Used 2011 Mercury Mariner

The Mercury Mariner is based on the Ford Escape, and both suffer from bodywork that comes from a time when small SUVs aped their larger counterparts. More-recently released vehicles in this class are car-like crossovers. While the Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape are mechanically identical, the Mariner is a more upscale, urban take on the small SUV. Both vehicles feature a varied powertrain lineup, with four-cylinder, V6 and hybrid power offerings. Given that the Mercury brand is being shuttered and the Escape is soon to be redesigned, small SUV buyers might be better served by the likes of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. However, we are still fond of the Mercury Mariner’s efficient hybrid model.

The 2011 Mercury Mariner’s 171-horsepower base engine provides strong low-end torque for quick starts but still records 28 miles per gallon in the government’s highway driving test. The standard six-speed automatic transmission is well matched to the engine. It’s tuned for fuel economy but delivers responsive downshifts when the driver needs acceleration. Despite the looks, handling isn’t truck-like and sluggish. However, it isn’t as tight or as confident as more car-like competitors such as the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rouge. The electric-assist power steering system offers a responsive, natural feel while aiding fuel economy by eliminating the losses associated with a belt-driven hydraulic pump.

The 2011 Mercury Mariner’s interior is a step above that of the Ford Escape. While it features some nice touches, more recent Ford Motor Company cabins boast better materials. We are impressed with the available two-tone seats with Alcantara suede inserts. The "top-of-dash" display is easy to read because it’s positioned at eye level. The display shows radio, climate control readout and temperatures both inside and out. The radio and climate controls are also easy to use. With its upright styling, the Mariner has plenty of room for five passengers and a useful cargo hold. The second-row seats fold down in a 60/40 split.

With its upright styling, the 2011 Mercury Mariner looks like a smaller version of a two-generations-old Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer. The look is a bit softer than its Escape sibling, thanks to Mercury’s signature waterfall grille. More modern crossovers sit lower and look more car-like.

Reverse Sensing System
The Mercury Mariner is small for an SUV and fairly easy to maneuver in tight spaces, but it’s still rather tall. This safety feature helps drivers detect unseen objects behind them.

Hybrid System
For urban commuters, the combination of the Mariner Hybrid’s 34 miles per gallon EPA rating and large interior is hard to beat.

The 2011 Mercury Mariner comes in three trim levels: base, the up-level Premier, and the Hybrid. Standard mechanical equipment on the base model includes a 171-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, speed-sensitive Electric Power Assist Steering, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Amenities include fog lamps, keyless keypad entry, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, an auxiliary input jack, and satellite radio capability. Safety features consist of dual front airbags, Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags, tire-pressure monitor, Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC), and anti-lock brakes, all features either specifically required by government regulations or needed to pass government tests. The up-level Mariner Premier and Mariner Hybrid get a six-disc in-dash CD player, an Audiophile sound system, a DVD-based navigation system with 10-gigabytes of hard-drive storage, MyKey, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

With a limited number of Mercury Mariners still available you probably will have little choice, but options included a power moonroof, ambient lighting, heated front seats, a six-way power driver’s seat, heated side mirrors, remote start, roof rack with crossbars, a lockable wet storage compartment, integrated side steps and 17-inch wheels. Safety options consist of a rear backup camera, a Reverse Sensing System, and Active Park Assist.

The Mercury Mariner’s base powerplant is a 171-horsepower, four-cylinder engine. Variable valve timing helps it achieve impressive ratings of 22 miles per gallon in the government’s city driving test and 28 miles per gallon in the highway test. The available 3.0-liter V6 provides better acceleration and the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds, but the tradeoff is rather poor fuel economy. We’re impressed by the effective hybrid system, which uses a version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. The hybrid provides both plenty of pep and compact car fuel economy. Unlike its Ford Escape sibling, the Mercury Mariner doesn’t 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: 21/28 (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
155 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
94 horsepower @ 5000 rpm (electric motor)
136 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 34/31 (2WD), 30/27 (AWD)