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2009 Mercury Mariner Safety Review

January 2, 2009

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety Pick
IIHS

Safety features include ABS, traction control
Consumer Guide

Many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com mention that the 2009 Mercury Mariner rides on an underlying design that’s at least nine years old, but it manages to perform well in crash tests.

Both the IIHS and NHTSA award the Mercury Mariner their highest possible marks in every impact category. In NHTSA tests, the 2009 Mercury Mariner earns a five-star rating in both frontal impact tests, as well as both of the side impact tests. The IIHS also gives the Mercury Mariner its highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact tests. Furthermore, the IIHS names the 2009 Mercury Mariner a Top Safety Pick, citing the Mercury Mariner's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control."

In addition to an electronic stability control system, the Mercury Mariner comes with all the safety features expected on SUVs. ConsumerGuide reports that "available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags and front side airbags." Edmunds also notes that "a rollover sensor" for the curtain airbags is standard, but on the downside, they point out that the Mercury Mariner's "rear brakes were downgraded to inferior drums in 2009, and the '09 Mariner continues to bear this badge of shame." TheCarConnection.com’s editors remark that drum brakes bring added weight and inferior high-speed braking ability, but they cost less.

One other thing to point out is that the Mercury Mariner is one of just a few small sport-utility vehicles to be rated three stars for rollover from NHTSA, pointing to its higher chance to roll over than lower or wider vehicles.

Some SUVs are notorious for their poor visibility, but the compact Mercury Mariner doesn't suffer from this common SUV criticism. In fact, ConsumerGuide proclaims that the Mercury Mariner offers "fine all-around visibility," thanks to its commanding driving position and large windows.

Conclusion

The 2009 Mercury Mariner has a few safety drawbacks: drum brakes in the rear, and a lower-than-typical rollover rating.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAGood," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety PickIIHSSafety features include ABS, traction controlConsumer Guide Many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com mention that the 2009 Mercury Mariner rides on an underlying design that’s at least nine years old, but it manages to perform well in crash tests. Both the IIHS and NHTSA award the Mercury Mariner their highest possible marks in every impact category. In NHTSA tests, the 2009 Mercury Mariner earns a five-star rating in both frontal impact tests, as well as both of the side impact tests. The IIHS also gives the Mercury Mariner its highest possible rating, "good," in both the frontal offset and side impact tests. Furthermore, the IIHS names the 2009 Mercury Mariner a Top Safety Pick, citing the Mercury Mariner's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control." In addition to an electronic stability control system, the Mercury Mariner comes with all the safety features expected on SUVs. ConsumerGuide reports that "available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags and front side airbags." Edmunds also notes that "a rollover sensor" for the curtain airbags is standard, but on the downside, they point out that the Mercury Mariner's "rear brakes were downgraded to inferior drums in 2009, and the '09 Mariner continues to bear this badge of shame." TheCarConnection.com’s editors remark that drum brakes bring added weight and inferior high-speed braking ability, but they cost less. One other thing to point out is that the Mercury Mariner is one of just a few small sport-utility vehicles to be rated three stars for rollover from NHTSA, pointing to its higher chance to roll over than lower or wider vehicles. Some SUVs are notorious for their poor visibility, but the compact Mercury Mariner doesn't suffer from this common SUV criticism. In fact, ConsumerGuide proclaims that the Mercury Mariner offers "fine all-around visibility," thanks to its commanding driving position and large windows. ConclusionThe 2009 Mercury Mariner has a few safety drawbacks: drum brakes in the rear, and a lower-than-typical rollover rating. 2009 MERCURY MARINER STYLING [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "Dashboard's contemporary shapes and angled surfaces look interesting enough" ConsumerGuide: "Climate controls are simple to use" Car and Driver: "Square-jawed and trucklike compared to their relatively effete competition" A lot has ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

It would have been easy to list two dozen alternatives to the 2009 Mercury Mariner if one looked outside the narrow interpretation of what constitutes a compact SUV. But one of the closest competitors to the Mariner is the all-new Dodge Journey. In terms of styling, the Journey has strong looks that turn heads and plenty of features inside, such as multiple cubbies and rich infotainment options. However, the Journey's interior design isn't pleasing to the eye, and the materials feel subpar for the category―not just in comparison to the Mariner. In terms of driving dynamics, the Honda CR-V is one of our all-time favorites, but some people have a hard time getting past the SUV's styling and the lack of optional V-6 power. More people admire the styling of the all-new Saturn Vue. Like the Mariner, the Vue offers a hybrid option (a second hybrid choice is on the way for the Vue). The Hyundai Tucson drives more like the pre-2009 Mariners, but does so with a low price and an especially long warranty.

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See the Mercury Mariner in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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