2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Hybrid Performance

Mariner Hybrid’s powertrain combines a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) completes the package. It’s a true hybrid system, meaning that the Mariner can run on full electric power at speeds up to about 25 mph. As your speed increases beyond that point, the gas engine chimes in, with a resulting total of 155 net horsepower.


The output from the combined driveline easily tackles the demands of everyday driving. The Mercury rolls briskly away from a stop and cruises comfortably at highway speeds. EPA estimates fuel economy at 34 city/30 highway for front-wheel-drive models, 29/27 for all-wheel drive. In a week’s worth of mixed, city/ highway driving, we averaged 28 mpg in a front-wheel-drive model. Near 30 mpg mileage is pretty impressive for a vehicle with this type of room and versatility.

Driving Impression
On the road, Mariner feels stable and solid and, here again, the dimensions pay dividends, making it easy to thread your way through tight traffic. A new speed-sensitive electronic power steering system gives the driver better feel for the road, while still making easy work of parallel parking. Backseat headrests take a bite out of the driver’s straight back view, but Mariner happily lacks a rear bumper mounted spare; an SUV staple and chronic thief of driver visibility. The available all-wheel-drive system automatically provides added grip on-demand, depending on road conditions.


The addition of hybrid technology to a well-sorted platform allows this Mercury to stand out, in an increasingly crowded field of crossovers and compact SUVs. The Mariner Hybrid puts versatility and economy together in a classy, compact package.

About the Author
A native of New York’s Hudson River Valley, Dan Lyons has been reviewing cars in print and online for the past 20 years.