2005 Mercury Mariner: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Mercury gets its first compact SUV for 2005, a car-type 5-passenger wagon based on the Ford Escape. The Mazda Tribute also shares this basic design. Mariner has its own styling details and interior decor, but uses the same 153-hp 4-cyl and 200-hp V6 engines. Only Escape offers a gas/electric hybrid model for '05, but Mariner adds one for '06. For it comes in 4-cyl Convenience and V6 Luxury and Premier models. All offer 4-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that lacks low-range gearing. ABS is standard. AWD Luxury and Premier versions have 4-wheel disc brakes vs. a disc/drum setup. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are optional. They're designed to deploy in side impacts as well as when sensors detect an impending rollover. Also optional is rear obstacle detection. Mariner's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Escapes and Tributes. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles.

Our Best Buys include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, and the Mercury Mariner. Our Recommended picks are the Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, and Subaru Forester.