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Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:mariner.jpg|right|300px]]
[[Image:06 Mariner Hybrid.jpg|2006 [[Mercury Mariner]] Hybrid|right|thumb|300px]]
The '''[[Mercury]] Mariner''' debuted in late 2004 as a 2005 compact [[SUV]], essentially a re-skinned Ford Escape with minor enhancements.  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.
[[Image:08 Mariner Hybid.jpg|2008 [[Mercury Mariner Hybrid]]|right|thumb|300px]]
Hop in the Mariner Hybrid and twist the key, clicking noises enimate, the engine cranks and quickly fires up.  In warm enough conditions, with all systems optimal, the gasoline engine will shuts down, and you drive completely under battery power.  The electric traction motor  with 94 [[HP]] (70-kilowatt) powers the Mariner Hybrid up to 20 mph or untill the throttle is pressed down hard.  At such a point, the 133 [[HP]] [http://mydatapages.com/atkinson_cycle.html Atkinson cycle] gasoline engine will fire up and join the traction motor to give the desired thrust.  The engine can also shut down while coasting or decelerating. The Mariner Hybrid is a full hybrid, meaning it will try to run on electricity alone whenever possible.


It is built on the Ford CD2 platform, which is in turn based on the Mazda GF platform, which was used by the [[Mazda 626]].
Power steering is electric, so even when you're running on battery power, there's no impromptu  steering wheel struggle when the gasoline motor turns off as it would normally in a normally aspirated Mariner (which uses a traditional engine-driven steering assist belt).
The [[Mercury]] Mariner is a sport utility vehicle, not a car, so ride quality is not on par with similar sized cars.  Still, the Mariner has some of the best ride qualities in its class. 
The four-speed automatic transmission works well with either engine, admirably holding the better gear for extended periods when stressed by terrain or load.  The all wheel-drive system (4WD) operates seamlessly, with no telltale hesitations as it re-routes power through its computer-controlled clutch to the rear wheels almost before the front wheels begin to lose grip. It will comfortably and confidently master snow-filled parking lots at the ski lodge and muddy driveways at the weekend cabin. However, the Mariner is not designed to navigate truly rugged terrain off road. 


Braking is responsive and the pedal feel was solid.   An extra degree of safety provided by [[electronic brake force distribution]], which the [[Escape]] also offers.  Front disc/rear drum brakes come on the Convenience model with its four-cylinder engine. The V6-powered Luxury and Premier models come with four-wheel disc brakes.  
Air conditioning is driven by the gasoline engine. When that engine shuts off, the AC will too.  These could leave drivers sweating in urban conditions so you are able to switch from AC to Max AC, which on the Mariner Hybrid, sends a signal to the engine to keep on turning.  


Where the Mariner has poor insulation from outside annoyances. At best, it is only marginally quieter than the Escape, with road noise and tire hiss clearly audible, and noticeable.  Fit and finish in the cabin was up to par, with no squeaking sounds or rattles heard.  
The [[Mercury Mariner Hybrid]] uses an adapted 2.3L four-cylinder engine that has been detuned. Atkinson cycle technology allows in less fuel and air, which improves efficiency at the cost of 20 [[HP]].  The combination of the Atkinson-cycle gas engine and electric traction motor makes for an effective 155 [[HP]], enough for a smart pull away.


The 3.0-liter [[V6]] engine gives brisk acceleration performance.  Buyers will not be looking for more power with this [[V6]] engine. The four-speed [[automatic transmission]] works well with it.  Upshifts and downshifts are quick, fluid and smooth.  The transmission always knows the best ratio to utilize.  Reviewers don't believe this engine to be the smoothest on the market, but they certainly haven't called it the roughest either. It remains more satisfying than the four-cylinder engines found in most compact sport-utilities. Noise, vibration and harshness go up a level on the 4 cylinder equipped modles. Noise and vibration reduction measures were taken in fitting the engine with a balance shaft, but further efforts should be made in future to further reduce interior noise.  This 2.3-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine iavailable on Convenience models. The four-wheel drive system is based on a [[front wheel drive]] platform.  Any serious gradients will leave this sport utility spinning its wheels. The suspension does not have the articulation needed for real off road conditions. Using this sport utility for everyday road travel, however, would be an excellent choice.  
Slowing and braking regenerates power to the supplemental battery, an array of 250 1.3-volt nickel-metal hydride D-cells under the cargo floor. The batteries plus the two motors add 300 pounds, for a total of 3,787 pounds curb weight. The batteries and electric motors are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles; the bulk of the car is 3/36. The Mariner's four-wheel drive and all-season tires will get you through most snowy weather. It's a fine vehicle for cruising two-lane roads (avoid passing) and interstates, but not for twisty mountain roads. At 70 inches high (and wide), stability control would help rein in overly exuberant driving; unfortunately, it's not available, so you're trading a measure of personal safety for environmental improvement.


