?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ????????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ??????????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????????? ????????? ?? ?? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ????????????? ???? ?? ? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ????????????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??????????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ?????????? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????????? ????? ?? ?? ?????????? ?? ???? ????????? ?????????? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???????????? ???????? ???? ??????????? ??????????? ??? ???? ?????????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????????? ??? ????????? ???????? ? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ????????????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ? ? ??????? ??? ????????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??????????? ??? ???? ????????? ????????????? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ?????????? ???????? ????????????????????????? ??????????????????????inder engines. We just wish the 153-hp four was available in the Mariner with the five-speed manual transmission offered in its corporate twin, the Ford Escape. The 2.3 four is more satisfying with a manual, and more fun to drive.
The 200-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine delivers stronger acceleration, and about as much torque as any small SUV is likely to need. It has no obvious torque peak, or accompanying burst of thrilling acceleration, but its power band is broad. In day-to-day driving, it never lugs, strains or feels as if it's out of breath.
Neither the four-cylinder nor V6 powertrain is the smoothest in small SUVs, but neither is course enough to seriously detract from Mariner's appeal. Our gripe in the driveline is the four-speed automatic, and it's not because some competitors now offer five-speeds. While the Mariner automatic shifts smoothly, it sometimes shifts slowly, in that it seems to take its time deciding what gear it wants to be in. In particular, it's very reluctant to shift itself down into first gear, which would provide the most immediate acceleration. When rolling out of a parking lot onto a busy road, for example, the transmission will stay in second gear when you hit the gas, even when first is better for the traffic conditions.
The automatic is the biggest source of complaint in the Mariner's overall performance, and how much that matters will depend on how you drive. In general, the Mariner handles well, and improvements for 2008 give it a more refined feel. One of those is the electric power-assisted steering system (EPS), which operates with an electric motor rather than a belt turned by the engine. One of the advantages is increased efficiency, because a conventional, belt-driven steering pump takes a bit of the engine's power just to operate. That's power that's not being used to move the vehicle.
In Mariner's case, the electric power steering pump also improves steering feel. With EPS, there's a nice balance between steering assist at parking-lot speeds and decent feel on the highway. The steering tracks more steadily than before, with less adjustment or correction required over uneven surfaces. It's direct and accurate with no dead spot in the center, and there's enough feeling when you turn the wheel to impart a sense of control.
In all, refinements in the steering and suspension improve the 2008 Mariner's performance on the road, which wasn't that bad to begin with. Despite its truck-style ambience, the Mariner delivers a ride-handling balance that comes closer to a sedan than a truck. Its ride is comfortable, but never wobbly or floaty, over a variety of road surfaces, including expansion joints and shallow potholes. The tires deliver respectable grip in paved corners, so the Mariner stays planted where a lot of SUVs might slide. Transient response is surprisingly good, meaning Mariner maintains reasonable composure in a series of left-right-left lane-change maneuvers. This allows quicker driving that is also smooth, and it won't make passengers feel sea-sick.
Mercury pitches the return to drum-style rear brakes on gasoline-powered Mariners as an improvement, claiming the drums add durability and reduce the amount of brake dust generated. We call it a cost-saving move, plain and simple, and that's fine. We also believe consumers are smart enough to know whether they like the cost advantage of drum brakes, or not. No need to spin it.
As it is, the Mariner stops in plenty of time, with no brake fade in any typical on-road driving circumstances. The ABS system is well tuned, keeping the brakes right at the threshold between maximum stopping force and wheel lock, and allowing the driver to maintain steering control in a full-panic stop.
Hybrid or coventional, Mariner makes a good all-season vehicle in all climates. It does not make a good off-road vehicle, despite a bit more ground clearance than some competitors. The optional Intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) system is tuned for driving more on slippery pavement than dirt or gravel. It monitors vehicle speed, throttle input and steering angle and delivers engine power to the appropriate wheels before any particular wheel can loose traction. It can switch power front to rear or side to side, and theoretically can send 100 percent of the engine's power to either the front or rear wheels.
