Wearing all-new sheetmetal, the Mariner now features a much more prominent waterfall grill that apes the single-frame grille treatment found on VW and Audi products. It also has more faceted head- and taillamps with “eyebrow” designs running around the lenses, as well as new wheels, more prominently flared fenders and a higher beltline.

The cladding of the former model has been removed, thankfully, for a cleaner look, though brightwork was added in equal measure. “The 2008 Mariner is the first product to truly deliver 100 percent of the design DNA for Mercury as a brand,” says Kim Irwin, Mercury brand manager.

Inside, changes include a new mix of materials with “satin pewter” trim, chrome, and tone-on-tone plastics. The instrument cluster and center stack designs are all new. Suede inserts are available for the upholstery, and a nav system will be available. The cargo area now features a separate “wet” area under the floor, while the center console storage area has three levels, the lower being large enough to hold something as large os a laptop.

Perhaps most welcome, however, is the new “ice blue” interior lighting and IP illumination, which replaces that nauseating Ford green. In all, the new interior décor and features put the Mariner in a whole separate league compared with the current model.

The carryover powertrains bring it right back. The standard engine remains a 2.3-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder that produces 153 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 152 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm. An optional 3.0-liter, 24-valve V-6 produces 200 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 193 lb-ft of torque at 4850 rpm. Both engines come with a standard four-speed-automatic transaxle.

The Mariner Hybrid comes with the 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine detuned to 133 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 124 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm paired with a 94-hp electric motor. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), licensed from Toyota, is the only available transmission on the hybrid model. The on-road-biased optional all-wheel drive system is also carryover.

Some mechanical changes were made, however: speed-sensitive electric power steering is new, as is low-dust brake lining and additional sound-deadening material. Unfortunately, save the hybrid, the Mariner remains one of the few vehicles on the market to retain a disc/drum setup (the hybrid gets four-wheel discs).

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The Mariner Hybrid is configured as a full hybrid and is able to run up to 25 mph powered only by electric power. During coasting, at a stop, or a low speeds, the gasoline engine automatically shuts down. When needed, the gasoline engine and electric traction motor work together to produce the equivalent of 155 horsepower.

The 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid adds two new exterior colors, an optional safety package featuring a Safety Canopy side air curtain system with rollover detection and seat-mounted side airbags, and an optional premium package highlighted by leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and side mirrors, Reverse Sensing System, the Hybrid Energy Audio and Navigation System, and the safety package.

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It comes with a conventional gas engine as the Convenience model with a 153-hp 4-cyl and as the upscale Luxury and Premier with a 200-hp V6. These come with a 4-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that lacks low-range gearing.

Hybrids are AWD only and team a 4-cyl gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor. It requires no plug-in charging. It uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Mariner’s hybrid system automatically runs on one or both power sources.

All types of Mariners include ABS; Hybrids and AWD V6s have 4-wheel disc brakes. Curtain side airbags with rollover deployment are optional. Rear obstacle detection is available for Premier and Hybrid.

Exclusive to the Hybrid is an optional navigation system with screen displays for power flow and fuel economy. Mariner’s performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Escapes and Tributes.[ConsumerGuide]

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As with the Fusion, Mercury says all-wheel drive will be available on Milan later in the model year. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Traction control is standard on V6 versions. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are now standard. A sunroof is optional. Premiers come with leather upholstery, offer a choice of metal or wood interior trim at no extra cost, and are available with heated front seats. Milan’s performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Fusions.

Milan should follow Fusion in offering a new-design 3.5-liter V6 for 2008. The engine is already standard for the related Lincoln MKZ sedan. No word yet on whether the 3.0-liter V6 will continue.

A hybrid power option is also slated for the ‘08 Milan and Fusion. It is expected to emulate the powertrain of the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUVs. All three sedans reportedly get a cosmetic freshening for 2009, assuming current plans hold.

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Why so much? Because they’re 2005 models! The third vehicle on the list, however, is the most appealing to us. Saab wants to get rid of the last remaining 9-2X models and is offering $5,000 off of the car’s base MSRP, which amounts to a substantial 21.75% discount on what is essentially a more luxurious Subaru WRX. The rest of the list is as follows.

• 2005 Kia Sorento – $5,000 (26.32%) exp. 1/2/07
• 2005 Kia Sedona – $5,000 (23.87%) exp. 1/2/07
• 2006 Saab 9-2X – $5,000 (21.75%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab – $4,500 (21.31%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab (excl. SRT10) – $4,500 (21.28%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2006 Ford Freestar – $5,000 (21.14%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2006 Lincoln LS – $8,000 (20.36%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis – $5,000 (20.18%) exp. 10/2/06
• 2005 Kia Spectra – $2,500 (19.46%) exp. 1/2/07
• 2006 Ford F-150 SuperCab – $4,500 (18.66%) exp. 10/2/06

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