===High Points===
The Mariner isn't the most quiet, but has plenty of backseat room, high seating, and a spacious carpeted cargo area. The premium audio system (seven speakers and a six-disc CD changer with  MP3 capability) sounds nice.  A $3,795 premium package (navigation, leather, premium audio with six-disc CD changer, parking sonar, cargo cover, heated front seats, side air curtains, and front side airbags) turn this vehicle into a very comfortable place to spend time. The radio/navigation package fits into a big dashboard cutout, but the LCD is only 4 inches.
*  V6 delivers good power and never seems to struggle
 
When navigation gets ordered, the standalone premium audio system's six-disc CD changer gets exiled under the passenger seat; in its place in-dash is a single CD-drive (nav or audio) requiring you to swap among the half-dozen discs covering the U.S. Almost every other maker has switched to DVD based navigation, since the extra few dollars a DVD drive costs gets buried in the $1,500-plus cost of these systems.
 
==High Points==
*  Fuel economy
*  Bold styling
*  Bold styling
*  Rides better, out handles most of its competition
*  Rides better, out handles most of its competition


===Low Points===
==Low Points==
*  I4 has anemic performance on highway
*  Tacky simulated wood trim
*  [[Jeep Liberty]] is more capable off road.
*  Navigation system far from the best available
*  Fuel consumption (V6 4WD)
*  Battery charge/motor assist gauge angled too oddly to view easily
 
===Performance and Handling===
[[Anti-lock brakes (ABS)]] operate smoothly.  Pedal response has been praised.  Drum brakes are used on the rear except on V6 4WD models and [[Escape Hybrid]], which have with four-wheel disc brakes.  [[Brake Assist]] helps handling, allowing full braking power when it senses the driver has mistakenly relaxed pressure on the brake pedal in an emergency stopping situation.  In addition, [[electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)]] provides more effective, more stable braking.


===Gas Mileage===
==Gas Mileage==
<table border=1 bordercolor=#000008>
<table border=1 bordercolor=#000008>
<tr bgcolor=#ccccc>
<tr bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=6>
<td colspan=4>
'''Trim'''
'''Trim'''
</td>
</td>
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<tr bgcolor=ffffcc>
<tr bgcolor=ffffcc>
<td>
<td>
FWD 2.3L manual
FWD 2.3L [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
FWD 2.3L automatic
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
Line 43: Line 40:
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
4WD 2.3L manual
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] 2.3L [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
</td>
<td>
4WD 2.3L automatic  
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
4WD 3.0L  
[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] 3.0L  
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
<tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=6 bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=4 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''Engine'''
'''Engine'''
</td>
</td>
Line 62: Line 56:
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
2.3L I-4
3.0L [[V6|V6]]
</td>
<td>
3.0L V6
</td>
<td>
2.3L I-4
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
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</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
3.0L V6
3.0L [[V6|V6]]
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
<tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=6 bgcolor=#ccccc>
<td colspan=4 bgcolor=#ccccc>
'''MPG (City/Highway)'''
'''MPG (City/Highway)'''
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<tr bgcolor=#ffffcc>
<td>
24/29
</td>
<td>
<td>
22/26
22/26
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<td>
<td>
20/24
20/24
</td>
<td>
22/26
</td>
</td>
<td>
<td>
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</table>
</table>


===Reliability and Maintenance===
==Reliability and Maintenance==
 
 
 
===Interior and Comforts===
To a large extent, what holds for the Mercury Mariner's exterior holds for its interior. If you like the Mountaineer's appointments and look, you'll like the Mariner's, as the designers have hewn closely to theme the larger Mountaineer established.


