Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review

2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV

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.

Despite the increased number of hybrid models being introduced, the Mariner continues to be one of the few small SUVs offered as a hybrid. Mechanically, it's identical to the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid. Differentiation comes about mostly through altered exterior styling and the Mariner's higher-quality interior.

Current Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The four-door Mercury Mariner Hybrid is available in one well-equipped trim level in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). Its styling and interior were extensively restyled and upgraded for 2008. Standard amenities include all the expected powered accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control and an in-dash CD changer with MP3 audio input. The optional Premium package provides luxuries like rear parking sensors, heated leather seats, upgraded seven-speaker audio and a DVD-based navigation system. A special "Moon & Tune" package bundles a moonroof with satellite radio.

All Mercury Mariner Hybrids are powered by a 2.3-liter gasoline engine working with electric motor/generators for a cumulative output of 155 horsepower. Although Mercury calls the transmission "continuously variable," there's no rotating belt as in a conventional CVT. Instead, the motors work cooperatively with the gas engine through a planetary gearset to provide seamless power and maximum efficiency. The gasoline engine is also used to recharge the Mariner Hybrid's battery pack, and a regenerative braking system contributes as well.

AWD Mariner Hybrids have a third electric motor that provides power to the rear wheels when extra traction or acceleration is needed. But it's not a true all-wheel-drive system, so buyers who require a serious snow vehicle are advised to look at the regular gas-powered AWD Mariner instead. Most expected safety equipment is standard, including front-seat side-impact airbags and full-length head curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. Unfortunately, stability control is not available.

The Mariner Hybrid's cabin is tastefully accented with faux aluminum, chrome and wood-grain trim. The backseat is roomy and comfortable enough to keep a pair of adults content on road trips, and there are almost 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 66 cubic feet when folded. Detracting from the Mariner Hybrid's cabin comfort, however, is its lack of an electric air-conditioning compressor, which means that the cabin only stays cool when the engine is running.

With its gas engine and electric motors working in concert, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid feels nearly as quick as the gasoline V6 model and returns outstanding fuel mileage. Unfortunately, its engine makes a lot of noise under hard acceleration. Ride quality is acceptable for a small SUV, but handling is unimpressive because the additional weight of the hybrid components lends a top-heavy feel when rounding corners. And although the regenerative brakes provide solid stopping power, they can be hard to modulate due to an overly stiff initial pedal feel.

The current Mariner Hybrid benefits from a number of updates made for the 2008 model year. These include refreshed interior and exterior styling, a redesigned roof panel to reduce wind noise, the addition of the slightly less expensive front-wheel-drive model to the lineup and a few feature improvements, the most significant of which is the updated, DVD-based navigation system.

Past Mercury Mariner Hybrids

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid debuted for the 2006 model year. These earlier Mariners have the same hybrid powertrain as the current model but lack its extensive interior and exterior updates.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.