Mercury Mariner Hybrid Overview

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid was Ford Motor Company's offering in 2006. This all-purpose vehicle has become the trendy hybrid, and it is great on gas thanks to the combination engine, a plus in this time of high-gas prices. It's a unique SUV that has quickly become the choice of people who enjoy having the room and versatility that a sports utility vehicle offers and the low gas cost of a hybrid.

Ford has admitted that the Mariner hybrid used the same basic features and design idea pattern that was used on one of their other hybrids, the Ford Escape. The base design for both vehicles is heavy on the unique body style and seating arrangement, cabin devices, and specialized power train for a hybrid vehicle. The Mariner, however, is looked upon as having 'full' hybrid electric technology. This means it can seamlessly switch from using gas to using electric to using bother as needed without any change in the way it drives.

Many people will be interested in knowing that the Mariner has excellent towing capacity, a question that is asked about most hybrid trucks and SUVs. Its performance and handling capabilities are way above the norm and it is considered one of the most reliable vehicles manufactured today. And that's without even discussing the amount of cargo space it has, which is a lot.

Other hybrids have a similar body style as the Mariner namely the Outlander by Mitsubishi, Honda's CR-V, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The style has been refined specifically for hybrid SUV's in order to ensure they handle well. Ford, however, has added a few changes to make the Mariner stand out, like the rugged appearance and front end grille. It is, after all, a Ford.

The entire exterior of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is modern, sophisticated, and very urban. It easily stands out in a crowd of other compact SUVs, classy, elegant, but not showy. I has a rear-quarter window of the driver's side window has a built-in air ventilation unit, which helps manage the temperature of the battery pack.

Considered one of the most environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient SUVs available on the consumer market today, the Mariner shares the same technology as the 2005 Truck of the Year award winner Escape. This was based on a poll of fifty automotive reviewers and journalists. The hybrid power train system was based on the technology behind Toyota's Synergy system, and overall the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is one of the best hybrid SUVs around.