2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD

If we're all going to end up driving hybrids, the revolution should start in this class. I think the small cute-ute/crossover segment was born out of nothing but marketing departments, and these vehicles could all be replaced by hatchbacks and wagons with absolutely no ill effect. But consumers are hooked on the vehicles in this class, and there's no way the American public will turn to hatchbacks and wagons overnight. So all these small sport-utilities and crossovers might as well go hybrid and save us lots of fuel.

The Mercury Mariner/Ford Escape hybrids are probably the best products in the Ford portfolio right now. They make sense for a lot of consumers, and the pricing isn't insane. Sure, the steering is dead, you're forced to have a continuously variable transmission, and there isn't a ton of power, but that doesn't matter. If you're shopping for a cute-ute, you don't care about driving for the sake of driving, and this Mariner does everything it's supposed to do very well.

A hybrid drivetrain (and the efficiency mindset that goes with it) doesn't really mesh with the heavy, impractical, inefficient-by-nature SUV, no matter how small. As such, I can't help wondering just how much better the Mariner's fuel economy would be if it were a tad smaller, a tad lighter, and less of a brick in the wind tunnel. It just seems too much like a stopgap, as if we're kidding ourselves as to what we really ought to be driving. I feel wasteful, no matter how much less gas I'm using.

Ford has greatly improved the Mercury Mariner (and its twin, the Ford Escape) in the last two years, concentrating on the styling for 2008 and the mechanicals for 2009. The interior of the Mariner is greatly improved over what it was a couple of years ago, but there is still some evidence of cost-cutting, notably the cheap-looking plastic vent covers. Still, the overall look and feel of the interior is quite nice.

On the road, the transition between gasoline and electric power is practically unnoticeable. The trick is to get up to speed and tap the brake slightly, at which point the vehicle will switch to electric power, although you might not notice it unless you're looking at the RPM gauge. It's quite a difference from our long-term Toyota Camry hybrid, which noticeably surged and/or stuttered when switching between power sources.

© Source: automobilemag
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2009 Ford Escape Preview

Ford's Escape crossover gets a more powerful four-cylinder engine for 2009, and that engine also gets transplanted into the Escape Hybrid and the similar Mercury Mariner/Hybrid models for the new model year.

The new engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that should boost fuel economy by one mile per gallon in the EPA cycle. At the same time, Ford says the new four-cylinder will make 170 horsepower, an 11-percent boost over the existing base engine. The 17 additional horsepower come in part from a new variable cam timing system and from the increase in displacement over the former 2.3-liter four.

The V-6 option gains power for 2009, too. The 3.0-liter V-6 now makes 230 horsepower, up 30 hp and also up one mpg in fuel economy thanks in part to its six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces a four-speed unit used on the Escape and Mariner last year.

Other tweaks, include a new chin spoiler and rear tire spoilers, clean up the Escape's aero profile and help boost fuel economy, while a new 16-inch tire also cuts down on rolling resistance.

Ford says the new Escape is more connected too. That's because the Sync infotainment system is offered in the 2009 model, along with the Sirius Travel Link system with 911 Assist, which helps passengers get in touch with emergency workers when the need arises.

Other revamps for 2009 include new suspension tuning and standard stability control with roll stability control on Hybrid models.

© Source: thecarconnection
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2008 Mercury Mariner Premier 4WD Review

A writer might associate the word "ancient" with "mariner" in deference to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner". That's a correct association in literature, but incorrect in connection with cars or small SUVs, where "Mariner" brings to mind Mercury. The Mercury Mariner is not exactly ancient, having been introduced in 2005. And besides, it gets a suite of major updates for 2008.

Most apparently, both the exterior and interior have been restyled. "Freshened styling" is a typical mid-product life cycle occurrence in the automotive industry, but here there is a bit more than mere "freshening". More external sheetmetal has been changed than not, and inside, the 2008 Mariner is meant to foretell the look of future Mercurys. As ever, that interior has more space than might be imagined looking at the compact exterior, and some trick new standard and optional storage schemes.

PERFORMANCE:
If the exterior and interior are new, the engine compartment is familiar. The Mariner's V6 is the venerable 3.0 liter twin cam, 24-valve alloy Duratec. With 200 horsepower (at 6000 rpm) and 193 lb-ft of torque (at 4850), it has plenty of power for everyday use, and revisions over the years have improved refinement levels. The four-speed automatic transmission is well-suited to the Mariner's niche in life. Ditto for the "Intelligent 4WD" four-wheel drive system. It operates in front-wheel drive mode most of the time, and uses a computer-controlled center clutch to engage the rear wheels as needed. Input from sensors at each wheel and the accelerator pedal allows the computer to determine the necessary torque split, transparently to the driver.

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2008 Mercury Mariner Review

What's New for 2008
The 2008 Mercury Mariner gets a makeover inside and out. A more aggressive attitude marks the exterior design, and the cabin is more attractive and functional. The chassis and powertrain are virtually unchanged, however, meaning this "redesigned" Mariner has the same running gear as before.

Introduction
Something of an anomaly in the marketplace, the compact but upscale Mercury Mariner SUV gets a not-so extreme makeover for 2008. The Mariner debuted three years ago as a more luxurious version of Ford's Escape. And like its relative, the Mariner's "top-half" revamping for this year means new sheet metal and a revised interior but no significant revisions to the chassis or running gear.

The changes in the looks department include a bolder grille, taller beltline and higher hood, all of which give this junior sport-ute a more aggressive curbside presence. Inside, the changes are more functional, including such touches as a multifunction display at the top center of the dash and cool blue instrument lighting. To promote a quieter cabin, the new Mariner features an acoustic laminate within the windshield, a redesigned roof panel and thicker carpeting.

Unfortunately, these changes might not be enough to keep the 2008 Mercury Mariner competitive in the small-SUV class. In past years, we praised the Mariner for its relatively roomy (for four) cabin, sporty driving dynamics and peppy performance, but new and more modern competitors now surpass it in many areas.

A more serious disappointment concerns the Mariner's braking. For some reason, all 2008 Mariners except the V6 AWD version have reverted to rear drum brakes (they formerly had discs all around) and braking performance suffers. In our testing of a similar Escape with rear drums, the best stop from 60 mph took 154 feet — about 25 feet longer than average.

Powertrains and Performance
All versions of the Mercury Mariner can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. A 2.3-liter inline-4 rated for 153 hp and 152 pound-feet of torque powers the base Mariner. The base V6 and Premier models come with a 3.0-liter V6 good for 200 hp and 193 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a four-speed automatic transmission. Properly equipped, the V6 Mariner can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

© Source: edmunds

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