Posted: Thursday, November 24, 2005.

Mercury Mariner: Launching A New SUV

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Jackson Autos

With the addition of the small SUV Mariner to the Mercury models, another gap in their line up has been filled. Further timing could not be better since the market has shifted to the mini Utes.

Admittedly, this Mercury is the third rendition of the highly successful Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute genre. Each one has its own spin—the Escape is the practical, punchy SUV, the Mazda, with a reworked suspension, has more zoom-zoom, and now the more luxurious and feature equipped Mariner version.

Recently, Mercury announced that Mariner, like the Escape, will have a hybrid version to add to the V-6 and 4 cylinder powerplants.

Both the Escape and Tribute, in different years, won the best vehicle for Hawaii from Wheels (fka Island Driver) for their small footprint, excellent handling, and cargo hauling versatility.

The Mercury version is now arguably the best looking of the three with chrome planted in various places and the better looking front fascia with the vertical grill bars and more integrated look. Likewise, the higher end Mariner has a better-looking interior particularly when the leather and suede interior scheme is chosen.

All of the basic Escape/Tribute ingredients are present—unibody, fully independent suspension, a 153 hp, 4 cylinder engine, an optional 200 hp, 3.0 liter V-6, and now the high mileage hybrid combo of a 4 cylinder gas powerplant and electric motor. With the latter the EPA mileage figures are 31 city/29 highway. No stick shift is offered on the gas powerplants since a 4-speed automatic is the one and only transmission. Front wheel drive is standard and 4-wheel drive is optional. On the hybrid the 4-wheel drivetrain is standard.

Shoving Off
For our scenic cruise in and around our fair island, a more or less fully equipped Luxury model was tested. The starting launch price was $23,285 and topped off at $26,880 with the additions of the moonroof and tuner package (6 CD, MP3) for additional $1,240, side step rails and racks ($350), leather interior ($795), and comfort group ($595).

Even though Luxury version is between the so-called starter model (called Convenience) and the highest end Premier, the interior leather package spoke well. The leather seats had nice contrasting stitching on the borders, and there was real chrome on the door handles and around the gearshift lever.

True, there is the now mandatory faux metal everywhere else—center console, center of the dash, and the rings around the speakers and gauges. Finally, the center of the dash had a large piece of "wood" (the plastic version) surrounding the stereo and A/C controls. But all in all, the interior presented an attractive package.

Except for the somewhat busy and over buttoned stereo/CD set up, the controls are logically laid out and easy to handle. An information center is found in the dash pod and on the tilt steering wheel, the cruise control functions are placed. The gearshift lever has a button to lock out fourth gear for trailering or carrying a heavy load over the Pali and such.

Rear Deck
With front wheel drive, the floor in the back seat is flat and Mercury has wisely chosen to keep the rear seat flat so that three people can actually sit together in comfort. Cup holders pop out of the back of the front console.

Knee room and other rear measurements are good and real adults will find room to maneuver. Unlike other SUVs, there are no rear airvents. But three adjustable headrests are found on the back of the rear seat.

Unless the front seats are moved far forward, the headrests have to be removed to lay down the 60/40 split rear sit backs.

Behind the second row of seats is a fairly spacious open area. For placing smaller items in the back area, the back window opens separately from the liftgate. Both a wiper and washer can be employed to clear the rear window.

Ready To Launch
The spunky 200 hp V-6 will launch the Mariner with some thrust—so much so that the front wheels can burn rubber (or maybe a better description is chirp rubber) remembering that this is a front wheel driver vehicle. The four speed automatic works will with the engine to produce little or no detectable shifts. Unless really pushed the powerplant is vibration free and muted in lower rpm range.

Gas mileage in the windward to town and back commutes ranged from a low of 17 to a high of 23 and centered around 20 mpg.

As with its cousins, the Mariner is also handler among the compact SUVs—turn in is sharp, steering is direct and the ride is good. And since the Mariner is shorter than most compact cars, maneuvering in parking lots and tight places is a snap. Although wind and tire noise has been suppressed in this version, it is still present.

Side bolstering is found on the bottom and back of the seats and the cushioning is medium soft and not as firm as in the Escape and Tribute. Fortunately, the door panels have been upgraded and redesigned to make them much less "plasticity".

At The Dock
With this round of the Ford/Mazda/Mercury compact SUV, the Mariner version is the handsomest of the lot with its more upscale exterior and interior. Yet all of the good futures of other two remain—zippy performance and handling, excellent utility, and a small exterior footprint.

Now there is even a hybrid edition as well. Therefore if you are thinking compact SUV, it maybe time to launch a Mariner down the road for a test drive.

Q&A
Q: There is one usual aspect of the Mercury line up that differs from almost everyone else? What is it?

A: Now every Mercury model starts with the letter M——Mountaineer (standard size SUV), Marquis (large 4 door rear wheel drive sedan, although it has the word Grand in front of it), Montego (large front wheel drive sedan), Monterey (minivan), Milan (the just introduced medium sized 4 door sedan) and now the Mariner. The Sable is almost pau, and has gone out of production.

High Beams
• Best looking in and out of the Escape/Tribute/Mariner trio.
• Still one of the best compact SUVs.
• Good handling and zippy performance.

Low Beams
• Could still use some work on interior wind and road noise.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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