2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Base MSRP: $29,750 to $31,500

Reviewed

December 2008

Pros

Attractive, upscale styling
Top SUV fuel economy rating
Excellent crash ratings
Smooth gas/electric power transition
Advanced SYNC infotainment option

Cons

Hybrid price premium
Not as refined as some rivals
Poor braking performance, soft handling
Rear seats are tough to fold

Our Analysis

The 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a compact SUV that shares its platform with the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (Base MSRP: $29,305 to $33,385) and 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (Base MSRP: $28,175 to $32,445). The trio claim the honor of being the most fuel-efficient SUVs available, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 34/31 city/hwy mpg for the front-wheel drive versions and 29/27 mpg for the all-wheel-drive variants. The best mileage from a non-hybrid 2009 Mercury Mariner (Base MSRP: $22,650 to $27,515) is 20/28 mpg. The Mariner SUV offers a full hybrid system rated at 177 horsepower, with two electric motors matched with a larger, more powerful four-cylinder engine for 2009. The Mariner received a styling facelift in 2008, and it gets numerous additional refinements for 2009, including a smoother ride and better-quality interior materials, reviews say.

Critics report the attractive Mariner is mostly successful in its attempt to appear more upscale than the Ford Escape, although a few of the interior materials are less than premium and the rear seat is an awkward-to-fold design. As a full hybrid, the Mariner offers better fuel economy than the less sophisticated 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid (Base MSRP: $27,930), which employs a "mild" hybrid system, or the more expensive 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Base MSRP: $34,700 to $41,020). The Mariner Hybrid's premium price prompts comparisons to some non-hybrid competitors in similar or lower price ranges, such as the 2009 Toyota Highlander (Base MSRP: $25,705 to $34,520) and 2009 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,095 to $28,795), which reviews say offer stronger performance and more overall refinement.

Edmunds.com offers a comprehensive, well-balanced summary evaluation. Automobile Magazine gives a variety of perspectives from its staff writers. CNET focuses on the new SYNC technology in the Mariner's cabin and gives general test-drive impressions. Additional well-written road-test reports are found at Autoblog.com and the Green Car Journal. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Mariner its Top Safety Pick honor for crash-test results.

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Editors say the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is "as good as they come." Fuel economy is the best of any SUV, and acceleration is called "satisfactory." But the Mariner Hybrid loses some appeal when compared with non-hybrid SUVs available at lower prices.

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Five staff writers give a variety of opinions on the Mariner Hybrid. Phil Floraday comments that the Mariner and Ford Escape hybrids "are probably the best products in the Ford portfolio right now." Test drivers have praise for the Mariner's ride, roominess and features, especially the optional SYNC infotainment system.

Review: Reviews: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD, Jean Jennings, Joe DeMatio, Amy Skogstrom, Sam Smith, Phil Floraday, Nov. 9, 2008

3. CNET

CNET writer Wayne Cunningham gives his general impressions of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid with an emphasis on the vehicle's technological features such as SYNC. The navigation, hands-free phone and hard-drive music system get high marks, while the audio quality is called "underwhelming" for serious music lovers.

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Wayne Cunningham, Nov. 6, 2008

4. Autoblog.com

Autoblog's Chris Shunk is impressed with the improved ride and interior quality of the Mariner, commenting that it is a "more competent, more refined and more powerful vehicle than the model it replaced." The test vehicle averaged 32 mpg in mixed driving.

Review: Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Chris Shunk, June 25, 2008

5. GreenCar.com

Green Car Journal explains many of the hybrid Mariner's technological features, such as the four-cylinder engine's use of the gas-saving Atkinson cycle. Test driver Todd Kaho reports, "We wouldn't go so far as calling the ride or handling qualities refined, but they certainly are pleasant."

Review: 2009 Mariner Hybrid Scores High, Todd Kaho, Sept. 15, 2008

6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Mercury Mariner, with a road-test evaluation and specific reliability history of the Hybrid version, as compiled in large owner surveys. You must be a subscriber to read this report.

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner review, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

7. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The 2009 Mercury Mariner is among the handful of SUVs to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award. Each of the vehicles must earn ratings of "Good" in frontal- and side-impact crash tests, as well as in evaluations of head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. In addition, each winning vehicle must offer electronic stability control.

Review: Top Safety Picks, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

8. AutomoBlog

This rather brief review is mostly descriptive with a few driving impressions. The writer is impressed with "getting small car fuel economy out of an SUV," recording an average of 34.7 mpg during the test drive. Complaints include "touchy brakes," some wind and road noise and a lack of power under medium-to-hard acceleration.

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review, Chris Burdick, Nov. 11, 2008

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