2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review

PROS
Good passenger and cargo room, Fuel efficient around town, Maneuverable

CONS
Too noisy, Bouncy ride, Plastic interior

Unless your name is Rip Van Winkle, you know all about hybrids. They are vehicles that are powered by two forms of energy. Today's hybrids marry a gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by a battery to drive the wheels. The beauty of this system is you get the energy efficiency of the electric motor for slow speeds and short trips, and the long-distance cruising range of a traditional gas engine.

Mercury's hybrid, the Mariner, is a compact sport-utility vehicle that uses a hybrid technology that is licensed from Toyota. It uses a 133-horsepower four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. They are joined at an orbital transmission that allows each power source to operate independently. This system allows the vehicle to be driven at speeds up to thirty miles per hour in electric-only mode. Like most hybrids, the batteries are recharged during braking and in constant cruising so there is no need to plug Mariner in at night.

Of course there are traditional versions of the Mariner as well. Mercury offers the vehicle in Base and Premiere trim with four-cylinder and V6 engines. All three models are available in front- or all-wheel drive and come with front bucket seats, a three-place, split-folding rear bench seat, and a tailgate with a separate opening glass.

Mercury redesigned Mariner for 2008, giving it new interior and exterior styling. Dimensions change only fractionally and Mariner continues to share chassis and engines with the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. Standard safety equipment on all Mariner models includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment, antilock brakes, and tire-pressure monitor. Stability control is standard on the Base and Premier but not offered on the Hybrid. A rear-obstacle-detection system is optional on the Base and standard on other models.

The 2WD Mariner Hybrid has a base price of $27,195. That includes dual-zone automatic climate control with air conditioning, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer and digital-media player connection, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic headlights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, floormats, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, fog lights, 235/70R16 tires, and alloy wheels.

Key options include leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation system, satellite radio, sunroof, and remote engine start. Available only on Hybrid models is a 110-volt power outlet and a premium package that adds a hybrid energy-flow display. Mariner is built in the United States.

Get up and Go
Mariner Hybrid drives much like a conventionally powered four-cylinder SUV. That means it has adequate acceleration around town and modest passing power. A light throttle foot allows the hybrid powertrain to accelerate up to 30 mph using solely the electric motors. If more acceleration is called for, the gas engine automatically kicks in to provide an added boost. In highway driving, the gas engine runs all of the time.

As you might expect, this type of technology is most efficient at lower speeds where the electric motors assist acceleration and provide a charge to the battery using regenerative braking. Mariner Hybrid is also handicapped in extreme cold or heat where the batteries are least efficient and there is heavy demand on the climate-control system.

This is reflected in the Mariner Hybrid's EPA ratings of 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. While the city number is extremely impressive compared to other four-cylinder compact SUVs, which routinely get about 23 mpg, the highway number is only slightly above average for a compact SUV. In routine city driving it is easy to net more than 30 mpg with only a slight adjustment in driving style. Highway driving will drop economy a bit, but 28 mpg is easily possible on full-time highway trips. Mercury says that Mariner Hybrid will run fine on regular-grade gasoline.

On the Road
Mariner and the nearly identical Ford Escape have a very similar ride, with the Mariner sporting a slightly softer ride. Compared to newer compact SUVs, Mariners are more truck-like with less impact absorption and more bounding on the highway. The ride is never harsh or severe, but it isn't as smooth as it should be.

On the plus side, Mariner is quite nimble. Its compact size and direct steering give it a leg up on larger and more softly sprung SUVs. It may take some time for drivers to get used to the hybrid powertrain's unique regenerative braking system. The pedal feels mushy at first and panic stops require a firm stab at the pedal.

If you spend a lot of time cruising on the highway, you may find Mariner's interior noise levels slightly annoying. Wind rush is the main culprit, but the low-rolling-resistance tires also kick up a lot of racket on concrete surfaces. Mariner Hybrid's gasoline engine buzzes more than most other four-cylinder engines when cruising.

Behind the Wheel
Mariner features a contemporary and fresh interior. Most controls are close to hand and logical in operation. Gauges are directly behind the steering wheel. Window, lock, and mirror controls are positioned for easy operation. The optional navigation system's buttons are slightly more complicated than they need to be, but the system works well.

Materials and build quality seem to be a step down from the previous model, where faux chrome and brushed aluminum trim are replaced by hard surfaces of unremarkable plastic. Most disappointing is the fuzzy headliner that would be out of place in a vehicle costing thousands less.

Front bucket seats are chair-like, supportive, and nicely contoured. Head room is adequate and leg room good. Outward visibility is stellar and the available rear-park assist is a nice touch at this price point.

Rear seats are roomy for the class with generous head room and good knee space--even with the front seats all the way back. Further enhancing rear-seat comfort is a flat floor and comfortable seat.

Mariner's cargo area is generous, even by compact SUV standards. Its functionality is enhanced by a large tailgate with separate opening glass and a low load floor. Rear seatbacks fold flat to increase cargo space, but not before first tipping the seat bottoms forward and removing the headrests. Interior storage is adequate and no more.

Bottom Line
Though Hybrids are all the rage, it doesn't mean they are for everyone. Mariner Hybrid, and others like it, are most economical in city driving, so if you spend a lot of time on the highway, perhaps a conventional four-cylinder vehicle, or better yet, diesel model is right for you.

Still, the Mariner Hybrid is a roomy and reasonably priced compact SUV. Despite a reskin for 2008, it is showing its age when compared to newer designs like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4. However, when you consider price and all of the engine and vast array of available options, Mariner looks a lot more attractive.