2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Road Test Ratings

With improved styling, interior materials and design the 2008 Mariner is an improvement over the 2007 model. It's less-than average dynamics are balanced by good fuel economy and the fact that it's a hybrid won't matter if you aren't a car enthusiast.

Hybrids aren't known for performance and the Mariner is no exception. It's softly sprung and doesn't accelerate quickly. Its brakes also have strange feel (which we did adjust to) and won't break any records stopping the 3,714-lb SUV.

Overall a very comfortable SUV that's only limited by the aging platform it's built upon. Ride comfort is good with enough compliance on long and short trips alike. It's easy to move in and out of the Mariner's front doors although the rears have a little intrusion by the rear wheel well.

The Mariner's overall functionality is decent -- especially for a hybrid which sometimes suffer from packaging challenges. Its heating and ventilation controls are easy to use -- at least on navigation-equipped models which use three knobs to control temperature, fan speed and mode. Its instrument panel has two large, easy-to-read gauges and interior storage is average for the class.

We like the Mariner's new styling -- both inside and out. Quality control seems only OK. We didn't notice any squeaks or rattles, but our test vehicle did have a misaligned hood.