By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National August 7, 2009Vehicle Overview
The Mercury Mariner, which shares its platform with the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, received a few new high-tech options for 2010. The Mariner Hybrid is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Mariner, which seats five people, competes with other small SUVs, including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox.
New for 2010
For 2010, the Mariner gets some new high-tech options. New blindspot mirrors and Ford's MyKey system are also new, and they're standard.
Exterior
Basically unchanged since an update for the 2008 model year, the Mariner shares its profile with its corporate twins, the Escape and Tribute. Though technically a car-based crossover, it's among the boxier-looking ones in its segment.
- Standard 16-inch alloy wheels
- Optional 17-inch alloy wheels
- Signature waterfall grille
- Rear window opens separately from hatch
- Redesigned mirrors have spotter frames to show blind spots
Interior
Ford's optional voice-activated Sync multimedia system now includes traffic and weather information.
- Optional voice-activated navigation system
- Optional backup camera
- Standard cruise control
Under the Hood
A 171-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard; the optional 3.0-liter V-6 makes 240 hp. Both use a standard six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.
The self-parking system handles all the steering required for parallel parking. The driver must still shift the transmission into gear as well as operate the gas and brake pedals. The driver can also override the system and steer the car, if needed.
- New Pull-Drift Compensation attempts to counter crosswinds or road-surface changes that may cause highway drifting
- Optional self-parking feature
Safety
Side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes. An electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control is also standard. Roll Stability Control is designed to help prevent rollover accidents. Ford's new MyKey system allows parents to limit top speed to 80 mph and limit maximum stereo volume for their teenage drivers.
- Electronic stability system, six airbags
- Standard antilock brakes
- Standard MyKey system
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Kelsey Mays | Cars.com National | December 30, 2009 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | August 7, 2009 |
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