Mariner Hybrid Makes Mom Smile

2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

model as tested $35,095

Test Drove 11/7/08–11/13/08
reviewed by Emily Hansen

In 2006, hybrids were beginning their rise in popularity. They were still somewhat rare, and I felt particularly lucky when I was asked to test-drive the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Fast-forward a couple of years and I’m a lot less naïve about hybrid cars. So it seems is Ford, Mercury’s parent company. The 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid has been improved in many obvious ways, and my second spin in this little sport ute was a great pleasure.

The two most noticeable changes are the Mariner Hybrid’s ability to run on electricity for a much longer time, and the addition of Sync, Ford’s voice-activated communication and entertainment system. I was surprised by how long the Mariner Hybrid could go with just the electric motor running. In nonscientific testing by me, the longest distance I could go on electricity was about half a mile on flat-ish terrain. It can go as fast as 40 mph on electric power only. The Mariner Hybrid’s general performance was nothing special, but it was perfectly adequate for my day-to-day mom-driving. The Sync system worked really well and allowed me to plug in MP3 players via USB or auxiliary jack. Of course, the USB option offers the most interactivity.

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