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2008 Mercury Mariner VOGA Edition(shown)
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SEE ALSO:Mercury Specs, Pics, Prices - Mercury Buyers Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
WITH CAREY RUSS
2008 Mercury Mariner Premier 4WD
A writer might associate the word "ancient" with "mariner" indeference to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem "The Rime of the AncientMariner". That's a correct association in literature, but incorrect inconnection with cars or small SUVs, where "Mariner" brings to mind Mercury.The Mercury Mariner is not exactly ancient, having been introduced in 2005.And besides, it gets a suite of major updates for 2008.
Most apparently, both the exterior and interior have beenrestyled. "Freshened styling" is a typical mid-product life cycleoccurrence in the automotive industry, but here there is a bit more thanmere "freshening". More external sheetmetal has been changed than not, andinside, the 2008 Mariner is meant to foretell the look of future Mercurys.As ever, that interior has more space than might be imagined looking at thecompact exterior, and some trick new standard and optional storage schemes.
While the chassis platform and drivetrains are familiar, withchoices including 2.3-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V6 engines, and ahybrid drivetrain based on a modified, Atkinson-cycle version of the fourin both front- or automatic four-wheel drive form, electric power steeringreplaces the old hydraulic system and the suspension has been retuned. Anumber of individually small revisions have resulted in reduced road, wind,and engine noise. Safety equipment levels are high, with the fullcomplement of airbags and foam padding and structural reinforcement instrategic places in the interior in all models, and the parent Ford'sAdvanceTrac(r) with RSC(r) roll and stability control system standard onall non-hybrids.
In the gas-only Mariner lineup, the four-cylinder models occupythe entry-level slots, with the standard V6 above them. At the top of theline are the front- and four-wheel drive Premier models, with more upscaleinterior appointments and the "Reverse Sensing System" rear sonar systemamong the standard upgrades. I've been driving a nearly fully-equipped 4WDPremier for the past week. As ever, it's a convenient size with very goodspace utilization, for easy maneuverability and parkability in its naturalurban/suburban habitat. The new interior is its most impressive feature,and says good things about Mercury's future direction. It looks good, it'sfunctional and convenient, and it points to a good new direction forMercury.
APPEARANCE:
Details make all the difference. Although thenewest Mariner's basic shape is unchanged, and it will immediately berecognized as a Mercury Mariner, all of its body panels have been restyled.It's still a crossover SUV, but now the emphasis is on crossover, not SUV.Body cladding, faux skid plates, and other offroad-look styling devices areabsent. The front and rear fascias, headlights and taillights, liftgate,and hood are completely new, and there have been changes to the roof. Thesignature Mercury chrome waterfall grill is still present, but here it'sbolder, with larger vertical bars, more space between them, and it extendslower into the front fascia. It sits in a lower extension of theprominently raised hood, and is flanked by large rectangular foglamps. Thesides feature large wheelarches and a high beltline. A useful roof rack isan optional accessory. At the rear, the liftgate incorporates a window thatcan be opened separately, for quick access, and contemporary clear-coveredtaillights. Chrome trim on the rear bumper is a reprise of the frontgrille.
COMFORT:
Details make even more difference inside. This isnot your grandfather's Grand Marquis. The seats, door and other trimpanels, and console are new. My Premier test example had the black and graycolor scheme, with black for the instrument panel top, main door panels,and seat bolsters and gray for the instrument panel face and main seatingareas. Silvery plastic ("Satin Pewter") trim brightens the doors, centerstack, and console. The redesign adds visual space and gives a fresh,contemporary look that is not a copy of any other car. New featuresexpected to be found in future Mercurys are the information display at thetop of the center stack, near eye level for easy visibility, "ice blue"instead of green lighting for the instruments and switches, and theinstrument panel and stack designs. The front seats are above average incomfort, with leather bolsters and Alacantara suede-like main cushions andbacks. In Premier models, the driver's seat cushion is power-adjustable.Leg and especially headroom is excellent. The rear seat has a little lessheadroom - remove that top hat, maybe - but is in no way cramped. It hasthe usual split foldability for cargo times. The new console includes thebest feature of the Mariner's interior, a huge console box that can beconfigured in several ways. Two inserts organize things inside, or they canbe used elsewhere in the cabin, for storage or waste basket duty. There isenough space under the main insert for medium-sized items like a camera orsmall purse, and a small laptop can fit with the inserts removed. Foradditional hidden and extra storage, the "Rear Cargo Convenience Package"adds organized storage under the rear load floor. The load area carpet isreversible, with easy-to-clean rubber on the back side.My test Mariner had the optional DVD-based navigation system. It was easyto use, and incorporates an upgraded, Sirius satellite radio-ready audiosystem with AM,FM, MP3-capable 6 CD changer, and auxiliary jack inputs.
