Premier 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
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Overall Rating
(1 reviews)2011 car review
Tatiana Azcarate • May 14, 2024
4.0My car is the greatest because of the size on the inside. It has a sunroof. seats that fold down. It's gets really good mpg. It has a great off road ability too. It has a great range of motion. The seats are amazing too...Read More
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Overall Rating
The 2011 Mariner is the closest cousin to Ford’s Escape, which shall now gain the entire limelight after the discontinuation of Mariner.
It is just sad how one of the more good-looking SUVs will be gone in the dust by next year. Yes, it is the Mariner’s last year of run in the automotive industry before the Ford Motor Company plans to shut down its production. Thus, for its last and final iteration, the SUV constitutes no sudden changes, continuing with its long-lived tall and robust stance and an intuitive bit of features.
Since it is its last year, we recommend you to go with the best. Thus, the Premier trim is a good choice for those who believe in the Mariner to be a robust and versatile vehicle but at the same time, intend to make it more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Besides, optional features like the Appearance package will certainly make your Mariner stand out.
Premier 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
Premier 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
Tatiana Azcarate
2011 Mercury Mariner
••4.0Posted On: May 14, 2024
Sunroof access., Sits up high
Blind spots, Seat warmers
My car is the greatest because of the size on the inside. It has a sunroof. seats that fold down. It's gets really good mpg. It has a great off road ability too. It has a great range of motion. The seats are amazing too
The 2011 Mariner is the closest cousin to Ford’s Escape, which shall now gain the entire limelight after the discontinuation of Mariner.
It is just sad how one of the more good-looking SUVs will be gone in the dust by next year. Yes, it is the Mariner’s last year of run in the automotive industry before the Ford Motor Company plans to shut down its production. Thus, for its last and final iteration, the SUV constitutes no sudden changes, continuing with its long-lived tall and robust stance and an intuitive bit of features.
As far as the arrangement of variants goes, the Mariner stays one of the most flexible packages you can build upon. Yes, there are two engine options, and there is a decent amount of standard equipment on offer too. But, the real fun begins with the optional packages that let you customize your Mariner experience. Options for base models include a roof rack, a moonroof, Sync, leather upholstery (with heated front seats), a power driver seat, and ambient interior lighting.
|
Trims |
Base l4 |
Base l6 |
Premier l4 |
Premier V6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$23,565 |
$23,565 |
$25,635 |
$27385 |
|
Key Features |
16-inch alloy wheels |
Same as Base l4 |
rear parking sensors |
Same as Premier l4 |
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foglights |
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ambient interior lighting |
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privacy glass |
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heated front seats |
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full power accessories |
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leather upholstery |
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air-conditioning |
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power driver seat |
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steering-wheel-mounted audio controls |
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six-speaker stereo |
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four-speaker CD stereo |
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Sync |
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auxiliary audio jack |
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auto-dimming rearview mirror |
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satellite radio |
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Available on Premier models are a Chrome Appearance package (with the grille, 17-inch wheels, and roof rails covered in the shiny stuff), side step bars, 17-inch wheels, a back-up camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Auto Park system (new technology from Ford steers the car automatically while parallel parking), full microfiber-suede upholstery, a sunroof, an upgraded seven-speaker stereo system and a hard-drive-based navigation system (with music storage, HD radio, Sirius Travel Link and real-time traffic).
We Recommend:
Since it is its last year, we recommend you to go with the best. Thus, the Premier trim is a good choice for those who believe in the Mariner to be a robust and versatile vehicle but at the same time, intend to make it more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Besides, optional features like the Appearance package will certainly make your Mariner stand out.
As we have observed, there are two engine options available with the Mercury Mariner. The Base l4 is equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-4 that generates 171 hp and 171 pound-feet of torque. But, before you criticize its output, Mercury provides the following models with a beefier 3.0-liter V6 which cranks out 240 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while a manual remains out of reach. However, we believe that a 6-speed manual would’ve suited the Mariner better than the sludgy automatic. Anyways, the 2011 Mercury Mariner is available with either front- or all-wheel drive, with the latter being the recommended configuration to opt.
| Models |
Mercury Mariner |
Chevrolet Equinox |
Ford Escape SUV |
Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$23,565 |
$22,995 |
$21,240 |
$18,895 |
|
Engine |
2.5/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/16/Inline 4 |
2.4/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/16/Inline 4 |
2.5/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/16/Inline 4 |
2/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/16/Inline 4 |
|
Transmission |
6-speed Automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
5-speed Manual |
5-speed Manual |
|
Horsepower |
171 hp @ 6000 rpm |
182 hp @ 6700 rpm |
171 hp @ 6000 rpm |
165 hp @ 6200 rpm |
|
Torque |
171 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
172 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm |
171 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
146 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm |
|
0-60 Mph (sec) |
9 |
8.7 |
8.2 |
9.6 |
|
Quarter Mile (Sec) |
15.5 |
16.7 |
15.2 |
16.8 |
|
Top Speed |
NA |
123 |
131 |
119 |
The base inline-4 is also observed in the Ford Escape, but the performance the Escape delivers is way better, thanks to a more compact design and a 5-Speed manual transmission. In fact, Ford is faster than any of the SUVs in consideration here, even the much powerful Chevrolet Equinox. In the sprint to the quarter-mile, the Hyundai Tucson reserved the last position, while the Mariner was second behind the Escape.