Seemingly central to the Mariner's essence is satin-finish aluminum, which abounds inside as well as out. From the instrument bezels to the center stack's vertical braces to the shift lever cap to the center console to the logo in the steering wheel hub to the flat surfaces on the door armrests, satin-finish trims and highlights. About the only interior metal surfaces that aren't satin-finish are the chrome inside door handles and accent ringing the shift lever in the center console. This isn't to complain, as the overall look is one of polish and refinement, which is helped by some wood-grain trim on the center stack and console.


Front bucket seats are nicely contoured and bolstered, and Mercury says advanced pressure-mapping techniques were employed to tune the seat foam. That may be, but the techniques used hadn't mapped our neighborhood, as we found ourselves squirming around in search of a more comfortable zone after only a short stay.


The rear seat, even though a split-to-fold 60/40 unit, is essentially a two-piece bench, as in, not the most accommodating for long drives. On the plus side, all five seating positions have three-point belts and adjustable head restraints.  
==Interior and Comforts==
The steering wheel is leather wrapped, but there are no audio volume/track buttons.  Some switches are awkwardly placed such as the seat heaters, low down next to the door pockets. The satin trim pieces are pleasant to the eye.  Many buyers won't feel the same about the simulated wood grain pieces.


That rear seat does fold almost flat, however, making for a commodious cargo space. Tie-down hooks are provided to secure odd-shaped or especially mobile objects. The rear quarter panel has open storage bins for smaller items. Front seatbacks host map pockets, as do both front doors. The overhead console (which the moonroof displaces) has two swing-down bins. The center console has two cupholders and a shallow bin forward of the shift lever.  
Buyers who opt for the navigation system, can bring up a Hyrid Energy Flow screen, although many may find it hard to figure out what's going on. More informative is the fuel consumption graph screen, which shows the last 15 minutes of economy figures. It is somewhat marred by lettering across the bottom which indicates the average. The 110-volt AC socket offered in the [[Ford Escape Hybrid]] isn't available in the Mariner Hybrid, which some buyers may find troublesome.


Cruise control buttons are smoothly integrated into the sides of the steering wheel hub. Power window buttons, however, are of the old-school type, i.e., non-child/curious pet-proof. The stereo, too, shouts standard Ford gear; as functional and easy-to-use as its controls are, they don't quite make premium grade.
==Exterior==
[[Mercury]]'s trademark satin-finish aluminum vertical-bar grille sits on a matching bumper inset, turn indicator lights are housed where the headlamp lenses wrap around the fenders and the central recess in the hood imbues the front fenders with a subtle shoulder look.  


===Exterior===
Borrowing from Europe, small turn-indicator repeater lights are positioned in the front quarter panels just aft of and slight above the front wheel wells.  Understated cladding preserves and protects the lower door panels and tie together the minimalist front and rear fender flares, nicely finishing the mid-door, horizontal character line optically connecting the front and rear bumpers. The tall glasshouse is properly proportioned to balance the body side panels. The angled C-pillar behind the rear side door accentuates the people-orientation of the Mariner Hybrid while acknowledging it can haul cargo, too.  
The trademark satin-finish aluminum vertical-bar grille sits on a matching bumper inset, turn indicator lights are housed where the headlamp lenses wrap around the fenders and the central recess in the hood imbues the front fenders with a subtle shoulder look.  


Borrowing from Europe, small turn-indicator repeater lights are positioned in the front quarter panels just aft of and slight above the front wheel wells. Understated cladding preserves and protects the lower door panels and tie together the minimalist front and rear fender flares, nicely finishing the mid-door, horizontal character line optically connecting the front and rear bumpers. The tall glasshouse is properly proportioned to balance the body side panels. The angled C-pillar behind the rear side door accentuates the people-orientation of the Mariner while acknowledging it can haul cargo, too.  
More satin-finish grille-like accents brace the taillamps. The side character line continues across the liftgate, swelling in the center to form a surround for the license plate recess. Another satin-finish inset separates the step-top of the rear bumper and the body-color lower fascia. Hybrid badges flank both front doors and the rear liftgate.


Tasteful, satin-finish, grille-like accents brace the taillamps. The side character line continues across the liftgate, swelling in the center to form a surround for the license plate recess. Another satin-finish inset separates the step-top of the rear bumper and the body-color lower fascia. Bright chrome exhaust tips finish the package
==Styles and Options==
The [[Mercury Mariner]] Hybrid is available in one 4-door body style.  [[Four wheel drive]] is standard.


