What Ails Mercury's Mariner Hybrid?

When is the last time you saw an advertisement for a Mercury Mariner? Without a push, who would go to a Lincoln dealer to buy a Hybrid?

I just bought a 2007 a couple of weeks ago to keep my 2006 Prius company. Nice car and LOTS less than the Highlander (but still about the price of a Prius!). Lincoln/Mercury salesmen don't have a clue about Hybrids...I hope the mechanics do!

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Dec 12 2006, 12:04 AM) [snapback]360784[/snapback]</div>

Absolutely! When was the last time you talked to someone and they said..."I have to get to my Lincoln/Mercury dealer to check out that _______" You just don't hear it.

I think they are on the right track though. And with their new 2008 Mariner Hybrid, I expect them to sell many more than with the previous model. I also think their sales were slow because they only offered the Hybrid in 4WD before. I think the'll get more people looking at the new model because of the variations in trim levels and optional, not standard, 4WD. It was a mistake to think that just because it's an relatively upscale SUV or CUV that people would automatically want all wheel drive.

But, once again, it will be in the hands of the marketing team. We'll see.

 

I think the problem is that currently it is only available in AWD the FWD comes out later. The gas milage penality for 4 wheel drive is too high. The Escape is available in FWD.

 

One problem the Escape/Mariners has is that it's gas milage is low compared to a Prius and the usable space is smaller then for a Prius. Also the much larger Highlander Hybrid gets similar gas mileage.

Ford uses old battery technology but otherwise seem to have a good system. Let's hope they can get a more competitive hybrid out there soon. I read on edmunds.com that the fusion would be made available as a hybrid. That could make an attractive car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gripper @ May 9 2007, 11:33 PM) [snapback]438833[/snapback]</div>

It IS available now in FWD. Our local dealer has already sold at least one. If you do a search on the Mercury website there are plenty available at this point in time.

 

Like the Ford campaign from the early 80's: "Have you driven a Ford...LATELY...?"

i.e., "please give us a try again, and while your doing that, would you also pardon us for all of the crap we've been trying to sell you over the last decade or so...?"

 

When I was looking at SUVs (b4 the prius search) I was looking at all hybrids, the Escape & Mariner were on the list. But I ruled out the SUVs because they just dont offer the MPG/price as the prius does. But i actually liked the Mariner a lot more than the escape

 

I like the Mariner more than the Escape as well ... the 08s look pretty nice imho ... much more aggressive. Fuel economy is pretty decent for an SUV, but like said it's not the biggest SUV out there. The back seat isn't so comfy and the dash still looks pretty cheap imho. It does have a switch that is sort of like an EV button. Overall if I was looking for something that size and with 4wd, I would highly consider the Mariner. Not sure I completely would feel comfy with reliability though.

 

I am new to this site. Also, I own a 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Before that I owned a Honda Civic Hybrid.

I really like my MMH, and I do agree with the majority of the posts here. Mercury has done a really bad job of advertising this car.

It worked in my favor because I got the car at a steal, and I plan to drive it into the ground.

Anyway, I average about 28 to 29 mpg. I use AC all summer long because of allergies and asthma. AC really seems to help. I can average 30 to 31 if I don't use AC.

It has been a great SUV. The 4wd is awesome. I need 4wd because I absolutely have to get to work no matter what. We can get a lot of snow, and sometimes I have to leave for work before the plows clean the street. I can go through snow so high that it created a "wake" of snow behind me.

Anyway, if anyone has question about the MMH, feel free to ask.

Thanks for reading.

Rick

 

President Bill Clinton owns (was given) a Mercury Mariner

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/09/ford_presents_p.html

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rxhybrid @ Sep 9 2007, 08:47 AM) [snapback]509477[/snapback]</div>

Any chance you'll tell us what "a steal" was? Was the car sitting on the lot, or did you order it?

Any repairs/warranty stuff yet?

Thanks!
Tim

 

Because it's a Mercury (not exactly a dealer around every corner and certainly not a "hot" marque). Worse, I have never, ever seen or heard the MMH advertised. Let me put it this way. I am a "car" nut. I love to read about new vehicles and to check them out in person, just to say I did. Yet, until I joined this forum recently and spotted the Escape/Mariner Hybrid section, I didn't know the MMH existed. Are you reading this Ford Motor Company?!

 

Even on the Mercury web site where you can compare a Mercury Mariner with other vehicles there is no option to compare the Hybrid version. I don't think they want to make any hybrids http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/shoptools/compare2.asp?vehicle=mariner&modelYear=2008&modelID=5231

 

I put Mercury on my list--the "S" list. Why would I ever want to buy a rebadged Ford?

 

Re: What Ails Mercury's Mariner Hybrid?

I actually saw one of Mariner hybrids recently. As luck would have it, I parked right next to it before realizing that it was a Mariner hybrid. I wish I could have talked to the owner but they weren't there at the time, alas.

 

Re: What Ails Mercury's Mariner Hybrid?

Our neighbor 5 doors down has one & he loves it. He's perplexed why they push'em so little. Speculation is, that Ford is waiting until they get their own hybrid up and running ... one where they don't have to possibly pay any royalties for cross-licensing with Toyota. I don't buy into that, though. My question is, 4x4 ?? If the Mariner is like the hyhi or our 400h SUV, it's not really even an AWD, as the ICE isn't hooked to the rear axle, right?

 

Re: What Ails Mercury's Mariner Hybrid?

The Escape/Mariner hybrid use the same AWD drive train as the non hybrid. At least, the previous gen did. A comparison review posted here awhile back recommended the Escape over the Highlander for those who actually wanted a hybrid 4x4 for taking off road.