Mercury Mariner

{{Short description|Compact crossover SUV}} {{distinguish|Mercury Marine}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 2nd Mercury Mariner -- 03-30-2012.JPG | name = Mercury Mariner | manufacturer = [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] ([[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]) | production = 2004–2010 | model_years = 2005–2011 | class = [[Compact crossover SUV]] | body_style = 5-door [[SUV]]| | related = [[Mazda Tribute]] [[Ford Escape]] | layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front engine]], [[front-wheel drive]] / [[four-wheel drive]] | platform = [[Ford CD2 platform]] | wheelbase = {{convert|103.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | engine = {{ubl | '''[[Petrol engine|Gasoline]]:''' | 2.3 L [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 3.0 L [[V6 engine|V6]] | '''[[Hybrid electric vehicle|Gasoline Hybrid]]:''' | 2.5 L [[Atkinson cycle]] I4 }} | transmission = 4-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]] 6-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]] | successor = [[Lincoln MKC]] }} The '''Mercury Mariner''' is a [[compact crossover SUV]] that was introduced for the 2005 model year. It is a sibling of the [[Mazda Tribute]] and [[Ford Escape]], although it is more upmarket than the other two. The Mariner is Mercury's first car-based SUV, and is slotted below the [[Mercury Mountaineer|Mountaineer]] in the lineup. When Ford eliminated the Mercury brand, the Mariner ended production in October 2010.<ref>[http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/12/mercury-production-to-cease-in-late-september/#comments "Mercury production to cease in late September?"] from Autoblog (July 12, 2010)</ref>

The Mariner was officially offered in the United States, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. {{TOC left}} {{-}}

== First generation (2005–2007) == {{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}{{Infobox automobile |image = 2005-07 Mercury Mariner.jpg |name = First generation |production = August 2004 – December 2006 |model_years = 2005–2007 |length = {{convert|174.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |assembly = [[Claycomo, Missouri]] [[Avon Lake, Ohio]] |width = {{convert|70.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |height = {{convert|69.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} Hybrid: {{convert|70.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} }} Introduced during the 2005 refresh of the Ford Escape, the Mercury Mariner was positioned above both it and the Mazda Tribute in the compact sport utility vehicle group. It also includes stylistic differences, such as a two-tone interior, turn signal repeaters borrowed from the European-market [[Ford Escape|Ford Maverick]], monotone cladding, and the signature [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]] "waterfall" front grille. Unlike its counterparts, a manual transmission was not part of the powertrain lineup. The Mariner was the first Mercury with a [[Straight-4|four-cylinder]] since the [[Mercury Cougar#Seventh generation (1989–1997)|Mercury Cougar]] was dropped in 2002. For 2006, the lineup was expanded with the introduction of the Mariner Hybrid.

== Second generation (2008–2011) == {{Infobox automobile |image = 2008 Mercury Mariner Premier 4WD, front right, 08-27-2023.jpg |name = Second generation |production = November 2006 – October 2010 |model_years = 2008–2011 |length = 2008: {{convert|175.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} 2009: {{convert|174.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} 2010: {{convert|175.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |width = {{convert|71.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |assembly = [[Claycomo, Missouri]] ([[Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant|KCAP]]) |height = {{convert|68.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} Premier: {{convert|70.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} Hybrid: {{convert|67.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} }} For the second generation for the Mariner, the 2008 model year boasted a thorough redesign, despite remaining on the [[Ford CD2 platform]] used by the outgoing generation.

The exterior changes included new seats, headlights, taillights, a new liftgate, a higher beltline, new doors, and new wheels. The interior was also significantly updated with higher quality materials and included more features. The engines remained the same but the 3.0 L Duratec [[V6]] has been modified to reduce fuel consumption by 10%.

Mariner and its [[Ford Escape#2008|Ford Escape]] sibling were the first vehicles to feature Ford's pull-drift steering compensation, an enhancement made possible by applying [[software]] control to the [[Electric Power Steering]] (EPS) system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=30019 |title=Ford builds on electric power steering technology to enhance drive quality, enable more features |date=March 12, 2009 |work=Media.Ford.com |access-date=2009-11-09 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The first 2008 Mercury Mariner was unveiled at the South Florida International Auto Show on October 6, 2006, and was touted as a new direction for the Mercury brand.{{citation needed|date=November 2009}}

===2009 changes=== The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner were unveiled at the 2008 Washington Auto Show. Sporting a 2.5-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission that replaced the [[Ford CD4E transmission|four-speed automatic transmission]], the new powertrain improved the EPA fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon and increased power by 11% to {{convert|170|hp}}. The existing 3.0-liter Duratec V6 was bumped from {{convert|200|hp|abbr=on}} to {{convert|240|hp|abbr=on}}.

