Mariner is 'adequate,' and just that

The restyled Mercury Mariner is like a typical suburban subdivision home: It looks OK on the outside, and the price tag for a well-equipped model makes its spotty interior go down a bit easier. It doesn't stand out among its peers, but neither does it have any deal-breaking drawbacks. If you're looking for an inexpensive sport utility vehicle, the Mariner gets the job done, but that's it.

Base models have a four-cylinder or a V-6, while Premier versions employ only the V-6. Automatic transmissions and front-wheel drive are standard across the line; all-wheel drive is optional. I drove an all-wheel-drive Mariner Premier. There is also a hybrid version.

When the first-generation Mariner and Escape arrived, Ford's 200-horsepower Duratec V-6 served up capable acceleration compared with the barely-there passing power of its compact contemporaries. But today, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Saturn Vue offer energetic, sometimes thrilling, power, and the Mariner doesn't seem so athletic anymore. Power is adequate in most situations, but if you need to stomp on the gas to merge into a passing lane or climb a hill, the drivetrain can run out of breath.

Though it trails the competition by a gear or two, the Mariner's automatic transmission doesn't feel completely dated. It dispenses upshifts smoothly under normal conditions, and quickly under rapid acceleration. At low speeds, it suffers none of the parking-lot fussiness that afflicts some other transmissions. A fifth or sixth gear would come in handy for highway passing, but the Mariner's transmission still kicks down without too much hesitation.

I didn't drive the front-wheel-drive Mariner. It shaves off 164 pounds - about 5 percent of the SUV's total weight - which likely contributes to sprightlier acceleration. A 153-hp four-cylinder is also available, but I didn't drive it, either.

Gas mileage ranges from 17/22 miles per gallon (city/highway) with all-wheel drive and the V-6 to 20/26 miles per gallon with the four-cylinder and front-wheel drive.

Antilock brakes are standard, though they use discs in front and drums in back. Most major competitors have four-wheel-discs. The optional all-wheel-drive system sends power to the front or rear wheels as needed.

Mercury says the Mariner boasts a number of improvements for quieter driving. Among them are thicker side glass, a quieter cooling fan and more sound-deadening insulation. Aside from a persistent rattle somewhere near the passenger-side A-pillar, I found the ride impressively quiet over a 300-mile trip.

My trip subjected the SUV to fierce crosswinds, but the steering wheel never became twitchy or imprecise. At lower speeds, the Mariner steers with a light effort, which makes for easy parking-lot maneuvers.

Cabin quality is hit-or-miss. The dashboard's contemporary shapes and angled surfaces look interesting, but the plastics look and feel cheap, with uneven gaps along some surfaces. Elements like the hazards button and overhead sunglass holders seem like they were added at the last minute, and the center controls and gearshift surroundings go overboard with silver-painted plastic. Oddly enough, the headliner is a high point; where many other SUVs have cardboard-hard mouse-fur, Mercury has invested in a rich, well-padded surface. But I could fit my laptop in the mammoth center console, and the radio and air-conditioning controls place essential information on an easily readable display atop the dashboard.

The seats have decent adjustment range, though the power driver's seat doesn't include a power recliner. The seat cushions are durable, but the ones in back are a bit low to the ground. The rear seats aren't adjustable, and folding them down is a frustrating three-step process: Remove the head restraints, flip the seat cushions forward, and fold the seat down. Other SUVs do this in one easy step. With the seats folded, the Mariner offers a competitive 66.2 cubic feet of storage space.

Standard safety features include front and side-impact airbags for the front seats, along with side curtain airbags for both rows; antilock brakes; traction control; and an electronic stability system. The stability system employs Ford's Roll Stability Control, which uses a tilt sensor to detect imminent rollovers and apply preventative measures.

The base model is priced at $20,920 and standard features include an automatic transmission, alloy wheels, and cruise control -all optional on the Escape. Power windows, a CD stereo, a trip computer, and remote keyless entry are also standard. Upgrading to the V-6 adds $1,000, and all-wheel drive costs $1,750. The Mariner Premier starts at $23,820 and comes with the V-6, leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Heated seats, a moonroof, and a navigation system are optional.

Among compact SUVs, the Mariner is squarely in the middle of the pack. For many buyers, it should prove entirely adequate.

Base list price $21,155 to $25,805
EPA fuel economy 17-20 mpg city; 22-26 mpg highway
Engines 153-hp, 2.3-liter inline-4; 200-hp, 3.0-liter V-6
Transmission 4-speed automatic w/OD

What we like
Highway ride
Features for the money
Appealing styling
Safety features
Smooth transmission

What we don't
Backseat comfort
Awkward backseat folding
Spotty interior quality
Some cheap controls
Mushy brakes