Overview & Reviews
Hybrid SUVs like the Mercury Mariner Hybrid are aimed primarily at green-thinking car buyers who want it all. By sport-utility standards, fuel economy is high and tailpipe emissions are low. At the same time, the Mariner Hybrid allows one to live the hybrid car lifestyle without losing the everyday versatility provided by all-wheel drive and a decent-sized cargo area.
As part of Mercury's demise, the Mariner Hybrid will only be produced through 2011. Mechanically, it's identical to the Ford Escape Hybrid. Differentiation comes about mostly through altered exterior styling and the Mariner's higher-quality interior.
Most Recent Mercury Mariner Hybrid
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid compact SUV was produced in two generations. The more recent ran from 2008-'11.
This Mariner was available in one well-equipped trim level. Standard amenities included full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Sync phone/MP3 player interface and an in-dash CD changer with MP3 audio input. Options included heated leather seats, an upgraded seven-speaker audio system, a navigation system, a sunroof, a rearview camera, MyKey (which allows parents/owners to limit speed and audio volume) and an automated parallel-parking assist feature.
A two-wheel-drive Mariner Hybrid should be able to deliver close to 30 mpg in real-world city and highway driving. Its powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a pair of electric motors and an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Under full acceleration, both power sources work together to provide maximum oomph, but under lighter load conditions, such as stop-and-go traffic, the Mariner Hybrid alternates between the two, oftentimes running purely on battery power alone. A regenerative braking system converts energy normally lost as heat into electricity to recharge the vehicle's batteries.
Although the cumulative horsepower rating of 177 doesn't sound very impressive, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid was quicker than the regular four-cylinder Mainer. Two-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models were offered.
The Mariner Hybrid's cabin was tastefully accented with faux aluminum, chrome and wood-grain trim. The backseat was roomy and comfortable enough to keep a pair of adults content on road trips, and there was almost 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 66 cubic feet when folded.
With its gas engine and electric motors working in concert, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid returned outstanding fuel mileage. Unfortunately, its engine made a lot of noise under hard acceleration. Ride quality was acceptable for a small SUV, but handling was unimpressive because of the additional weight of the hybrid components. Braking performance was poor due to the Mariner's lackluster front disc/rear drum setup.
There were only a few changes during this model's time. For 2010, the Mariner Hybrid benefited from a few more high-tech features including the "Auto Park" automatic parallel-parking option and MyKey (which allowed parents to limit speed and audio volume for their teen drivers). Most importantly, a new electrically driven air-conditioning compressor arrived as well. Previously, the A/C would shut down with the engine when the vehicle stopped at a light or was stuck in traffic. You could override this, but then you wouldn't get the fuel economy savings auto stop/start provides.
Past Mercury Mariner Hybrids
The first-generation Mercury Mariner hybrid was produced for 2006-'07. These earlier Mariners had a hybrid powertrain similar to that of the second-gen version, albeit with a slightly smaller, 2.3-liter 155-hp engine. All-wheel drive was standard. Also, they lacked the newer Mariner's updated styling and features.
User Reviews:
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It is easy being green! - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By Kimberly - March 6 - 7:16 pmI love this car. While I miss having my four wheel drive like my previous Honda CR-V had I went with the FWD model of the Mariner Hybrid. After 10 years of Honda I have returned to Ford via Mercury. It has such a smooth and comfortable ride. My driving is a combination of city and highway and I am pleasantly surprised that even when I shut off the economy to keep the a/c compressor running my gas mileage is still high! Combo City/Highway in Charlotte NC has been around 29-32 mpg with the a/c running w/economy setting 31-34. This is over 10+ mpg over my 2005 Honda CR- V where I achieved 19 - 24 mpg. Roomy, comfortable, and fun to drive! No sacrifice in power either.
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Take this you nasty oil companies - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By Newf-car - February 27 - 10:26 pmWe love it! We averaged 31.4 MPG on the trip home from the dealer, and are getting 35 on the drive to and from work. Plenty of power when you get on it to merge into traffic. The navigation system was a snap to use. put in the CD click NAV and select where you want to go. I had heard complaints about the interface but after using it makes we worry that people who find it difficult are behind the wheel. Plenty of room, our horse...oh I mean newfoundland dog has plenty of room in the back and seems to be really enjoying his new wheels.
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Best Mariner Hybrid - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By HappyHybridOwnr - February 25 - 8:16 amI had the Mariner for 16 months now. Excellent vehicle to drive. Averaging 31+ MPG mixed mode driving. Great vehicle with a very Roomy interior. I enjoy trying to get the best gas mileage. Traded in a GMC Safari (17+ MPG) saving lots of gas $.
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Everything I Expected and More! - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By PAlea - February 24 - 3:23 amSwitching from a 5.0L Explorer to the Mariner Hybrid has been a boom to my budget. Ive gone from 14 to 30.5 mpg, more than double! I was filling the Explorer 2.5 per week for $150 and now Im filling every 6 days for $42. The Mariner almost pays for itself! Both my children are learning to drive and they also prefer the Mariner. Its fun to drive, agile, accelerates like a V8, and comfortable. Plenty of room for five adults. I still use the Explorer for hauling large loads or hunting with my retriever, but the Mariner is my first choice.
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Bad Choice for a Vehicle - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By John - January 2 - 6:30 pmThis vehicle is not well thought out at all. The Nav/radio does not work well, They (Ford) said is was Satellite capable..WRONG, LIE. Said it will play MP3s, WRONG, LIE. Nav system is awkward to use and not accurate, for a $3700. option in a TECHIE Vehicle they BLEW IT. Ford bought me an AFTERMARKET Satellite radio, VELCROED to the Dash and BAD FM sound. No auto headlamps, no outside temperature. No wonder american car makers are having problems.
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Cargo area above the battery catches fire - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By tonyrita - December 22 - 5:01 pmIve had my Mercury Mariner for 5 years and had no issues other than a new set of tires and brakes. Last week after making a local trip, I parked my Mariner in the garage and 2 hours later the car caught fire and burned most of my garage and my wifes car. Im warning current and future owners of this car so nobody else has to go through this pain.
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Awesome - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By Fab - October 7 - 11:36 amLove it! Fun to drive - feel good about it being a Hybrid. Makes me want to take a road trip. Great performance, averaging 32 mpg.
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Great buy! - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By bridger - July 24 - 8:33 pmMileage as advertised! I commute 1.75 hrs per day in DC-area traffic and have averaged 31.9 mpg over 5,000 miles thus far, but I do pay attention to good driving techniques to optimize the capabilites of the hybrid system. I absolutely love the car and derive great pleasure from driving a fun, practical vehicle that is easy on the environment. Drivability, amenities, and comfort are excellent as other reviewers have stated. Everyone Ive had in the car is shocked by the performance and sophistication of the vehicles hybrid drive - so much better than their hybrid preconceptions, especially re acceleration.
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Just what I wanted - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By Diane - July 16 - 5:10 pmFortunately I bought this 10 months ago before gas got even worse. I love the car and being geograhpically impaired, I love the GPS navigation although I could have saved money and bought a hand held. Im nervous about ice and snow, so I got the all wheel drive version, but still the mileage is great (over 30 consistently). Ford has a winner here, and for the price, it is very competitive with some other crossover/SUVs I looked at. My husband now wishes he had one too.
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Well Pleased - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
By lawlabor - July 10 - 12:20 amI have had the car for two weeks now and couldnt be happier. The efficiency is precisely what was projected, the creature comforts have exceeded my expectations, and even my 9-year old son thinks the car is cool.
