2010 Mercury Mariner: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 Mercury Mariner is available with some new features. This compact SUV shares its basic design with the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. Mariner is a five-passenger, 4-door wagon that has a liftgate with opening glass. Base and uplevel Premier trim levels return. Each has a 171-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 that can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel is optional. Both engines team with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Also returning is the gas/electric Hybrid that teams a 153-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor. It requires no plug-in charging. Hybrids have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Maximum towing capacity is 1500 lb for 4-cylinder models, 3500 lb for the V6. All Mariners are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Also available are leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear obstacle detection, a navigation system, and rearview camera. Newly optional on Premier models is Ford's Active Park Assist, which uses ultrasonic sensors to help automatically guide the vehicle into a parallel-parking space.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are typically 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; some offer seating for seven.

Our Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota RAV4.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander.