Sometimes only a traditional, large, comfortable-riding, full-framed, V8-powered, six-passenger, rear-wheel drive, big North American car will do the job. It's then when the Mercury Grand Marquis LS is ready to step into the game.

Updates for 2009
For 2009, the Grand Marquis receives few changes. The differences between those intended for use by commercial enterprises and those purchased by private owners have been reduced. The GS designation has been dropped and all Grand Marquis are labeled LS.

Many Grand Marquis are employed by limousine services. These cars sometimes have the chassis stretched by aftermarket companies, but for most jobs the standard Grand Marquis is plenty spacious and luxurious. The Grand Marquis seats six and has a huge 20.6-cubic foot trunk.

Unlike most passenger vehicles and crossovers, and many sport-utility vehicles and even some pickup trucks, the Grand Marquis features the time-proven ladder-style frame. This construction is now largely limited to serious pickups and SUVs, which go off-road. As opposed to the now-common unibody chassis, vehicles with ladder frames are often more rugged.

Safety
The 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis' list of standard safety features includes traction control, anti-lock brakes, and front-seat side airbags. In crash tests conducted by the U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Grand Marquis earned the Fed's highest 5-Star crash test rating in all categories: driver frontal impact, front-passenger frontal impact, front-seat side impact, rearseat side impact, and rollover resistance.

Standard Equipment
Standard equipment includes the popular driver door SecuriCode™ keyless-entry keypad system. In addition, there's heated sideview mirrors to help eliminate ice and fog build up in cold weather. All Grand Marquis' have leather-trimmed seats and 6-way power driver and front-passenger seats with power lumbar and recline. Retail vehicles also get rear air suspension, rear stabilizer bar and front fog lamps. Options include 17-inch 18-spoke chrome-aluminum wheels, dual-media AM/FM stereo with cassette and single-CD player, heated front seats, power adjustable pedals, and wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel with secondary audio and climate controls.

Performance
Power for all Grand Marquis comes from a 4.6-liter single overhead cam V8 engine. It makes a peak of 224 horsepower. To provide excellent acceleration for merging onto fast-moving highways it has large torque peak of 275 pound-feet. The U.S. government rates its fuel mileage as 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. All Grand Marquis are flexible fuel vehicles, which means their engines can safely burn a mixture of up to 85 percent ethanol. All models come with a fourspeed automatic transmission with overdrive. A 19-gallon fuel tank produces impressive cruising range.

Pricing for the Grand Marquis starts just over $29,000, including destination and delivery with fully optioned versions just under $31,000 (destination and delivery included). If you need to carry six adults in comfort, tow a big trailer, or do any number of activities, sometimes only a Mercury Grand Marquis will do.