a feel of luxury and offers a nice balance. Furthermore, all of the controls are where they should be and are easy to operate.

Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Mercury Milan’s Design:
Mercury’s distinguishing design characteristic is satin nickel trim. That’s about all that separates any given Merc from the Ford upon which it is based. Good thing it works. The logo on the front of the car is too big, but I like the way the vertically slatted grille mirrors the multi-spoke alloy wheels. In back, the trunk lid is decorated with a silver plastic trim piece that provides a good grip for closing the lid, but the frosted taillight lenses are a bit over the top.

Inside, the Milan’s silver dash trim is nicer looking than the piano-black plastic Ford installs in the Fusion. Two-tone décor includes the dash and door panels, and the leather seats in our Milan Premier had contrasting inserts. Controls are simply marked and easy to find, but there are a few ergonomic glitches. The stereo offers no tuning knob, the climate controls are a bit fussy to use and are mounted too low on the center stack, and the driver’s window features one-touch down but not one-touch up. Also, the turn signal stalk is mounted at an odd angle, and I kept accidentally flashing the bright lights when trying to activate the blinkers.