Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The 2011 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is one of the few small SUVs that continues to be offered as a hybrid. It offers superb exterior styling and a high quality interior combined with low tailpipe emissions and high fuel economy. Its market is those who want the advantages a hybrid vehicle has to offer without losing the versatility and good sized cargo area provided by a comparable all-wheel drive vehicle.
There is one trim level for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid which is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard features include automatic climate control with two zones, powered accessories, a CD changer in the dashboard with MP3 audio output and the Sync capability for hands-free phone use. Available options are an upgraded audio system with seven speakers, leather seats that are heated, sunroof, a navigation system, a rearview camera, the MyKey system which enables parents to control the speed and audio volume of their teenage drivers and an automated self-parking feature that steers the car during parallel parking.
Specs:
Power for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is provided by a 2.5 liter gasoline engine combined with two electric motors that are able to produce 177 horsepower. The gasoline engine runs on the Atkinson cycle which is different from most conventional vehicles that run on the Otto cycle. This cycle is more efficient, using less air and fuel, but requires the uses of the electric motors to jumpstart the horsepower. One electric motor drives the wheels while the other starts the engine and manages the transmission. These two motors working together can power the vehicle in city driving.
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid uses a variable transmission system that allows power to be distributed between the gasoline engines and the electric motor as determined by driving conditions. This enables the gas engine to shut off when it has determined that that the electric engines can produce enough power to drive the vehicle. The battery pack in the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is recharged by the gasoline engine as well as by the regenerative braking system that can recapture some of the vehicle's kinetic energy. In vehicles that have all-wheel drive there is a third electric motor that provides power to the rear wheels for extra traction and acceleration.
Fuel economy in the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is rated at 33 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Performance of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is better than the standard Mariner whether on the road or off-road. The electric power steering and wire brake and accelerator controls make for a very responsive vehicle. It drives well in both the city and on the highway yet can be somewhat noisier on the highway. When it first turns on, the vehicle sounds like a standard car and then goes into electric mode. Stepping on the accelerator adds the power of the gasoline engine and the vehicle picks up speed on the street.
The ride quality of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is good and the hybrid powertrain actually provides the power of a V6 far and above the capabilities of the four cylinder engine that comes with the vehicle. If you are in the market for an efficient yet powerful hybrid SUV then this vehicle is one that is worth investigating.
There is one trim level for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid which is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard features include automatic climate control with two zones, powered accessories, a CD changer in the dashboard with MP3 audio output and the Sync capability for hands-free phone use. Available options are an upgraded audio system with seven speakers, leather seats that are heated, sunroof, a navigation system, a rearview camera, the MyKey system which enables parents to control the speed and audio volume of their teenage drivers and an automated self-parking feature that steers the car during parallel parking.
Specs:
Power for the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is provided by a 2.5 liter gasoline engine combined with two electric motors that are able to produce 177 horsepower. The gasoline engine runs on the Atkinson cycle which is different from most conventional vehicles that run on the Otto cycle. This cycle is more efficient, using less air and fuel, but requires the uses of the electric motors to jumpstart the horsepower. One electric motor drives the wheels while the other starts the engine and manages the transmission. These two motors working together can power the vehicle in city driving.
The Mercury Mariner Hybrid uses a variable transmission system that allows power to be distributed between the gasoline engines and the electric motor as determined by driving conditions. This enables the gas engine to shut off when it has determined that that the electric engines can produce enough power to drive the vehicle. The battery pack in the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is recharged by the gasoline engine as well as by the regenerative braking system that can recapture some of the vehicle's kinetic energy. In vehicles that have all-wheel drive there is a third electric motor that provides power to the rear wheels for extra traction and acceleration.
Fuel economy in the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is rated at 33 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Performance of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is better than the standard Mariner whether on the road or off-road. The electric power steering and wire brake and accelerator controls make for a very responsive vehicle. It drives well in both the city and on the highway yet can be somewhat noisier on the highway. When it first turns on, the vehicle sounds like a standard car and then goes into electric mode. Stepping on the accelerator adds the power of the gasoline engine and the vehicle picks up speed on the street.
The ride quality of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is good and the hybrid powertrain actually provides the power of a V6 far and above the capabilities of the four cylinder engine that comes with the vehicle. If you are in the market for an efficient yet powerful hybrid SUV then this vehicle is one that is worth investigating.
Mercury Mariner has fairly extensive updates such as a 171 horsepower four-cylinder engine with a full hybrid system combining an electric motor system that allows Mariner give an improved performance. Along with the great design and compfortable interior, this luxury SUV possesses safety features like airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that enhances the stability of the vehicle. An other safety feature such as Anti-locking System, has also been added to enhance the safety of the vehicle. It offers efficient fuel economy and large storage capacity as well. Overall this SUV is suitable for those who need to buy something new in the SUV line-up.