Jerry Robbin

The Mercury Mariner is a worthy opponent to its competition, which are the Honda CR-V, Acura RDX and Hyundai Tucson.

The Mariner boasts a new four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Mariner is also available with the optional 3.0-liter V-6, but with the price of gasoline fluctuating the new engine makes the four-cylinder a smart choice. The 2.5-liter engine replaces last year’s 2.3-liter four, and it delivers 171 horsepower, which is 18 more, and 171 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel economy is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway, whereas the V-6 is rated at 18 and 26 in city driving,

The Mariner is also available as a hybrid, but it does have a considerably higher MSRP.

Driving Experience

The Mariner is great at cornering any turn and easy to maneuver on the highway. The Mariner does have a soft ride but the steering is responsive to any hard turn you will make. Braking is good with its standard Antilock brakes and stability control. I found the four-cylinder a little winy, but it did have plenty of torque for fast acceleration. The exhaust has a nice mellow sound when accelerating.

This engine’s variable intake valve timing helps you to increase the fuel efficiency.

I found the six-speed automatic transmission to be a little winy, but it also contributes to better gas mileage.

Some of the improvements for 2009 are a noise-reducing windshield, and a new design with better aerodynamics. The new 4-cylinder engine reduced road noise and has a quieter highway ride.

The suspension gives you a comfortable ride and the handling is acceptable for the body sway for a small SUV.

Safety

Safety features include standard side-curtain airbags for both first and second-row seats, side-impact airbags, a vehicle stability system with roll control, antilock brakes, Tire pressure monitoring system and side intrusion door beams.

Inside

My test drive was a Mariner Premier AWD, which comes with the Ford’s Sync system and Sirius Satellite Radio. My Mariner had the optional navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen can also play DVDs, and a 330-watt stereo with a six-disc CD changer. The navigation system is simple and easy to use. The system lacks a backup camera like that in some competitors! There is even an auxiliary jack that supports MP3 players that comes standard on all Mariners.

Some of the highlights for the 2009 Mariner are new comfort-designed seats, quieter interior, Sync voice-activated communication and entertainment system and standard cruise control.

The 2009 Mariner’s interior received a major makeover, which included a new dash, with gauges that display radio functions, temperature and climate-control readouts.

Folding the second-row seat is not easy process as the seat cushion has to be pulled out and folded forward, and the headrests have to be removed from the seatbac
The center console has two removable bins. Ford says a laptop can fit inside the console.

Outside

The Mariner is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The Mariner has a very sporty stance and has its signature large waterfall satin grille. The Mariner has a new suspension that delivers a better balance of ride and handling. Exterior

The 2009 Mariner added a redesigned front bumper spoiler and low-rolling-resistance tires.

Under the Hood there is a new electric power-assist steering which increases gas mileage.

Summary

The should test drive the new 2009 Mariner with its new improved four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic before you purchase your next new small SUV.

Specifications

I4 Mariner V6 Mariner Mariner Premier I4 Mariner Premier V6 Mariner Hybrid

MSRP $22,310 $23,320 $24,425 $25,425 $29,750

FWD Miles per Gallon (MPG) Automatic Transmission 20 City/28 HWY 18 City/26 HWY 20 City/28 HWY 18 City/26 HWY 34 City/31 HWY

4WD Miles per Gallon (MPG) Automatic Transmission 19 City/25 HWY 17 City/24HWY 19 City/25 HWY 17 City/24HWY 29 City/27 HWY

Drive train

Engine Type 2.5L I4 Duratec 3.0L V6 Duratec 2.5L I4 Duratec 3.0L V6 Duratec 2.5L 4-Valve Atkinson-Cycle I4

Horsepower @ rpm 171 @ 6000 240 @ 6550 171 @ 6000 240 @ 6550 153 @ 6,000

Electric Motor Horsepower @ rpm 94 @ 5,000

Torque: lb.-ft. @ rpm 171 @ 4500 223 @ 4300 171 @ 4500 223 @ 4300 136 @ 4,500

Compression ratio 9.7:1 10.3:1 9.7:1 10.3:1 12.3:1

Valve lifters Roller-Finger Follower

Weights & Capacities

Fuel tank capacity (gals.) 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 15

Cargo volume – 1st row/2nd row (cu.ft.) 66.3/29.2

Passenger volume (cu.ft.) 99.5

Curb Weight (lbs.) 3384/3533

Interior Dimensions (inches)

Headroom front 40.4

Headroom rear 39.2

Leg room front 39.2

Leg room rear 35.6

Shoulder room front 56.6

Shoulder room rear 55.9

Hip room front 53.4

Hip room rear 49.1

Exterior Dimensions (inches)

Length 175.2

Width (excluding mirrors) 71.1

Width (including mirrors) 81.3

Width (mirrors folded) 77.9

Height 67.9

Wheelbase (inches) 103.1

Front Track width 60.7

Rear Track width 60.2