Mercury Mariner

Which Mercury Mariner Version Should You Buy?

The Mercury Mariner version to choose depends on whether you prioritize lower fuel consumption, more power, or earlier-generation performance figures that were actually measured. The catalogue covers two generations of SUV 5-doors: the first generation from 2004 to 2007 with six versions, and the second generation from 2007 to 2010 with twelve.

The Mercury Mariner version to choose depends on whether you prioritize lower fuel consumption, more power, or earlier-generation performance figures that were actually measured. The catalogue covers two generations of SUV 5-doors: the first generation from 2004 to 2007 with six versions, and the second generation from 2007 to 2010 with twelve. Among the supplied specifications, the second-generation 2.5 CVT Hybrid FWD has the lowest combined consumption at 7.3 L/100 km, while the second-generation 3.0 AT Gasoline versions with 243 hp are the most powerful. Buyers who want AWD can choose Gasoline or Hybrid versions, but consumption and weight generally rise compared with the corresponding FWD specification.

Mercury Mariner generations: what changed?

The first-generation Mercury Mariner, produced from 2004 to 2007, is an SUV 5-doors offered in six listed versions. Its engine range consists of 2.3 AT and 3.0 AT Gasoline specifications, all using an Automatic gearbox with 4 gears. Power ranges from 135 hp to 200 hp, with FWD and AWD represented. The fuel tank holds 62 L. Where ground clearance is recorded, it is 210 mm.

The second-generation Mercury Mariner, produced from 2007 to 2010, is also an SUV 5-doors, but its twelve listed versions provide a broader choice. Gasoline specifications include 2.3 AT, 2.5 AT, and 3.0 AT, while Hybrid specifications include 2.3 CVT and 2.5 CVT. Depending on the version, the transmission is Automatic with 4 or 6 gears, or Variable with the number of gears not measured. Both FWD and AWD are available. Ground clearance is 213 mm and tank capacity is 57 L throughout the listed range.

The clearest numerical differences between generations are the expanded second-generation engine selection and the arrival of Hybrid versions. Maximum listed output rises from 200 hp in the first generation to 243 hp in the second, an increase of 43 hp. The second generation also introduces 6-gear Automatic versions, while its tank is 5 L smaller and its recorded ground clearance is 3 mm greater than the first-generation figure where available.

Mercury Mariner engine options and specs

Because identical names cover different outputs or drivetrains, each repeated Mercury Mariner version is distinguished below by power and drive.

Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the first-generation 135 hp 2.3 AT produces about 59.7 hp per litre, while the 155 hp 2.3 AT produces about 68.6 hp per litre. In the second generation, the 173 hp 2.5 AT reaches about 69.5 hp per litre, the 180 hp 2.5 CVT about 72.3 hp per litre, and the 243 hp 3.0 AT about 81.9 hp per litre. The 243 hp 3.0 AT therefore has the highest power per litre among the listed versions.

Mercury Mariner performance and fuel economy

Measured acceleration and maximum-speed figures are available only for part of the first-generation range. The 2.3 AT with 135 hp and AWD accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 13.4 seconds and reaches 175 km/h. For the 135 hp FWD version, both acceleration and maximum speed are not measured.

The first-generation 2.3 AT with 155 hp takes 11.3 seconds from 0–100 km/h with FWD and 12.3 seconds with AWD, so the FWD version is 1.0 second quicker in the supplied figures. Both have a measured maximum speed of 167 km/h. The 3.0 AT with 200 hp and FWD records 11.6 seconds and 167 km/h; acceleration for the 200 hp AWD version is not measured, while its maximum speed is 175 km/h. Fuel consumption for every first-generation version is not measured.

For all second-generation versions, 0–100 km/h acceleration and maximum speed are not measured. Their fuel-consumption figures nevertheless make direct drivetrain comparisons possible:

At equal power, the second-generation 2.3 CVT Hybrid FWD uses 3.4 L/100 km less combined fuel than the 155 hp 2.3 AT Gasoline FWD. With AWD, the Hybrid advantage is 2.8 L/100 km. The 180 hp 2.5 CVT Hybrid FWD also provides 7 hp more than the 173 hp 2.5 AT Gasoline FWD while reducing combined consumption by 2.9 L/100 km.

