Mercury Mariner

Name: 2006 Mercury Mariner
Brand: Mercury

EPA MPG: NA

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

First Take

The Mariner is a twin of the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. All are unibody SUVs with a fully independent suspension. Our Ford Escape had a roomy interior that included a spacious rear bench. Handling is relatively nimble. The 3.0-liter V6 serves up adequate acceleration. Fuel economy was disappointing at just 18 mpg overall. The Mariner's sibling, the Escape, tipped up in the government rollover test. A hybrid version, like the Escape, is available for the Mariner. In our tests, the Escape hybrid attained 26 mpg.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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2006 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mercury Mariner

vs. Similar Cars

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Subaru Forester

Toyota RAV4

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

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2005

2006

2007

2008

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2011

2012

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2015

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2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Acceptable

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2006 Compact SUVs Ratings

2006 Mercury Mariner

$3,225 - $3,750

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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2006 Chevrolet Equinox

$2,875 - $3,000

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2006 Ford Escape

$3,200 - $3,750

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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2006 Ford Escape Hybrid

$3,200 - $3,750

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

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2006 Honda CR-V

$5,225 - $5,625

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2006 Honda Element

$4,825 - $6,375

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2006 Hyundai Tucson

$3,325 - $3,850

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2006 Jeep Liberty

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2006 Kia Sorento

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2006 Kia Sportage

$3,000 - $3,925

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2006 Mazda Tribute

$3,275 - $3,750

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2006 Mitsubishi Outlander

$3,025 - $4,275

EPA MPG 22 mpg

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2006 Nissan Xterra

$3,700 - $4,850

EPA MPG 18 mpg

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2006 Pontiac Aztek

$ NA

EPA MPG 20 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2006 Pontiac Torrent

$3,500 - $3,700

EPA MPG NA

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Owner Satisfaction

2006 Saturn Vue

$3,075 - $3,650

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2006 Subaru Forester

$4,125 - $5,325

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$4,075 - $4,175

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2006 Toyota RAV4

$5,550 - $5,875

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2.3-liter 4 (153 hp)
2.3-liter 4 hybrid (155 hp)
3-liter V6 (200 hp)

CVT
4-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2008-2011

2008 Redesign Year

The freshened 2008 model had standard side curtain airbags and, on non-hybrid models, electronic stability control. However, even with the freshening, the basic platform dated back to 2001. This shows up in a decided lack of agility, noisiness, and an unsettled ride. Interior fit and finish are improved over the previous model, but remain lackluster. On the plus side, the Mariner offers reasonably good interior room, easy access, and good outward visibility. A rear-view camera is optional. The 2011 model year was the last for the Mercury brand.

2005-2007

2005 Redesign Year

The Mariner has a roomy interior and great visibility out of the large windows. Handling is relatively nimble. The 3.0-liter, 200-hp V6 serves up adequate acceleration, but fuel economy is disappointing at just 18 mpg overall. A tip up in the government rollover test is a concern, and the Mariner scored Poor in the IIHS side-crash test when tested without side and curtain airbags. A hybrid version of the Mariner attained 26 mpg in our tests.