===Styles and Options===
'''Standard Equipment'''
The Escape is available in one 4-door body style. [[Four wheel drive]] is standard.
*  6-way power adjustable driver's seat
*  Air conditioning
*  AM/FM stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer
*  Leather wrapped steering wheel
*  Rearview mirror with [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] dimming
*  Keyless entry keypad on driver's door
*  16" 5 spoke aluminum wheels
'''Safety Package - $595'''
*  Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain [[airbag]]s and rollover sensor
*  Front-seat side-impact [[airbag]]s
'''Premium Package - $3,795'''
*  Heated leather seating surfaces with perforated leather inserts
*  Reverse-sensing system
*  Upgraded audio system
*  [[Navigation System|Navigation system]] with [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability (Premium Package)
*  Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor
*  Front-seat side-impact airbags
*  Reverse sensing system
'''Optional Equipment'''
*  Power [[sunroof]] (requires Premium Package) - $585
*  Audiophile 6-disc in-dash CD changer with 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $595
* [[Navigation System|Navigation system]] with [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $1,995


===Main Competitors===
==Main Competitors==
*  [[Toyota RAV4]]
*  [[Toyota RAV4]]
*  [[Honda Element]]  
*  [[Honda Element]]  
*  [[Jeep Patriot]]
*  [[Jeep Liberty]]
*  [[Dodge Nitro]]  
*  [[Saturn VUE Green Line]]  
*  [[Kia Sportage]]
*  [[Kia Sportage]]
*  [[Ford Escape Hybrid]]


==Hybrid==
==External links==
* [http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/mariner/ Mercury Mariner - Official Site]
* [http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/marinerhybrid/microsite/default.asp Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Official Site]
* [http://www.escape-central.com/ Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast Site]


In 2004, the [[Ford Escape Hybrid]] was released.  This [[hybrid electric]] vehicle is 75% more fuel-efficient than the regular Escape according to Environmental Protection Agency tests and was the first [[SUV]] available to the public with hybrid technology.
[[Category: Model Reviews]]
 
==External links==
* [http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/mariner/ Mercury Mariner - Official website]
* [http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/marinerhybrid/microsite/default.asp Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Official website]
* [http://www.escape-central.com/ Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast site]

Latest revision as of 03:29, 10 September 2007

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Hop in the Mariner Hybrid and twist the key, clicking noises enimate, the engine cranks and quickly fires up. In warm enough conditions, with all systems optimal, the gasoline engine will shuts down, and you drive completely under battery power. The electric traction motor with 94 HP (70-kilowatt) powers the Mariner Hybrid up to 20 mph or untill the throttle is pressed down hard. At such a point, the 133 HP Atkinson cycle gasoline engine will fire up and join the traction motor to give the desired thrust. The engine can also shut down while coasting or decelerating. The Mariner Hybrid is a full hybrid, meaning it will try to run on electricity alone whenever possible.

Power steering is electric, so even when you're running on battery power, there's no impromptu steering wheel struggle when the gasoline motor turns off as it would normally in a normally aspirated Mariner (which uses a traditional engine-driven steering assist belt).

Air conditioning is driven by the gasoline engine. When that engine shuts off, the AC will too. These could leave drivers sweating in urban conditions so you are able to switch from AC to Max AC, which on the Mariner Hybrid, sends a signal to the engine to keep on turning.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid uses an adapted 2.3L four-cylinder engine that has been detuned. Atkinson cycle technology allows in less fuel and air, which improves efficiency at the cost of 20 HP. The combination of the Atkinson-cycle gas engine and electric traction motor makes for an effective 155 HP, enough for a smart pull away.

Slowing and braking regenerates power to the supplemental battery, an array of 250 1.3-volt nickel-metal hydride D-cells under the cargo floor. The batteries plus the two motors add 300 pounds, for a total of 3,787 pounds curb weight. The batteries and electric motors are warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles; the bulk of the car is 3/36. The Mariner's four-wheel drive and all-season tires will get you through most snowy weather. It's a fine vehicle for cruising two-lane roads (avoid passing) and interstates, but not for twisty mountain roads. At 70 inches high (and wide), stability control would help rein in overly exuberant driving; unfortunately, it's not available, so you're trading a measure of personal safety for environmental improvement.

