Mercury Mariner Review

2008 Mercury Mariner Premier SUV Shown

Small SUVs like the Mercury Mariner represent one of the near-perfect compromises of the automotive world. They allow consumers to sit up high with a broad view of the road, load up children and cargo without bending and twisting, and plow through freak winter storms without stopping to put on snow chains. Yet, unlike larger SUVs, they're easy to drive, easy to park and (mostly) easy on the wallet when it comes time to refuel.

As such, having a compact sport-utility in the lineup is a must for any successful automotive brand. Mercury was a latecomer to this segment, adding the Mariner to its portfolio for 2005. Only three years later, it received a thorough freshening for 2008.While its significant exterior and interior changes make it look like an all-new vehicle, the Mariner is mechanically very much the same SUV.

Positioned as one of the more upscale small sport-utilities, the Mercury Mariner comes with all the amenities you'll need regardless of the trim level you select. Newer compact SUVs offer more refinement, power and/or fuel economy, but the Mariner's available luxury features and reasonable price keep it worthy of a test-drive.

Current Mercury Mariner

A sibling of the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, the Mercury Mariner compact SUV uses all the same underpinnings, but is differentiated by unique styling touches inside and out. Its cabin treatment in particular is much sharper, with snazzy color schemes and tasteful use of satin-finish metallic trim.

The Mariner is available in three trim levels: base inline-4, base V6 and Premier. Available engines are a 2.3-liter inline-4 that makes 153 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter V6 making 200 hp -- both of which come with a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on all trims. Mariners come well-equipped, with standard air-conditioning, privacy glass, auxiliary audio jack, full power accessories and keyless entry. The Premier model adds niceties like parking sensors, leather/Alcantara upholstery, power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror and in-dash CD changer. Touchscreen navigation, satellite radio and heated front seats are among the luxury options.

Although the Mariner has been a favorite of ours in the past, the current model's mostly cosmetic changes aren't enough to keep up in the fast-moving compact SUV game. It is eclipsed by recently revamped and more competent rivals from Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi, and we recommend that you try them before buying a Mariner.

Past Mercury Mariners

The Mercury Mariner was introduced for 2005. Although nearly identical mechanically to the current model, its thorough exterior and interior changes make earlier Mariners a much different vehicle. Specifically, although snazzier than its contemporary Ford Escape sibling, the Mercury version still suffered from poor interior materials.

Trim levels on this Mariner consisted of entry-level Convenience, midlevel Luxury and high-line Premier. The Convenience model offered basics like air-conditioning, a CD player and power accessories, while the Luxury moved you up to a V6 engine and a few more standard and optional features. The Premier provided most of the desirable stuff standard, including rear parking sensors and side airbags. The engines were the same as those found in the current Mariner.

Just as with today's revised Mariner, this "original" model was pleasant to drive, with tight and responsive handling that only fails to impress when compared with newer compact SUVs. Unless fuel economy is of utmost importance, we would suggest opting for a used Mariner with the V6 engine.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.