For those who judge by the size, wait, for you will be disappointed. Despite its bulky appearance, the Mariner is very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimates are about average for this segment, with front-wheel-drive I4 models checking in at 20 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined (19/25/21 for AWD models). Meanwhile, the front-wheel-drive V6 models are rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway and 21 combined. This number further drops to 17 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG combined for the AWD V6 models.
|
Models |
Mercury Mariner |
Chevrolet Equinox |
Ford Escape SUV |
Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
City |
22 |
22 |
20 |
21 |
|
Highway |
28 |
32 |
28 |
27 |
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Combined |
24 |
27 |
24 |
24 |
|
Fuel Tank Capacity |
16.5 gal. |
18.8 gal. |
17.5 gal. |
14.5 gal. |
|
Fuel Type |
Regular unleaded |
Regular unleaded |
Regular unleaded |
Regular unleaded |
As we said, the fuel economy figures of Mariner are in conjunction with the rest of the SUVs, apart from one. The Chevrolet Equinox surprises with a brilliant combined figure of 27 MPG, as the SUV also delivers the highest power output in the segment. That speaks volumes about the amount of effort Chevy puts into refining its powertrains. As if that was not enough, the Equinox also packs the largest fuel tank, thus scoring unprecedentedly on practicality. On the other hand, the Marinier equips only a 16.5-gallon fuel tank.
There have been mixed opinions on the interior quality of the Mariner, and we feel the critics were right. TThe 2011 Mercury Mariner’s interior is a step above that of the Ford Escape. While it features some nice touches, more recent Ford Motor Company cabins boast better materials.
At the same time, the Mariner's cabin is a pleasantly functional space, thanks in part to a huge center console with removable bins. The Mariner shows its age, however, in terms of comfort and space. Upfront, the seating position feels upright and trucklike and there's no telescoping steering wheel, so you have the feeling that you're hovering above the controls.
|
Models |
Mercury Mariner |
Chevrolet Equinox |
Ford Escape SUV |
Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passenger Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.4/56.6/41.6 |
40.9/55.8/41.2 |
40.4/56.6/41.6 |
39.4/57.1/42.1 |
|
2nd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
|
Cargo Capacity (All Seats In Place) |
29.3 cu-ft |
31.4 cu-ft |
31.4 cu-ft |
25.7 cu-ft |
|
Maximum Cargo Capacity |
66.3 cu-ft |
63.7 cu-ft |
67.1 cu-ft |
55.8 cu-ft |
The front seats are shaped well enough, but the rear seat is as flat as a pirate's plank and offers neither a recline function nor fore/aft adjustability. What's more, folding the seatback down for maximum cargo capacity is a royal pain, requiring the headrests to be removed and the bottom cushions to be tumbled forward, a consequence of offering a flat load floor. Cargo volume stands at a useful 29 cubic feet with the rear seat in place and 66 cubic feet when that seat is folded down – not bad given the Mariner's relatively compact footprint.
There are a few intricacies that make the Mariner tech-loaded. One of them is the "top-of-dash" display, which is easy to read because it’s positioned at eye level. The display shows radio, climate control readout, and temperatures both inside and out. The radio and climate controls are also easy to use.
The volume and station-selector knobs are good sized, but more importantly, they are raised substantially from the stereo plate, rather than nearly flat to the surface as they are in many vehicles. The auxiliary audio jack is at the bottom of the center stack, opposite a 12-volt PowerPoint, and just above a lined bin where you can set an iPod with reasonable assurance that it will stay put for the entire trip home.
In a general, impressionistic way, the Mariner looks a lot like a shrunken version of the larger Mercury Mountaineer SUV. And while it may have a sedan-style unibody with fully independent suspension underneath, the Mariner has a more conventional, upright, truck-style look than a lot of its competitors.
The high beltline creates the impression that the windows are short or narrow, emphasizing the Mariner's truck-like look. The taillights have the same eyebrow shape as the headlights, which help connect the front and rear. The lenses are clear, with red and white clusters.
|
Models |
Mercury Mariner |
Chevrolet Equinox |
Ford Escape SUV |
Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight |
3341 lbs. |
3786 lbs. |
3231 lbs. |
3139 lbs. |
|
Ground Clearance |
8 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
|
Height |
68 in. |
66 in. |
68 in. |
65 in. |
|
Length |
175 in. |
188 in. |
175 in. |
173 in. |
|
Wheelbase |
103 in. |
113 in. |
103 in. |
104 in. |
|
Width |
71 in. |
73 in. |
71 in. |
67 in. |
|
Track Width |
60.2 in. |
61.8 in. |
60.2 in. |
62.4 in. |
It starts with the big, bold, waterfall grille, which immediately attracts the eye from any angle on the front of the vehicle. There's a lot of brightwork on the Mariner front and rear, but it's mostly a satiny, aluminum finish rather than conventional chrome.
With its upright styling, the 2011 Mercury Mariner looks like a smaller version of a two-generation-old Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer. The look is a bit softer than its Escape sibling, thanks to Mercury’s signature waterfall grille. More modern crossovers sit lower and look more car-like.
The Mariner earned a perfect five stars from the government in both front and side crash tests. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Mariner scored the highest rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side tests. Passive safety features include front- and side-impact airbags for front occupants, and curtain-type head protection airbags for all outboard seats. The side curtains can remain inflated for several seconds in the event of a rollover and are designed to slide between the side glass and occupants if the people are oddly seated or resting heads against a window.
Active safety systems include four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS), and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control. RSC adds a second gyroscopic roll-rate sensor to the typical stability control package, measuring the Mariner's roll angle and roll rate and applying countermeasures (such as braking one of the wheels or reducing power) to increase rollover resistance.
The 20101 Mercury Mariner offers front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, competitive four- or six-cylinder engines, and the Hybrid package, which works essentially as the conventional models do. Fuel mileage for all models, and towing capacity, rank with the best in class. For all-purpose, reasonably efficient daily transport on the road, the Mariner rates among the best small SUVs. Shoppers seeking genuine off-road potential should look elsewhere.
