While sales in the large SUV segment have softened, small sport utes remain hot. Car-based Crossovers and more on-road compact SUVs continue to trend upwards in volume. The popularity of the breed lies largely in their versatility and all weather friendly, all wheel drive.
Mercury is a relative newcomer to the crossover segment. Their compact SUV Mariner first rolled out in 2005. Mariner is positioned slightly upstream from Escape--Ford's popular, compact SUV. Mariner returns for 2008 with new sheet metal, a fresh interior and chassis upgrades. Three models are offered--Mariner, Mariner Premier and Mariner Hybrid--in front-wheel drive or available all-wheel-drive. Power is supplied either by a 2.4-liter, 153-horsepower four-cylinder motor, a 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower six-cylinder, or a hybrid with a combination of a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor.
We drove a Premier trim level Mariner, with the V-6 engine and all wheel drive. The Duratec six is smooth and quiet. It rolls confidently away from a stop and cruises comfortably at highway speeds. The sole transmission choice is a four speed automatic. Many of its contemporaries field a five speed, but the Mercury's gearing matches well with the motor's power band. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 17 mpg city, 22 highway for a AWD model. That compares with 18/24 for front-wheel-drive models. Four-cylinder Mariners fair better at the pump, with estimates of 19/24 (AWD) and 20/26 (FWD). The true gas misers of the lineup are the Hybrids, with an estimated 29 city, 27 highway (AWD); 34/30 for front-wheel-drive versions. Those who tow will want to know that six cylinder Mariners can be equipped to pull a 3,500 lb. trailer.
Utility is an SUV's middle name, and Mariner scores points with a versatile, usable interior. There's room onboard for 4 to 5 adults and a generous amount of gear. Cargo capacity behind the back seat measures 29.3 cubic feet. An optional, pullout screen shields your belongings from inquiring eyes. If you need more space for parcels than people, the 60/40 split rear seat folds flush with the floor (though you've got to remove the head restraints first), expanding your capacity to 66.3 cubic feet. Liftover height is low and the top-hinged liftgate door swings high enough to clear a six-footer's head.
Underneath the rear cargo area carpet is a lockable space perfect for keeping wet gear away from dry items. Meanwhile up front, passengers are seated in handsome, well-appointed surroundings. The décor has been revamped for '08 with new seats, seat fabrics, floor console shifter and chrome and satin finish trim. At the top of the dashboard center stack is a display panel with readouts for inside/outside temperature, radio functions and climate control status. Dashboard gauges are now lit in an easy on the eyes light blue. New standard features in the cabin this year include side curtain airbags, an MP3 audio jack and a cavernous center console storage bin, capable of swallowing a laptop computer.
Mariner gets a new, speed sensitive electronic power steering system for 2008, and the four-wheel independent suspension has been retuned. On the road, Mercury's smallest sport utility feels stable and solid, and its compact dimensions are right-sized: big enough to be people and cargo friendly, but small enough that it's easy to maneuver and park. Visibility is generally good in all directions, though the outside back seat head restraints take a bite out of the driver's rear view. Thicker glass and more carpet make for less noise inside. The available all wheel drive system needs no input from the driver, automatically providing added grip as needed. Plenty of onboard electronics (roll stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes) help the driver track true when road and weather conditions deteriorate.
All of the above is wrapped in new sheet metal for '08. Crossovers tend to fall into two camps design-wise; those that look like wagons and those that look like SUVs. With its square-shoulder styling, count Mariner in the latter category. The second generation Mariner loses the body side molding and cladding of the former models for a cleaner look, and adds a bolder, "waterfall" grille and more bright-work trim. Everything from headlights to taillights, front to back fascias, hood, liftgate and b-pillar moldings are new. Mariner's new styling ties a refined ribbon around a capable, compact package.
by Dan Lyons of automedia.com
Mercury is a relative newcomer to the crossover segment. Their compact SUV Mariner first rolled out in 2005. Mariner is positioned slightly upstream from Escape--Ford's popular, compact SUV. Mariner returns for 2008 with new sheet metal, a fresh interior and chassis upgrades. Three models are offered--Mariner, Mariner Premier and Mariner Hybrid--in front-wheel drive or available all-wheel-drive. Power is supplied either by a 2.4-liter, 153-horsepower four-cylinder motor, a 3.0-liter, 200-horsepower six-cylinder, or a hybrid with a combination of a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor.We drove a Premier trim level Mariner, with the V-6 engine and all wheel drive. The Duratec six is smooth and quiet. It rolls confidently away from a stop and cruises comfortably at highway speeds. The sole transmission choice is a four speed automatic. Many of its contemporaries field a five speed, but the Mercury's gearing matches well with the motor's power band. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 17 mpg city, 22 highway for a AWD model. That compares with 18/24 for front-wheel-drive models. Four-cylinder Mariners fair better at the pump, with estimates of 19/24 (AWD) and 20/26 (FWD). The true gas misers of the lineup are the Hybrids, with an estimated 29 city, 27 highway (AWD); 34/30 for front-wheel-drive versions. Those who tow will want to know that six cylinder Mariners can be equipped to pull a 3,500 lb. trailer.
Utility is an SUV's middle name, and Mariner scores points with a versatile, usable interior. There's room onboard for 4 to 5 adults and a generous amount of gear. Cargo capacity behind the back seat measures 29.3 cubic feet. An optional, pullout screen shields your belongings from inquiring eyes. If you need more space for parcels than people, the 60/40 split rear seat folds flush with the floor (though you've got to remove the head restraints first), expanding your capacity to 66.3 cubic feet. Liftover height is low and the top-hinged liftgate door swings high enough to clear a six-footer's head.
Underneath the rear cargo area carpet is a lockable space perfect for keeping wet gear away from dry items. Meanwhile up front, passengers are seated in handsome, well-appointed surroundings. The décor has been revamped for '08 with new seats, seat fabrics, floor console shifter and chrome and satin finish trim. At the top of the dashboard center stack is a display panel with readouts for inside/outside temperature, radio functions and climate control status. Dashboard gauges are now lit in an easy on the eyes light blue. New standard features in the cabin this year include side curtain airbags, an MP3 audio jack and a cavernous center console storage bin, capable of swallowing a laptop computer.
Mariner gets a new, speed sensitive electronic power steering system for 2008, and the four-wheel independent suspension has been retuned. On the road, Mercury's smallest sport utility feels stable and solid, and its compact dimensions are right-sized: big enough to be people and cargo friendly, but small enough that it's easy to maneuver and park. Visibility is generally good in all directions, though the outside back seat head restraints take a bite out of the driver's rear view. Thicker glass and more carpet make for less noise inside. The available all wheel drive system needs no input from the driver, automatically providing added grip as needed. Plenty of onboard electronics (roll stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes) help the driver track true when road and weather conditions deteriorate.
All of the above is wrapped in new sheet metal for '08. Crossovers tend to fall into two camps design-wise; those that look like wagons and those that look like SUVs. With its square-shoulder styling, count Mariner in the latter category. The second generation Mariner loses the body side molding and cladding of the former models for a cleaner look, and adds a bolder, "waterfall" grille and more bright-work trim. Everything from headlights to taillights, front to back fascias, hood, liftgate and b-pillar moldings are new. Mariner's new styling ties a refined ribbon around a capable, compact package.
by Dan Lyons of automedia.com
