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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  2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By berelbr - July 25 - 3:36 pm

  This is a perfect SUV for in-town/suburban driving. I have owned the car for a month and a half and we are averaging 33 mpg (not bad for an AWD SUV). I live 15 miles out of town. Therefore, driving 13 miles on the highway and 2 miles in town I am averaging 33 mpg. There is plenty of cargo space. The back seats fold forward for additional storage space. Overall, this is the best car that I have ever owned.

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  high tech car, low tech dealer - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By hooverpilot - July 11 - 9:00 pm

  Quite a fun car to drive. Has reasonable power, good mileage, good handling. Big disappointment was that in spite of the fact that both the sticker and the website data sheet say the CD-player is MP3-capable, it isnt! Not even with the premium package! The salesmen said it could play MP3s, but later admitted he didnt know what an MP3 was - he was just going on the sticker. The service people were totally clueless and unwilling to help. I just HATE spending something like $1500 for a stupid radio and it wont even play MP3s. Dont rely on the dealer or the service people to know anything much about the electronics.

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  Bobs Review - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Bob - May 14 - 8:36 am

  Have enjoyed seeing the remaining mileage change slowly while the average mileage builds from the 22 that it started at to over 29 for the kind of driving that I do. Still push it, having traded in a Lincoln LS for this vehicle. It feels stable for an SUV, having driven a few. Quiet is nice. With Hybrid we did not expect as much as we have gotten with drivability. This is a nice vehicle.

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  I really want to love it, but 4 years later... - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By teknooh - April 8 - 12:24 pm

  After owning mine for 4+ years, Ive had more problems than I expected. Most recently, the air conditioning system is being repaired for a second time, and the cost of this repair exceeds what the dealership is authorized to provide (so it has to be Ford approved). Other fun includes a sensor under the front passenger seat failed and had to be replaced, and early on the SYNC software had to be wiped and completely reinstalled. Since about 30K miles Ive had it in several times for a popping noise (like a bad knee joint) under the hood, and each time theyve replaced some other part that was going bad but, the noise still persists. Unfixable I guess. Thank god for extended warranties!

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  Best Hybrid SUV choice...I think - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Hybrid Hunter - April 1 - 3:56 am

  If this SUV had more "Hybrid" competition, it would likely score lower w/me. But since there are few SUV "True Hybrids" out there, this one scores pretty well. Overall I really like it. It is fairly fun to drive, gets decent mileage (27 overall - great for a 4WD SUV), has surprising performance, has Nav, etc. There are downsides... Its ridiculously priced - 33K for an Escape w/a Hybrid drive! It should be in the 25-27K range when compared w/similar SUVs (assuming a 5K Hybrid markup). Buy it used like I did - paid 27k w/only 1,700 miles on it. Other than the Nav/Radio, inside its a very plain (and dated) Ford product. CD changer under the seat is insane. And the seat cushions are too short.

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  2009 Mariner Hybrid AWD - 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By VR - February 20 - 3:00 pm

  Ive had this for over a month now and am getting great mpg for this sized SUV. Mixed driving, getting over 31 freeway driving at 78mph, getting over 27. The navigation/audio/info system is oustanding. Ive just started loading my music into the 10 gig hard drive - no more cds or tapes to take up space. I also used a thumb drive in the usb port to play music, this also worked flawlessly. I look forward to getting a bluetooth cell phone and linking that to the sync system. There was enough space for 3 adults and two 60 pound dogs and all our luggage to drive on an 8 hour one way trip comfortably.

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  2008 Mercury Mariner 4WD Hybrid - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By ddelano - February 19 - 2:30 am

  Love the new interior quality and the DVD nav system. Still getting used to the large appearing snout and high beltline, but people are looking and asking. Traded an 07 Escape 4wd hybrid which compared to the 08 is shameful. Many, many more amenities this yr, such as outside temp, compass, dual zone climate control, tire press. monitoring, trick center console, color keyed side view mirrors, thicker laminated glass in front and auto dimming rr view mirror etc.,and the price is about a grand less. This indeed is progress. Bold move? Dunno, but its got a bold front clip! Great ride!

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  Fun SUV - 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Bill C - February 3 - 5:36 am

  I really like my mariner so far. Its got good power and is smooth. Especially at freeway speeds it is fun to get the rpms up a little bit. I like the audio system in it. It sounds pretty good depending on the quality of your cds and mp3s. I am not sure if if is a option or not but it would be nice to have an outside temp gauge. Best of all it gets 30 MPG and Ive got a bit of a lead foot.

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  Stealthy Marketing????? - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By Thom - August 19 - 9:30 pm

  I went to check out the Escape - never heard of the Mariner -and found this one on the lot (a return, or a reject?). After a couple of thousand miles I still really enjoy the experience of the drive. My boys love it (they hated the Odyssey we traded in) and it has become my commute vehicle and the one we thrash around in on weekends. A bit small luggage carrying-wise so we picked up a Yakima luggage carrier. I would love to hear if anyone has really driven it on soft sand. I am a little suspect of that claim.

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  Great ride! - 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By efonte - July 27 - 7:23 pm

  I havent had it long, but I love the vehicle. Im averaging about 30.5 mpg on mixed driving. Acceleration, has plenty of power and the ride is very smooth.