The system takes a lot of the stress out of driving on wet, slushy or snowy roads. It helps maximize forward progress on slippery surfaces, and its transfer of power to wheels with the best traction is rarely noticed by the driver, who can focus simply on using the gas smoothly and steering between the lines.
Of course, the Mariner is built on a front-wheel-drive platform developed primarily for sedans, and like most small SUVs, the 2WD models are front-wheel drive. With caution, it can handle reasonably level gravel or dirt trails. But if there is no graded path, forget about it, and if the way is much steeper than you'd attempt in a car, forget about that, too. Shoppers seeking a small SUV with real off-road potential should consider a competitor like the Jeep Liberty.
For everyday driving and travel on the road, the Mariner is one of the best.?MercuryMariner Engines_options??????? ????????? ????????? ? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???? ? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ?????????????????????? ????????????????AÀ2.3-liter dual overhead-cam 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4 with 70-kW, 330-volt electric motor?MercuryMariner Interior???? ? ? ??????? ??????? ???????? ? ?????????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????????? ???????????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????????? ?????????? ??? ??????? ???? ???????? ????????? ? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????????? ???????? ??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ???inder engines. We just wish the 153-hp four was available in the Mariner with the five-speed manual transmission offered in its corporate twin, the Ford Escape. The 2.3 four is more satisfying with a manual, and more fun to drive.
The 200-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine delivers stronger acceleration, and about as much torque as any small SUV is likely to need. It has no obvious torque peak, or accompanying burst of thrilling acceleration, but its power band is broad. In day-to-day driving, it never lugs, strains or feels as if it's out of breath.
Neither the four-cylinder nor V6 powertrain is the smoothest in small SUVs, but neither is course enough to seriously detract from Mariner's appeal. Our gripe in the driveline is the four-speed automatic, and it's not because some competitors now offer five-speeds. While the Mariner automatic shifts smoothly, it sometimes shifts slowly, in that it seems to take its time deciding what gear it wants to be in. In particular, it's very reluctant to shift itself down into first gear, which would provide the most immediate acceleration. When rolling out of a parking lot onto a busy road, for example, the transmission will stay in second gear when you hit the gas, even when first is better for the traffic conditions.
The automatic is the biggest source of complaint in the Mariner's overall performance, and how much that matters will depend on how you drive. In general, the Mariner handles well, and improvements for 2008 give it a more refined feel. One of those is the electric power-assisted steering system (EPS), which operates with an electric motor rather than a belt turned by the engine. One of the advantages is increased efficiency, because a conventional, belt-driven steering pump takes a bit of the engine's power just to operate. That's power that's not being used to move the vehicle.
In Mariner's case, the electric power steering pump also improves steering feel. With EPS, there's a nice balance between steering assist at parking-lot speeds and decent feel on the highway. The steering tracks more steadily than before, with less adjustment or correction required over uneven surfaces. It's direct and accurate with no dead spot in the center, and there's enough feeling when you turn the wheel to impart a sense of control.
In all, refinements in the steering and suspension improve the 2008 Mariner's performance on the road, which wasn't that bad to begin with. Despite its truck-style ambience, the Mariner delivers a ride-handling balance that comes closer to a sedan than a truck. Its ride is comfortable, but never wobbly or floaty, over a variety of road surfaces, including expansion joints and shallow potholes. The tires deliver respectable grip in paved corners, so the Mariner stays planted where a lot of SUVs might slide. Transient response is surprisingly good, meaning Mariner maintains reasonable composure in a series of left-right-left lane-change maneuvers. This allows quicker driving that is also smooth, and it won't make passengers feel sea-sick.
Mercury pitches the return to drum-style rear brakes on gasoline-powered Mariners as an improvement, claiming the drums add durability and reduce the amount of brake dust generated. We call it a cost-saving move, plain and simple, and that's fine. We also believe consumers are smart enough to know whether they like the cost advantage of drum brakes, or not. No need to spin it.