The Mariner isn't the most quiet, but has plenty of backseat room, high seating, and a spacious carpeted cargo area. The premium audio system (seven speakers and a six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability) sounds nice. A $3,795 premium package (navigation, leather, premium audio with six-disc CD changer, parking sonar, cargo cover, heated front seats, side air curtains, and front side airbags) turn this vehicle into a very comfortable place to spend time. The radio/navigation package fits into a big dashboard cutout, but the LCD is only 4 inches.

When navigation gets ordered, the standalone premium audio system's six-disc CD changer gets exiled under the passenger seat; in its place in-dash is a single CD-drive (nav or audio) requiring you to swap among the half-dozen discs covering the U.S. Almost every other maker has switched to DVD based navigation, since the extra few dollars a DVD drive costs gets buried in the $1,500-plus cost of these systems.

High Points

  • Fuel economy
  • Bold styling
  • Rides better, out handles most of its competition

Low Points

  • Tacky simulated wood trim
  • Navigation system far from the best available
  • Battery charge/motor assist gauge angled too oddly to view easily

Gas Mileage

Trim

FWD 2.3L automatic

FWD 3.0L

4WD 2.3L automatic

4WD 3.0L

Engine

2.3L I-4

3.0L V6

2.3L I-4

3.0L V6

MPG (City/Highway)

22/26

20/24

21/24

19/23

Reliability and Maintenance

Interior and Comforts

The steering wheel is leather wrapped, but there are no audio volume/track buttons. Some switches are awkwardly placed such as the seat heaters, low down next to the door pockets. The satin trim pieces are pleasant to the eye. Many buyers won't feel the same about the simulated wood grain pieces.

Buyers who opt for the navigation system, can bring up a Hyrid Energy Flow screen, although many may find it hard to figure out what's going on. More informative is the fuel consumption graph screen, which shows the last 15 minutes of economy figures. It is somewhat marred by lettering across the bottom which indicates the average. The 110-volt AC socket offered in the Ford Escape Hybrid isn't available in the Mariner Hybrid, which some buyers may find troublesome.

Exterior

Mercury's trademark satin-finish aluminum vertical-bar grille sits on a matching bumper inset, turn indicator lights are housed where the headlamp lenses wrap around the fenders and the central recess in the hood imbues the front fenders with a subtle shoulder look.

Borrowing from Europe, small turn-indicator repeater lights are positioned in the front quarter panels just aft of and slight above the front wheel wells. Understated cladding preserves and protects the lower door panels and tie together the minimalist front and rear fender flares, nicely finishing the mid-door, horizontal character line optically connecting the front and rear bumpers. The tall glasshouse is properly proportioned to balance the body side panels. The angled C-pillar behind the rear side door accentuates the people-orientation of the Mariner Hybrid while acknowledging it can haul cargo, too.

More satin-finish grille-like accents brace the taillamps. The side character line continues across the liftgate, swelling in the center to form a surround for the license plate recess. Another satin-finish inset separates the step-top of the rear bumper and the body-color lower fascia. Hybrid badges flank both front doors and the rear liftgate.

Styles and Options

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is available in one 4-door body style. Four wheel drive is standard.

Standard Equipment

  • 6-way power adjustable driver's seat
  • Air conditioning
  • AM/FM stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer
  • Leather wrapped steering wheel
  • Rearview mirror with automatic dimming
  • Keyless entry keypad on driver's door
  • 16" 5 spoke aluminum wheels

Safety Package - $595

  • Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor
  • Front-seat side-impact airbags

Premium Package - $3,795

  • Heated leather seating surfaces with perforated leather inserts
  • Reverse-sensing system
  • Upgraded audio system
  • Navigation system with Hybrid energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability (Premium Package)
  • Safety Canopy™ System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor
  • Front-seat side-impact airbags
  • Reverse sensing system

Optional Equipment

  • Power sunroof (requires Premium Package) - $585
  • Audiophile 6-disc in-dash CD changer with 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $595
  • Navigation system with Hybrid energy flow display, 7-speakers & MP3 capability - $1,995

Main Competitors

External links

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