Mercury Mariner

Name: 2008 Mercury Mariner
Brand: Mercury

EPA MPG: NA

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

Mercury's small SUV, a twin of the Ford Escape, has standard curtain air bags and stability control, except on the hybrid. The interior is roomy and the rear bench seat is spacious. The 3.0-liter V6 provided adequate acceleration in our test of the Escape and returned 19 mpg. Noise and ride comfort are good. However the Escape's lack of tire grip negatively affects handling and braking. Interior quality still isn't impressive. We got 26 mpg overall when we tested the 2005 hybrid.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2008 SUVs Reliability

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100

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Mercury Mariner

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Honda CR-V

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

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2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2008 Compact SUVs Ratings

2008 Mercury Mariner

$2,975 - $3,550

EPA MPG NA

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EPA MPG 19 mpg

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2.3-liter 4 (153 hp)
2.3-liter 4 hybrid (155 hp)
3-liter V6 (200 hp)

CVT
4-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2008-2011

2008 Redesign Year

The freshened 2008 model had standard side curtain airbags and, on non-hybrid models, electronic stability control. However, even with the freshening, the basic platform dated back to 2001. This shows up in a decided lack of agility, noisiness, and an unsettled ride. Interior fit and finish are improved over the previous model, but remain lackluster. On the plus side, the Mariner offers reasonably good interior room, easy access, and good outward visibility. A rear-view camera is optional. The 2011 model year was the last for the Mercury brand.

2005-2007

2005 Redesign Year

The Mariner has a roomy interior and great visibility out of the large windows. Handling is relatively nimble. The 3.0-liter, 200-hp V6 serves up adequate acceleration, but fuel economy is disappointing at just 18 mpg overall. A tip up in the government rollover test is a concern, and the Mariner scored Poor in the IIHS side-crash test when tested without side and curtain airbags. A hybrid version of the Mariner attained 26 mpg in our tests.