SAFETY:
Standard safety equipment for the 2008 MercuryMariner includes improved front airbags, knee bolsters, and seat-mountedside airbags for front passengers, "Safety Canopy" side curtain airbags toprotect all outboard passengers, and the AdvanceTrac with RSC stabilitycontrol system, which has extra hardware and software to detect possiblerollover situations and control the brakes and/or engine power outputaccordingly. It integrates the antilock braking and traction controlsystems with gyroscopic yaw-rate sensors.
RIDE AND HANDLING:
The `08 Mariner's MacPherson strut front,multilink suspension design is familiar, but changes to spring and shockrates and stabilizer bar size give a softer, more comfort-oriented ridethat is still relatively responsive. Electric power steering,speed-sensitive, replaces hydraulic, for lower maintenance costs - no powersteering fluid - and a better feel. Thicker side glass, new windshieldmolding, revisions to the roof, and redesigned mirrors help lower interiornoise levels, raising passenger comfort.
PERFORMANCE:
If the exterior and interior are new, theengine compartment is familiar. The Mariner's V6 is the venerable 3.0 litertwin cam, 24-valve alloy Duratec. With 200 horsepower (at 6000 rpm) and 193lb-ft of torque (at 4850), it has plenty of power for everyday use, andrevisions over the years have improved refinement levels. The four-speedautomatic transmission is well-suited to the Mariner's niche in life. Dittofor the "Intelligent 4WD" four-wheel drive system. It operates infront-wheel drive mode most of the time, and uses a computer-controlledcenter clutch to engage the rear wheels as needed. Input from sensors ateach wheel and the accelerator pedal allows the computer to determine thenecessary torque split, transparently to the driver.
With the V6 and the available towing package, the Mariner's towingcapability is 3500 pounds, usefully high for a crossover SUV.
CONCLUSIONS:
The 2008 Mariner points to fresh new directionsfor Mercury.
SPECIFICATIONS
2008 Mercury Mariner Premier 4WD
Base Price $ 25,570Price As Tested $ 29,445Engine Type dual overhead cam, 32-valve aluminum alloy V6Engine Size 3.0 liters / 181 cu. in.Horsepower 200 @ 6000 rpmTorque (lb-ft) 193 @ 4850 rpmTransmission 4-speed automaticWheelbase / Length 103.1 in. / 175.2 in.Curb Weight 3,600 lbs.Pounds Per Horsepower 18.0Fuel Capacity 16.5 gal.Fuel Requirement 87 octane regular unleaded gasolineTires P225/65 TR17 Michelin CrossTerrainBrakes, front/rear vented disc / drumSuspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilinkGround clearance 8.1 inchesDrivetrain transverse front engine, automatic part-time single-range four-wheel drivePERFORMANCEEPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 17 / 22 / 180 to 60 mph est. 9.0 secTowing capacity 3500 lbs. with towing packageOPTIONS AND CHARGESRoof rack with satin crossbars $ 175DVD Navigation and Radio System - includes: Audiophile 320-watt 7-speaker AM/FM/aux/6CD MP3-compatible/aux input audio system, DVD-based touch-screen navigation system $ 1,995Sirius Satellite Radio $ 195Rear Cargo Convenience Package - includes: cargo area cover, Interior Cargo Management System, lockable wet storage area $ 19517-inch alloy wheels $ 650Destination charge $ 665
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