As it is, the Mariner stops in plenty of time, with no brake fade in any typical on-road driving circumstances. The ABS system is well tuned, keeping the brakes right at the threshold between maximum stopping force and wheel lock, and allowing the driver to maintain steering control in a full-panic stop.
Hybrid or coventional, Mariner makes a good all-season vehicle in all climates. It does not make a good off-road vehicle, despite a bit more ground clearance than some competitors. The optional Intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) system is tuned for driving more on slippery pavement than dirt or gravel. It monitors vehicle speed, throttle input and steering angle and delivers engine power to the appropriate wheels before any particular wheel can loose traction. It can switch power front to rear or side to side, and theoretically can send 100 percent of the engine's power to either the front or rear wheels.
The system takes a lot of the stress out of driving on wet, slushy or snowy roads. It helps maximize forward progress on slippery surfaces, and its transfer of power to wheels with the best traction is rarely noticed by the driver, who can focus simply on using the gas smoothly and steering between the lines.
Of course, the Mariner is built on a front-wheel-drive platform developed primarily for sedans, and like most small SUVs, the 2WD models are front-wheel drive. With caution, it can handle reasonably level gravel or dirt trails. But if there is no graded path, forget about it, and if the way is much steeper than you'd attempt in a car, forget about that, too. Shoppers seeking a small SUV with real off-road potential should consider a competitor like the Jeep Liberty.
For everyday driving and travel on the road, the Mariner is one of the best.
The 2008 Mercury Mariner is available with front-wheel drive or fulltime all-wheel drive, and either a four-cylinder, V6 or hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. All models come with an automatic transmission.
Mariner ($20,920) and Mariner 4WD ($21,320) come with a 153-horsepower 2.3-liter inline four that generates 152 lb-ft of torque, matched to a four-speed automatic. A 200-hp, dual-overhead cam 3.0-liter V6 ($1,000) is optional. These base models come well equipped, with air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and locks, an AM/FM stereo with CD and auxiliary jack, rear window defroster, cruise control, privacy glass and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The V6 comes standard in the Mariner Premium ($23,820) and Premium 4WD ($25,570). This is the upscale trim level, with leather seating, a six-CD changer, automatic headlights and other features included.
Mariner Hybrid ($27,020) and Hybrid 4WD ($28,870) are equipped similarly to the Premium models, with the hybrid powertrain replacing the V6.
Options include the Cargo Convenience Group ($195), which adds a retractable cargo area cover and a compartmentalized rear storage bin. The Audiophile Package ($695) includes a high-power stereo with seven speakers, subwoofer and the in-dash CD changer. The Leather Trim package adds leather seating and adjustable lumbar support to the base model ($995) or Hybrid ($695).
The Audiophile and Navigation Package ($2,295, base, $1,995 Premium and Hybrid) includes the stereo upgrade and a touch-screen navigation system. In the Hybrid, it also adds a meter that graphically and immediately demonstrates the benefits of hybrid drive, and helps the driver maximize fuel economy. These are only the start of the packages, and there are also a host of stand-alone options for all trim levels, including CD changer ($295), a power moonroof ($795), floor mats ($75), 17-inch wheels ($650), and a Class II towing package ($395).
Safety features have been upgraded substantially for 2008, making equipment that was previously optional standard across the board, and raising the benchmark for small sport-utilities. Passive safety features include front- and side-impact airbags for front occupants, and curtain-type head protection airbags for all outboard seats. The side curtains can remain inflated for several seconds in the event of a rollover, and are designed to slide between the side glass and occupants if the people are oddly seated or resting heads against a window.
Active safety systems include four-channel antilock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control and a Roll Stability Control system. RSC adds a second gyroscopic roll-rate sensor to the typical stability control package, measuring the Mariner's roll angle and roll rate and applying countermeasures (such as braking one of the wheels or reducing power) to increase rollover resistance.