Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a steal 12/06/2010
SUVs have fallen out of favor in recent years because many drivers began questioning the vehicles' gas-guzzling tendencies. But with the introduction of a number of hybrid SUV models, those who prefer bigger vehicles can have their cake and eat it too.
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the more popular eco-friendly SUVs, but like Toyota's best-selling Prius, drivers will pay for the privilege of saying they drive a hybrid. A better option is something like the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which, at $31,865, is more than $5,000 less than the $37,290 Highlander.
The $5,000 gets drivers a V6 engine over the Mariner's inline 4, which translates to about 90 more horsepower. Yet most drivers who are going the hybrid SUV route aren't going to be taking their car to the track anytime soon. The Mariner gets drivers from A to B more efficiently than the Highlander, with a 6 mpg advantage in the city and 3 mpg advantage on the highway.
Combine the savings on gas, the initial savings off the price tag and the likelihood that a dealer will be looking to get rid of the vehicles now that the Mercury brand is ending, and drivers will likely be able to save a bundle by opting for the Mariner over its higher-priced competitors.