2010 Mercury Mariner
It wasn't that long ago that the sport-utility vehicle was the hottest property on the automotive planet. Fuel costs have obviously taken quite a bit of the luster off the SUV shine but, the truth is, it's very difficult to beat a sport utility when it comes to practicality. Nothing can match the versatility or the packaging. They're that good.
But today, everyone knows fuel economy and price is an issue. Gas sipping micro cars are today's hot commodities. But the trouble with some itsy-bitsy cars is they're really not built for day-to-day use in America. It's pretty tough to pack a four-person family, luggage for those four folks and other amenities into what amounts to half a car then go on a vacation. Or even take a weekend trip to the country. Or take you, your family and your gear to the beach. Given the wide fluctuations in fuel costs we see today, what's a body, or a family, to do?
Value and Versatility
Enter the 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL. Here's a well-equipped, right-sized SUV that fits the family mold perfectly, and simultaneously whizzes by gas stations with ease. Four-cylinder front-wheel-drive (FWD) models manage an EPA estimated 28 mpg on the highway. That translates into over 460 miles on a single tank fill in highway driving with its 16.5-gallon tank. Equally important, the cargo capacity in the 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL is 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Fold down the rear seats and you'll have more than 67 cubic feet of flat load floor capacity. Remember the versatility we mentioned earlier? The back seat is a 60/40 split-folding affair. That means you have an option on both seating capacity and cargo capability. Another bonus is the low lift-over height of the tailgate.
There's more too: Available on all gasoline (non-hybrid) models at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL is the Cargo Package, which includes black roof rack crossbars. The package also includes the "Interior Cargo Management System" with small-item storage and retractable cargo cover to help shield your items from prying eyes. Another option is a lockable wet storage compartment located below the cargo load floor. You can store wet towels or clothing in the compartment after a day at the beach. And you don't have to worry about soiling the interior of your Mariner.
Driving Comfort
Climb behind the wheel of any 2010 Mercury Mariner at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL, and you'll understand why SUVs of all sorts prove popular: Your view of the road is commanding. Mercury has enhanced the visibility in the 2010 Mercury Mariner, available at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL by adding integrated blind-spot mirrors as standard equipment. Front row seating consists of two low back bucket seats with standard two-way adjustment or optional six-way power driver seat. The instrument cluster directly in front of the driver consists of a large tachometer on the left with the speedometer on the right. Fuel and temperature gauges take up the center top of the cluster, with a digital information center directly below. To the right is the climate control and audio stack.
Standard on the base 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL is an AM/FM/single CD/MP3 capable stereo with four speakers. Satellite radio from SIRIUS is standard on all series and Ford Motor Company's exclusive SYNC® in-car voice-activated communications and entertainment system is optional. The more common hand-operated controls in the 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL prove easy-to-reach and are equally easy to decipher. Between the seats is a full feature center console, with four cup holders (two front, two rear), along with a clever center storage arrangement with bins that can be removed and attached to the back or the side of the console. With both bins removed, there's room for a standard-size laptop computer. Air conditioning, keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a full suite of power accessories are standard, even in the base model. MyKey, a new feature that enables parents to set limits on audio volume and driving speed when their teens take the car, is standard on all 2010 Mercury Mariner trims available at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL. Rear View Camera and Active Park Assist are also new features for 2010, available on Mariners with the Premier Package at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL.
Unique, Modern Styling
Walk around the Mariner and you'll discover styling that is unquestionably Mercury. The bold grille is a cascading waterfall affair that ends with a trio of nostrils located near the base of the front fascia. The grille is flanked by side repeater lamps and low mounted fog lamps to help guide you through snow, rain, mist and other inclement weather. The standard power side mirrors are heated and color-keyed on Premier models. Privacy glass on the rear doors, quarter windows and the lift-gate are all standard on the 2010 Mercury Mariner, available at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL. Roof rack side rails are standard on all models with black cross bars included in the available Cargo Package. The base 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL comes equipped with 16x7-inch, six-spoke painted aluminum wheels. Mercury offers a wide range of optional 16- and 17-inch wheels for various Mariner models, all of which are available at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL.
Performance and Handling
Hit the road, and you'll immediately be impressed with the handling. Two years ago, the Mariner was treated to electric power steering. The road feel and response is far better than you might have guessed. Ditto with the way the four wheel independent suspension (MacPherson strut front, multilink rear) has been tuned. Ride quality is likely one of the best in the compact SUV segment. And while it's no ultimate corner carving sports car, it easily manages to hold its own on the two-lane mountain back roads we call home.
Powering Mercury's smallest SUV is a 2.5-liter, 16-valve DOHC four cylinder engine that produces an impressive 171 horsepower along with 171 lb/feet of torque. Optionally available at Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL is a 24-valve, DOHC 3.0-liter V6 (240 horsepower, 223 lb/feet of torque). The Duratech V6 is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That means you can tow a light camper, dirt bike, snowmobile or jet-ski with ease. Backing either engine is a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. The engine and transmission package is responsive with excellent downshift capabilities.
In the 2010 Mercury Mariner from Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL, it's clear you have to give up little or nothing when it comes to packaging, performance or fuel economy. It's the station wagon of today, with features and amenities geared toward the American family and contemporary lifestyles.
For details or to schedule a test drive of the 2010 Mercury Mariner, contact Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury in St. Augustine, FL today and discover why Bozard Ford Lincoln Mercury continues to be the leader in new car and used car sales serving St. Augustine, Orange Park, Daytona, Palatka and the greater Jacksonville, Florida area.
Source: [MercuryVehicles.com]
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/extras/reviews.asp?review=mariner&year=2010