Summary

The 2006 Mercury Mariner is a good choice among compact SUVs. It's a good road car and the back seats fold flat for hauling stuff. The V6 model delivers the better performance than the standard four-cylinder. Whether the extra cost for the Hybrid can be offset by the increased fuel savings is a matter for the mathematicians and your own driving habits, but there is the comforting thought that fewer harmful emissions are coming from the tailpipe than from a full gasoline-powered SUV.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from San Jose, California; Greg Brown contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

Model Line Overview

Model lineup:Mercury Mariner Convenience FWD ($21,380); Convenience 4WD ($23,130); Luxury FWD ($23,285); Luxury 4WD ($25,035); Premier FWD ($25,035); Premier 4WD ($26,785); Mariner Hybrid ($29,225)

Engines:2.3-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4; 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 2.3-liter dohc 16-valve Atkinson cycle inline-4 coupled to a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor

Transmissions:4-speed automatic; CVT

Safety equipment (standard):dual two-stage frontal airbags; antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist; LATCH

Safety equipment (optional):seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags; reverse sensing system

Basic warranty:3 years/36,000 miles

Assembled in:Avon Lake, Ohio