Among the Gasoline choices, the 243 hp 3.0 AT FWD is particularly notable: it has 40 hp and 40 Nm more than the 203 hp 3.0 AT FWD, yet its combined consumption is 0.6 L/100 km lower. The 243 hp AWD specification likewise adds 40 hp and 40 Nm while using 0.6 L/100 km less combined fuel than the 203 hp AWD version.

Mercury Mariner weight, ground clearance, tank and wheel sizes

First-generation kerb weights range from 1515 kg for the 155 hp 2.3 AT FWD to 1745 kg for the 135 hp 2.3 AT FWD. Gross weights range from 1996 to 2126 kg. Ground clearance is 210 mm where recorded and not measured for the other versions. Tank capacity is 62 L for every listed first-generation specification. Wheel sizes are not measured for every version.

Second-generation Gasoline kerb weights run from 1515 kg to 1610 kg. The 155 hp 2.3 AT FWD and 173 hp 2.5 AT FWD each weigh 1515 kg, while the 203 hp and 243 hp 3.0 AT AWD versions each weigh 1610 kg. Second-generation Hybrid kerb weight ranges from 1660 kg for the 155 hp 2.3 CVT FWD to 1737 kg for the 180 hp 2.5 CVT AWD. Gross weight is not measured for either 2.5 CVT Hybrid, while the other second-generation figures range from 1996 to 2185 kg. Every listed second-generation version has 213 mm of ground clearance and a 57 L tank. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Weight per horsepower sharpens the comparison. The second-generation 2.3 AT FWD carries about 9.8 kg per hp, the 2.5 AT FWD about 8.8 kg per hp, and the 243 hp 3.0 AT FWD about 6.3 kg per hp. The 2.5 CVT Hybrid FWD works out at about 9.2 kg per hp. On these figures, the 243 hp 3.0 AT FWD offers the strongest power-to-weight relationship.

Which Mercury Mariner version should you choose?

Choose the second-generation 2.5 CVT Hybrid FWD if fuel consumption is the main criterion. Its 7.3 L/100 km combined figure ties the 2.3 CVT Hybrid FWD for the lowest result, but it supplies 180 hp instead of 155 hp—a gain of 25 hp—with the same 6.9 L/100 km city consumption and 0.2 L/100 km lower highway consumption.

Choose the second-generation 2.5 CVT Hybrid AWD if you want AWD with the strongest Hybrid output. It produces 180 hp and records 8.4 L/100 km combined. Compared with the 155 hp 2.3 CVT Hybrid AWD, it adds 25 hp while matching its city, highway, and combined consumption figures exactly.

Choose the second-generation 3.0 AT with 243 hp if power matters most. The FWD version combines 243 hp and 302 Nm with 11.2 L/100 km combined consumption; the AWD version has the same output and torque with 11.8 L/100 km combined. AWD adds 75 kg and 0.6 L/100 km to the FWD specification, so the numerical trade is extra driven-wheel capability against greater weight and consumption.

Choose the second-generation 2.5 AT with 173 hp for a middle ground among the Gasoline versions. The FWD specification produces 18 hp more than the 2.3 AT FWD, uses a 6-gear rather than 4-gear Automatic, and lowers combined consumption from 10.7 to 10.2 L/100 km. Its kerb weight remains 1515 kg. With AWD, the 2.5 AT matches the 2.3 AT’s 11.2 L/100 km combined figure while adding 18 hp and 26 Nm.

The first generation is the better documented choice only if measured acceleration or maximum speed is essential to your comparison. Its 155 hp 2.3 AT FWD has the quickest recorded 0–100 km/h time at 11.3 seconds, while the 135 hp 2.3 AT AWD and 200 hp 3.0 AT AWD share the highest measured maximum speed at 175 km/h. Economy is not measured for any first-generation version, so the supplied data cannot support a fuel-consumption comparison with the second generation.