The new 4-cylinder engine was also used in Ford's Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. “For every eight Escape and Mariner vehicles we sell, one of them is a hybrid, and the appeal is growing,” says Sue Ciscke, Ford senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

===2010 changes=== For the 2010 model year, the Mariner added Ford's MyKey and trailer sway controls as standard on all trim levels. The Mariner also saw the addition of [[Flexible-fuel vehicle|Flex-Fuel]], the ability to run using [[E85|E85 fuel]] or regular unleaded gasoline with the V6 engine. Mercury removed the Euro-style turn signal repeaters for this model year.

===2011 changes=== For the 2011 model year, the Mariner featured [[HD Radio]] as a standard, but continued with the same features as the 2010 models. This version of the Mariner was its last, as Ford discontinued the Mercury brand due to declining sales. Ford ended production of the Mariner in October 2010.

The last Mariner was assembled on October 5, 2010.

==Variants==

=== Hybrid === [[File:Mariner Hybrid 08 2009 DCA 6980 with badging.jpg|thumb|Mercury Mariner Hybrid]] The Mariner Hybrid [[powertrain]] was identical to its [[sibling]], the ''[[Ford Escape Hybrid]].'' It was launched to the U.S. market in 2006 and was discontinued in 2010 with the rest of the brand. The Mariner hybrid sold a total of 12,300 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1076382_green-car-death-list-2012-models-to-which-we-bid-adieu |title=Green-Car Death List: 2012 Models To Which We Bid Adieu|author=John Voelcker|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=2012-05-22|access-date=2012-05-23}}</ref>

Like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Mariner Hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Mariner's hybrid system uses regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With {{Convert|155|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, the Mariner Hybrid has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional {{Convert|200|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}} [[V6]] Mariner. Again, just like the Escape Hybrid, it gets a respectable average of {{convert|34|mpgUS|L/100 km mpgimp}} and is sometimes said to be the most fuel efficient [[sport utility vehicle]] on the road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.automoblog.net/2008/11/11/2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-review/|title=2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Review|date=11 November 2008 |publisher=Automoblog.net|access-date=2009-01-05}}</ref>

=== Presidential Edition ===

On September 7, 2006, Ford delivered a special "Presidential Edition" Mercury Mariner Hybrid to former President [[Bill Clinton]]. Its custom features include:

* LED lighting * A 120{{nbsp}}V outlet * Rear bucket seats * Center console & rear seat fold-out writing desks * Personal DVD players for each seat * Refrigerator * Increased rear seat legroom

There have also been several undisclosed security modifications made to the vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/09/07/clinton_hybrid/index.html |work=CNN.com |title=Clinton to get custom hybrid SUV |date=September 7, 2006|access-date=2009-11-09}}</ref> {{clear}}

==Awards== *[[Consumers Digest]] best buy for 2005, 2006, 2007. *Mercury Mariner Hybrid was awarded 2006 Green Car of the Year.

==Sales== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Calendar Year ! American sales |- | 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/01/04/204860.html |title=Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999 |publisher=Theautochannel.com |date=2004-11-17 |access-date=2009-04-28}}</ref> | 7,171 |- | 2005 | 34,099 |- | 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.ford.com/article_download.cfm?article_id=27379 |title=Ford Motor Company 2007 sales |date=January 3, 2008}}</ref> | 33,941 |- | 2007 | 34,844 |- | 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.ford.com/images/10031/dec08sales.pdf |title=F-Series drives ford to higher market share for third consecutive month |date=January 5, 2009 |publisher=Ford Motor Company |access-date=2009-05-14 |archive-date=2009-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206054304/http://media.ford.com/images/10031/dec08sales.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | 32,306 |- | 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id%3D31604 |title=Ford caps 2009 with 33 percent sales increase, first full-year market share gain since 1995 | Ford Motor Company Newsroom |publisher=Media.ford.com |date=2010-01-05 |access-date=2010-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826033739/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=31604 |archive-date=2010-08-26 }}</ref> | 28,688 |- | 2010<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://media.ford.com/images/10031/Dec10sales.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-01-04 |archive-date=2011-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124044733/http://media.ford.com/images/10031/Dec10sales.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | 29,912 |}

==See also== [[List of hybrid vehicles]]

== Notes == {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.mercuryvehicles.com/mariner/ Mercury Vehicles.com]

[[Category:Mercury vehicles|Mariner]] [[Category:Compact crossover sport utility vehicles]] [[Category:Luxury crossover sport utility vehicles]] [[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 2004]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 2010]] [[Category:2010s cars]] [[Category:Hybrid electric vehicles]] [[Category:Partial zero-emissions vehicles]] [[Category:Hybrid sport utility vehicles]] [[Category:Ford CD2 platform]]