2009 Mercury Mariner Review

The 2009 Mercury Mariner might aim for the upscale market, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the interior falls well short of any pretense of luxury. However, the Mercury Mariner does manage to redeem itself somewhat in the area of passenger comfort.

Cars.com reviewers have mixed reactions to the "five-seat Mariner's" front seats, which they say "have decent adjustment range, though the power driver's seat doesn't include a power recliner—you have to angle it forward and backward manually." Other than that minor issue, reviewers are impressed with what Edmunds calls the "comfortable interior," and they go on to say the "front seats are nicely shaped and supportive." Reviewers are very split on rear seat comfort, as ConsumerGuide attests that "knee clearance and foot space are well above the class norm" and "the supportive and well-countered seat is wide enough for short-trip three-adult comfort." On the negative side, Edmunds states that "the rear seat is as flat as a day-old soda and offers neither a recline function nor fore/aft adjustability." Cars.com agrees, noting "the seats have durable cushions, but the ones in back are a bit low to the ground, so tall passengers should expect to become familiar with their knees." In short, you'll have to visit your local Mercury dealer to see if the rear seat of the 2009 Mercury Mariner is the right fit for you.

Cargo space is respectable on the 2009 Mercury Mariner, but unlocking the Mercury Mariner's full potential in this regard can be a hassle. Cars.com points out that while the Mercury Mariner "offers a competitive 66.3 cubic feet of storage space" when the seats are folded, "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 the seat down." Edmunds agrees "it's a pain to fold the rear seat down," but even when they're in place the "cargo volume stands at a useful 29 cubic feet." According to ConsumerGuide, the "cabin small-item storage is plentiful" as well and "includes several console bins, as well as pockets in all four doors."

The biggest complaints in this category arise from the poor overall quality found on the 2009 Mercury Mariner. ConsumerGuide says the Mercury Mariner's "interior is awash in hard, hollow plastics" and "the overall ambiance is low-buck," while their "extended-use test vehicle has some misaligned trim on the front-passenger door." Cars.com also rips into the Mercury Mariner's overall quality, claiming "the plastics look and feel cheap, with uneven gaps along some surfaces." The only positive sentiment comes from Edmunds, where reviewers declare that "fit and finish is good inside the 2009 Mercury Mariner," though this represents a very clear minority opinion.

Fortunately, despite its evident manufacturing quality flaws, the Mercury Mariner offers a subdued driving environment. Cars.com credits "last year's sound-deadening improvements" for making it "possible to enjoy instrumental music without cranking the stereo" when driving at highway speeds. ConsumerGuide adds that "wind and road noise are also present but are not objectionably loud."