^®

why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

10 Best Sedans Under $25,000

2010 Mercury Mariner

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 5 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2011 Mercury Mariner

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Mercury Mariner Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Compared to the somewhat rugged look of the Ford Escape, the Mercury Mariner – recently redesigned with new sheetmetal and a fresh interior – offers a more upscale, urban take on the small SUV. Although the two vehicles are mechanically identical, the 2010 Mariner's exterior clearly sets it apart from the Escape in both looks and image. Among its strong points is the powertrain line-up, with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder, an optional V6 and an available hybrid version. The Mariner is a worthy alternative to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox, and could be well worth the price for those looking for a compact SUV with unique styling and an available hybrid powertrain.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're in the market for a small SUV and would like the option of a V6 engine or hybrid powertrain, and with more refined styling than the Ford Escape, the 2010 Mercury Mariner would be worth a look.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking to seat more than five, the 2010 Mercury Mariner does not offer the option of a third-row seat.

What's New for 2010

The 2010 Mercury Mariner places an emphasis on increased safety this year, offering an available blind spot mirror for improved blind spot visibility, MyKey programmable key, a rear view monitor and SYNC 911 assist with traffic updates, direction and information assist. Also new is Active Park Assist, which uses sonar guidance and the vehicle's electric power steering to assist with parallel parking maneuvers.

Driving the Mariner

Driving Impressions The Mariner's 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine delivers strong low-end torque combined with good fuel economy to create a very livable daily driver. The standard six-speed automatic operates effortlessly and helps...

the Mariner see improvements in both performance and fuel economy. Handling is best described as respectable, but not as tight or confident as experienced in more car-like utility vehicles, such as the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rouge. The electric-assist power steering system delivers good steering response and eliminates the need for a belt-driven pump, which draws power from the engine.

Favorite Features

Reverse Sensing System
Although the Mariner is small and easy to maneuver in tight parking situations, this feature is still very helpful for peace of mind.

AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
Other vehicles in its class offer a stability system, but the Mariner's AdvanceTrac uses a secondary roll-rate sensor, along with automatically and selectively applying the brakes and reducing engine power, to help reduce the chances of a roll-over.

2010 Mercury Mariner Details

Interior

Over the years Mercury has continued to make major improvements to the Mariner's interior and the result is lavish, yet tasteful interior that far exceed the Mariner's price point. Depending on the trim level, the seats are available in a monochromatic color scheme or two-toned with Alcantara suede inserts. The standard "top-of-dash" display, which shows radio, climate control readout and temperatures both inside and out, promotes safety and convenience by being positioned at eye level. The radio and climate controls are arranged in what Mercury calls the new "poke through" configuration; the buttons and knobs are raised rather than flush, replacing the "brick" design from the previous generation.

Exterior

The 2010 Mercury Mariner benefits from a recent redesign that included bolder front and rear fascias, new head and taillamps and a signature waterfall grille that has bigger spacing between the bars. The new roof panel has recessed channels that reduce noise in the cabin as well as horizontal ribbing that strengthens the chassis.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In base form, the 2010 Mercury Mariner comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, speed-sensitive Electric Power Assist Steering system, Ford's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags. Creature comforts include rear defroster, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, fog lamps, keyless keypad entry system, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, air conditioning, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, an auxiliary input jack, SIRIUS Satellite Radio capability and a single-CD/MP3 player with four speakers.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim and include an Audiophile sound system, DVD-based navigation with 10GB hard drive storage and rear-view camera, the SYNC in-car communication and entertainment system (standard on Premier and Hybrid), a six-disc in-dash CD player, power moonroof, premium leather seating, Reverse Sensing System, Active Park Assist, MyKey, 17-inch wheels, roof rack with crossbars, ambient lighting, heated side mirrors, six-way power driver's seat, a lockable wet storage compartment, heated front seats, rear seat entertainment system, integrated side steps, remote start and a full-size spare.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Mercury Mariner employs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing to achieve an impressive EPA rating of 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg city. The larger 3.0-liter V6 was updated last year with a higher compression ratio and added an additional 40 horsepower. The 3.0-liter provides better acceleration and the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds, but its city fuel economy ratings only reach the high teens. Those looking for maximum fuel economy should opt for the hybrid powertrain, which uses the same all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. Unlike its Ford twin, the Mariner does not offer a manual transmission.

2.5-liter in-line 4
171 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
171 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 (FWD), 20/26 (4WD)

3.0-liter V6
240 horsepower @ 6550 rpm
223 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 (FWD, gasoline), 14/19 (FWD, E85), 18/23 (4WD, gasoline), 13/17 (4WD, E85)

2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motor
153 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
94 horsepower @ 5000 (electric motor)
136 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 34/31 (2WD), 30/27 (AWD)

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Mercury Mariner Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 111 Ratings for the 2008 - 2012 Mercury Mariner models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

8.6/10
Comfort

8.7/10

Styling

8.9/10

Terrible transmission and throttle problems!

By froggie (NY) on Sunday, March 25, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 46,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 4/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 3/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Size and color availability"

Cons: "Too many mechanical problems"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Nobody stocks an oil filter for this vehicle except my dealer, I don't know why. The noisiest car I have ever owned. Stay away from the 2 wheel drive unless you like replacing wheel bearings. The first three months we owned this car it spent 18 days in the shop.Can't wait to trade it in on a Chevy."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Unexpected pleasure

By xltoffroadbear (NY) on Saturday, March 24, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my Mariner based on price. I was not in love with it when I picked it up, but it really grew on me. First, it has one of the most comfortable interiors of any small SUV on the market. Mine is the 2.5 liter 4 cyl AWD model and when new I could only get 26 mpg on the highway, but now I see 28 mpg on a regular basis. A month after picking it up I had to drive through a major winter storm and was amazed at how the Mariner coped with the slick snow and ice. My experience had always been in Part Time 4 Wheel Drive trucks, where you either had to pull a lever or at least push a button to engage. The lack of such a button and and indication that AWD was engaged caused a little unease, but I made that 2 hour drive through the worst winter storm I had ever experienced with no slip or slide. It may not be cutting edge styling, but comfortable and capable with very decent economy have really proven the Mariner's worth. Heated Leather seats, moonroof, nice stereo and SYNC add all the extra near luxury touches for a very reasonable price"

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse