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Mercury's Villager is smaller than popular minivans such as the Dodge Grand Caravan or Ford Windstar. Its dimensions are closer to a base-level, short-wheelbase van. Yet the Villager offers the luxury trappings of the big guys. It also offers more nimble handling and, some would say, smarter styling. Big families may miss the extra room of a long-wheelbase van, but others will prefer the Villager's quick reflexes and versatility.

The $22,510 base Villager is well equipped, with AM/FM/cassette stereo, power windows and mirrors, remote keyless entry, seven-passenger seating, anti-theft system, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and a heavy-duty 75-amp battery. Base Villagers can be ordered in solid colors, or with Silver lower body panels.

A $995 Convenience Group for the base model adds a six-way power driver's seat with dual manual lumbar adjustments, privacy glass, dual front overhead map lights, front door step lights, flip-open liftgate window and power rear vent windows.

Next up is the Villager Sport, at $25,735. Distinguished by its Dark Shadow Gray lower body, the Sport adds all of the Convenience Group items, plus auxiliary rear air conditioning, an air filtration system and luxurious bucket seats in the second row. The sport part of the package consists of a more aggressive suspension with anti-roll bars front and rear; and lower-profile P225/60R16 tires on alloy wheels, replacing the base P215/70R15 rubber and steel rims. The Sport also adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and radio controls, and makes leather seating optional.

Mercury's sole minivan grows from a unique family tree. Rather than sharing a mechanical platform with the Ford Windstar, as you might expect, Villager is based on the Nissan Quest. In exchange for the Nissan-based platform and drivetrain, Ford provided a factory in northeast Ohio to build both the Mercury Villager and the Nissan Quest. That deal, made in the early 90s, got Ford into the front-drive-minivan game a little sooner, and apparently has kept both parties satisfied ever since.

So Villager is powered by a Nissan 3.3-liter V6 that provides 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission takes care of the shifting.

Two sliding doors allow easy entry for rear-seat passengers, while a rear liftgate provides access to the cargo area. Power doors are not available. But the Villager Sport we drove did come with a full complement of amenities, including the optional six-disc CD changer and leather seats, for an as-tested price of $27,555.

Flexibility is the mantra of the minivan customer and Mercury is humming in harmony. With its wide range of seating positions, we're confident that Villager won't leave many owners wanting for usability.

From the driver's seat, Villager offers a sweeping view of the road ahead. The view out the back isn't bad, either. Villager's cabin is glassy and tall, giving a commanding view all around. The bucket seats in the first and second rows are shaped correctly for long-haul drives, and the doors have armrests at the proper height.

The second and third rows of seats are the Villager's prime asset. The second-row bucket seats tip forward for easy access to the third-row bench. They can also be removed for a large cargo area. The third-row bench can slide forward into one of six positions on a track that permits nearly five feet of movement front to rear. Sport and Estate models have an adjustable shelf in the cargo area behind the third seat. It locks into three vertical positions and holds 30 pounds.