Ford Launches Redesigned Mariner

Ford unveiled the updated Mercury Mariner today, touting a refined interior and new electric power steering in the small SUV’s first significant redesign since its launch.

The new Mariner will hit showrooms in early 2007 with an all-new interior that Ford says will be quieter and more refined than the old version. From the outside, the 2008 Mariner has a new hood, liftgate, headlamps and taillamps, as well as a raised beltline. There’s also a new, larger grille with bigger openings between the bars.

Ford says new electric power steering will give the Mariner better, more carlike handling without sacrificing its offroad ability.

The Mariner comes in two trim levels: base and Premier, which adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, available satin inserts on the roof rack, leather seats, a power driver’s seat, dual automatic temperature control and body-colored mirrors.

Comments

[segfault]

Ford seems to be the only manufacturer who can't figure out how to paint the sensors for the park assist system.

The headlamps on the new Mariner look a little too square, and the bigger slats on the grille look less intricate. Looking at the console, it appears they finally added Advancetrac.

[Glen from Hesperia, CA]

The new Mercury Mariner has been nicely refreshed. The new design features give the Mariner a more aggressive look which falls in line with what the consumer deems to be the look that is desired. The interior is much more refined. Good job, Ford! Mercury just needs some good marketing to bring the nameplate to life.

[ido]

i was just thinking of getting the hybrid version but decited to wait for the redesgin and here it is, its awesome!!

[DanTron]

In these photos the head and tail lamps look cluttered and gimicky, something I'm seeing more of these days. Ugh. The rear end looks like a Chevy Equinox. The front, Nissan trucks and SUVs in all their unlovlieness. What is with the big black lines around the head and tail lamps? They look like honking big gaps, is what they look like. Maybe all this is less noticable in a black vehicle. Anyway, pointless bling is pointless bling, and what in the heck is a Mercury anymore anyway, Mr. Ford? I don't see an iPod jack but maybe that's it just above the black shelf in front of the shifter, which is a smart place to put it.

[Peppy]

agreed with DanTron...Mercuries are just Fords... just like how Plymouth was practiclly only a Dodge and Chrysler near its end. no products of its own, just Ford products with the Mercury name and "refinement"

[Dave Sheppard]

Look's ok... interior look's cool- totally different. We're all forgetting, this isn't just a re-badged Ford here, this is a rebadged Mazda to Ford to Mercury! C'mon Ford, give us something that you actually thought of and make YOURSELF! And Mercury, why can't you do the same? Let's not play like the General, and just make one car that is re-badged 10 times!

[jyd]

Here is an example of a design that didn't need to be "refreshed" quite this much. The outgoing Mariner was a handsome small suv. The new grille is too busy with competing shapes and sizes. It doesn't flow as well as the previous. Ford and Lincoln seem to have found their groove from a styling standpoint and are making good strides toward making interesting, good-looking designs. Mercury still seems confused about where it wants to be. One thing they share with Ford is the continued poor interiors.

I really think the days of three levels of branding are fast becoming history. The japanese have figured this out. They have Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti and Honda/Acura. They offer bargain versions of their main line or dressed up versions. You can get a Camry anywhere between 15k and 30k. If you want nicer than that you move up to their luxury brand.

Ford and GM continue to falter with Mercury, Buick and Saturn. Ford should stick to Ford/Lincoln and retire Mercury altogether.