2006 Mercury Mariner: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Mercury's compact SUV adds a gas/electric Hybrid model for 2006. Mariner is a luxury-trimmed version of the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. It comes with a conventional gas engine as the Convenience model with a 153-hp 4-cyl and as the upscale Luxury and Premier with a 200-hp V6. These come with a 4-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that lacks low-range gearing. Hybrids are AWD only and team a 4-cyl gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor. It requires no plug-in charging. It uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Mariner's hybrid system automatically runs on one or both power sources. All Mariners include ABS; Hybrids and AWD V6s have 4-wheel disc brakes. Curtain side airbags with rollover deployment are optional. Rear obstacle detection is available for Premier and Hybrid. Exclusive to the Hybrid is an optional navigation system with screen displays for power flow and fuel economy. Mariner's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Escapes and Tributes.

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

Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Rav4 are new or significantly redesigned.