Motion Potion: Oh yes, baby
Mr. Mariner proved to be a gentleman on the road—and it’s safe to say he looks like he works out at the gym regularly. Tight in all the right places, he proved he could hold it all together on fast turns with four-wheel independent suspension and, for an SUV, reasonably agile maneuverability. And that’s a combination that could turn even a good girl into having fun in the fast lane. Yeah, it looked like Mr. Mariner could definitely hold his own in Christine’s sedan comparison game. Nimble on his feet with a fun-lovin’ nature, it’s safe to say that we both thought this was an SUV with a definite car-driving feel.
But don’t get him wrong—with unibody construction, he’s also the strong and silent type: And compared to the ’07 model, he’s 12 percent quieter on the highway and 20 percent quieter in high velocity cross winds. Not that we were caught in any—but we’ll take Ford’s word for it.
Ford’s Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) proved to be smooth—with only an occasional hesitation that happened on downhill stretches when the engine and electric motor were in idle mode. Overall, this powertrain provides a satisfying driving experience. Blindfold the average passenger and don’t let on they’re riding in a hybrid—we don’t think they’d be the wiser. Well, the auto shut-off at stop signs and traffic lights might give it away, and they might actually hear the birds sing when cruisin’ below 30 mph. Even Scott was becoming a believer—the engineers at Merc really did do their homework. And they were poised to get a pretty good grade.
Continued below ...
The Enviro-meter: A double-take on SUV mpg
With the standard front-wheel drive option, our real-life fuel economy tallied up to 32.8 mpg for zipping around town and highway. Yeah, from an SUV. We were thrilled to know we had a 490-mile range when the 15-gallon tank was topped off.
Compare that to 22 average mpg for a conventional FWD Mariner, with a shorter range of 363 miles on a larger 16.5-gallon tank. According to fueleconomy.gov, the FWD Mariner Hybrid’s petroleum oil consumption is about 10.7 barrels of crude annually—compared to 15.6 barrels for the regular FWD Mariner. Driving an average of 15,000 miles per year, greenhouse gas emissions for the hybrid come in at 5.7 tons/year, where the regular FWD Mariner will total 8.3 tons/year.
Choose the Mariner's 4WD option and your mileage will drop while your carbon output and oil consumption will rise. The 4WD Hybrid’s mileage drops to an average 28 mpg, according to fueleconomy.gov. But that’s still significantly better than the standard 4WD Mariner at 21 mpg.
The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and is available in all 50 states. Yes indeed, it looks like Mr. Mariner could even add thrifty to his long list of character traits.
When it’s all said & done: As good as a best bud
For the modern driver looking to combine tight handling, a car-like feel, plus good fuel economy in a new SUV, Mr. Mariner provides a very persuasive persona. In fact, there’s not one thing that we can point to that hints of the need for any therapy, much less self-help. Suave and stylish yet thrifty and practical, he’s got muscle to hold his own with the best of ‘em, and we bet he’ll prove to be a reliable best bud for the next generation of smart SUV drivers.
Pros:
- Zippy and fun to drive
- Full hybrid fuel efficiency
- Practical, cargo-hauling capacity
Cons:
- Ride is a tad firm, even with recalibrated suspension
- Back seat space limited
- Mild air-buffeting when windows are down
Who Should Buy the Mercury Mariner Hybrid: Anyone in the market for a smaller-size SUV who wants to extend their fuel mileage.
Who Should Not Buy the Mercury Mariner Hybrid: Folks with deep pockets who would rather be driving larger, thirsty SUVs.
Rebate & Credit Run-down:
Buy the Mercury Mariner FWD and you’re qualified for a $3,000 tax credit. This, coupled with the hybrid’s first year’s fuel savings of $640 (compared to driving 15,000 miles in a conventional Mariner) will negate the $5,000 hybrid price premium in the third year of ownership, with each consecutive year's fuel savings staying in your pocket. Just think, keep that Mariner for 10 years and that's $6,400 (or more) in your money market account.
Choose the 4-wheel drive model and your tax credit will drop to $2,200, along with the corresponding dip in fuel mileage, so it’ll just take a bit longer to recoup the expense.
Details and Specs:
Technical Features: 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder Atkinson style engine, electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), anti-locking braking system (ABS), 4-wheel independent suspension
Safety Features: driver & front passenger dual-stage airbags, side intrusion door beams, safety canopy system, lower anchors & tethers for children (LATCH)
Interior Features: AM/FM/6-CD changer, dual zone electronic auto climate control, power door locks and windows, remote keyless entry w/keypad
Page One: Initial Impressions, Insider's View and Fuel-ability
Photos from the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid test drive and review