2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

With gasoline prices mimicking the motto of Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies—“To infinity and beyond!”—it’s good to know there’s a very economical sport-utility vehicle on the market. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also fun to drive, roomy and practical.

Hybrid Practicality

The front-wheel-drive drive version of the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid gets an impressive 34 miles per gallon in city driving and a very respectable 31 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Unlike conventional vehicles, a hybrid’s main fuel savings occurs by avoiding idling. A non-hybrid gets zero miles per gallon while stuck in traffic, but a hybrid’s engine turns off in such situations and its battery pack provides power for some accessories. Some countries have adopted rules that drivers turn off their engines when stopped in traffic, thus resembling the reduced pollution of a hybrid. During steady highway driving, the hybrid’s gasoline engine continues to propel the vehicle, providing much less benefit in such situations.


Changes for 2009 Mariner Hybrids include a restyled grille, hood, liftgate, head- and taillights. Mechanically, the ’09 gets an Atkinson-cycle version of the new inline four-cylinder 2.5-liter gasoline engine in conventional Mariners. An Atkinson-cycle engine is more fuel efficient than a conventional engine because it converts more combustion heat into mechanical energy.

Power and Performance

The Mariner Hybrid earns California’s Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle rating, the cleanest emissions rating achievable by a fossil-fuel vehicle. Driven sedately, the gasoline engine doesn’t engage until nearly 40 mph. When needed to merge on fast moving freeways, acceleration virtually matches the V6-powered version of the Mariner.


The transmission in the Mariner Hybrid is an electronically controlled continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) unit. An eCVT better keeps the powerplants in their most efficient operating range. The Hybrid also uses regenerative braking to regain some energy that would otherwise just be turned to heat by the brakes. The Mariner Hybrid’s 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride batteries are warranted for eight years or 100,000-miles in most states and 10 years or 150,000 miles in states that follow California standards (see dealer for limited warranty details).