Mercury Mariner

The Mercury Mariner compact SUV was introduced in 2005. It is a sibling of the Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape, although the Mariner is a Luxury SUV and the other two are not. Mechanically, it is identical to the Mazda Tribute. It also includes stylistic differences, such as a two-tone interior, European-style turn signal repeaters, and the signature Mercury satin "Waterfall" grille just to mention a few. The Mariner is Mercury's first car-based SUV, and is slotted below the Mountaineer in the lineup.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Mercury mariner review.

Recent Changes
The 2008 Mariner is significantly Restyled with a new look.

The changes will include a new grille, headlights, taillights a new liftgate a higher beltline and new doors and wheels.

The interior was also significantly updated with higher quality materials and more refined features.

The Engines will remain the same but the 3.0L Duratec V6 has been modified to reduce fuel consumption by 10% and the 2.3L Hybrid I4 will reduced fuel consuption by 14%.

The 2008 Mercury Mariner and Mariner Hybrid are in Mercury showrooms now.

"The New Mercury Mariner VOGA Edition" This new Mariner features a stylish Moss Green exterior color and chrome grille and badgeing, unique "VOGA" badging, plus chrome 17-inch wheels with "VOGA" center caps. Inside, cashmere leather-trimmed seats sport contrasting Ash stitching and embroidered "VOGA" logos on the front seatbacks, as well as complementary Tarragon Green Metallic paint accents. Also inside there's ambient lighting in your choice of seven shades. The Mercury Mariner VOGA Edition.

Styles and Major Options


The Mariner is available in three trims with optional All-Wheel-Drive.

Convenience Standard Features
 * I-4 engine
 * AM/FM Single-CD Stereo
 * Power Mirrors
 * Rear Split Bench Seat
 * 16" Painted Aluminum Wheels

Luxury Standard Features In addition to or in place of Convenience Standard Features
 * V6 Engine
 * Privacy Glass
 * 6-way Power Driver's Seat

Premier Standard Features In addition to or in place of Luxury Standard Features
 * Reverse Sensing System
 * Audiophile AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD Changer with 7 Speakers
 * Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
 * Power Heated Mirrors
 * Message Display with Compass
 * Rearview Auto Day/Night Mirror
 * Leather/Suede Upholstery
 * Heated Front Seats
 * 16" Machined Aluminum Wheels
 * Automatic Headlamps

Major Optional Features
 * Navigation System
 * Mercury SYNC
 * Power Moonroof
 * Class II Trailer Tow Package
 * Roof Rack with Crossbars
 * Running Boards
 * Heated Front seats with Premium Leather Trim

Please see the Mercury Mariner website for complete package listings and details.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Reliability
Bumper to Bumper: 36 months/36,000 miles

Major Components: 60 months/60,000 miles

Rust Through: 60 months/unlimited miles

Roadside Assistance: 60 months/60,000 miles

Safety
The NHTSA has conducted crash tests of the 2008 Mariner. Its full scores are available at

Colors




Main Competitors

 * Saturn VUE
 * Toyota RAV4
 * Chevrolet Equinox
 * Jeep Patriot
 * Pontiac Torrent

Warranty
Bumper to Bumper: 36 months/36,000 miles

Major Components: 60 months/60,000 miles

Rust Through: 60 months/unlimited miles

Roadside Assistance: 60 months/60,000 miles

Hybrid Models
The Mariner Hybrid is powered by a 2.3 liter inline-4 running on the Atkinson Cycle. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a CVT. The Mariner Hybrid is sold as an upgraded model, with only the higher end options missing from its equipment list.

Unique Attributes

 * Satin Waterfall Grille.

Resale Values
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Mercury_Mariner_SUV.aspx

What's Best About Mariner

 * "The overall look is one of polish and refinement." — New Car Test Drive


 * "Gauges large and legible, controls handy and intuitive." — Consumer Guide


 * "Two-tone suede and leather seating steals the show...and combined with contrasting stitching, the look is very handsome." — Edmunds.com


 * "Fun to drive, the Mariner offers impressive road manners for a compact SUV. It drives much like a tautly suspended sedan, with little body roll and responsive steering." — Edmunds.com


 * "The Mariner is an SUV that drives much like a car. Strong and lightweight unibody construction, as well as a tuned four-wheel independent suspension, gives a supple ride while providing the proper control in emergency maneuvers." - Car and Driver

Criticisms

 * "The Mariner is not designed to navigate truly rugged terrain off road." — New Car Test Drive

First Generation: 2005–2007


The Mercury Mariner debuted in late 2004 as a 2005 Luxury compact SUV, which is based on the Ford Escape with enhancements and more luxury touches and features. The Ford Escape was jointly developed with Mazda, in which Ford owns a controlling interest, and was released a few months after the nearly-identical Mazda Tribute. The Escape is sold in Europe as the Ford Maverick while the Mariner is not.

It is built on the Ford CD2 platform, which is in turn based on the Mazda GF platform, which was used by the Mazda6.

The Mariner offers a 3.0L V6 engine, all wheel drive system, four wheel disc brakes with ABS and color keyed exterior styling. No low range gearing is offered. A back-up obstacle detection system is available for Premier and Hybrid variants. Mercury Mariner Hybrid models have an optional navigation system with screen displays for power flow and fuel economy.

Second Generation: 2008-Present


For 2008 The Mercury Mariner is significantly restyled.

Customers told Mercury the changes should focus on styling, the reduction of noise and vibration, and the addition of navigation and MP3 compatibility. There's also a new exterior design that raises the Mariner's beltline while tweaking its front and rear fascias, headlights and taillights, liftgate and hood.

Inside there are new seats, which are quite comfortable. The seat's leather looks and feels like quality, as do most of the plastics lining the pillars, doors and dash. Overall, the interior design and materials are a substantial improvement.

The 2008 Mariners ride quality has also been improved significantly also. It's virtually silent with the exception of a few unobtrusive. Even at freeway speeds, tire and wind noise are significantly damped.

It's also safer. All Mariners come standard with side-impact airbags that deploy from the seats, plus curtain-type head protection airbags.

Dual knobs for driver and passenger climate controls are found on either side of the dash, and the temperature display is high on the dashboard above the audio and navigation system. Mercury says this design makes the information easier to read while driving

After flipping up the seat bottoms and removing the headrests — a lengthy process relative to its competition — the Mariner's rear seats fold flat to accommodate 66.2 cubic feet of cargo space, some 7.6 cubic feet more than the Mazda CX-7.

Worldwide

 * The Mercury Mariner is sold to the U.S. and Mexican markets only.

Design quirks and oddities

 * Like all Mercury's it has a Satin Finish Front Grille.

Awards

 * Consumers Digest best buy for 2005,2006,2007,2008
 * Mercury Mariner Hybrid was awarded 2006 Green Car of the Year.