Hybrid SUVs - Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner?

[kam]

We're looking to replace our primary car (an SUV) with a hybrid and wanted opinions. We are looking at the Ford Escape and the Mercury Mariner. While the Toyota Highlander is nice, the mpg still seems rather low for a hybrid and, after all the bells and whistles, we're looking at over $40k which is more than we want to spend.

In driving the Escape, it seemed kind of cheap-looking for a the price (granted, it was a low-end SUV we were testing as that was all that was available). It was big enough and okay from the outside, but the inside kind of reminded me why I don't like Fords (DH owned one and, after trading it in, I vowed "never again").

Now the Mariner is actually a Ford brand as well, but from what I'm told is more luxury. We apparently can't test drive a hybrid because they don't have them on any lot in a 50-mile radius. I really don't want to buy a car I can't test drive, but from what I'm told it's the same as the Ford Escape with a nicer look.

Anyone have experiences with either of these hybrid SUVs?

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I haven't driven the hybrid Escape, but if it's anything like the regular, I would go for the Mariner.

The Escape doesn't handle well at all. I was test driving it, and it started to rain. When I went to hit the brakes, I was slipping and sliding (normal braking, not emergency or anything) on the road. I felt that I had no traction. Honestly, I used to drive a light pickup truck with standard brakes so I know what it's like to drive a car that slides when wet, and I didn't feel a bit comfortable or safe in the Escape when it was raining.

I think lml has an Escape, and says that the road noise is horrible.

[Tanya]

I have an Escape (not a hybrid), and I have no issues with it. In fact, just last week I got new tires and it cut down on the road noise considerably. I've never had issues with the brakes, but mine is ABS, maybe the one you test drove wasn't? And I live in Houston, so I drive a lot in the rain;). For the price, I think it's a great car. My mom, who's always driven luxury cars, was impressed with it and acutally enjoyed driving it around town. This is compared to my dad's Tahoe which she doesn't really care to drive. It drives much more like a car than any other SUV I've driven, esp. DH's Explorer.

My complaints are that in my model there's only one cabin light and there's no vanity mirrors (I had to add mirrors), but it was used, so I wasn't complaining too much. I have the V6 4x4 version.

[kam]

Thanks for the info ladies.

And bumpety bump bump. Need more opinions! Thanks.

[fuzzy]

I think lml has an Escape, and says that the road noise is horrible.

Yup, the Mercury is much plusher. ;) But I had forgotten about the road noise factor. I drove an Escape around Arizona for a week last winter. I loved it but also felt the road noise (really, the wind!) was awful. I never thought road noise would bother me, but eh, it did. I was so sick of saying "What?" by the end of the trip.

I haven't have the same problem with the Mariner. Granted, we haven't had any really windy weather so I could really test it out, but even on your normal, everyday roads, the noise in the Mariner is much better.

[MrsSmith]

Mercury is better all around than Ford. You'll enjoy the Mariner :)

[Phen]

I have a Mazda Tribute, which is the same exact car as the Ford Escape (made in the same factory and everything; just has a cheaper MSRP). It's not a luxury car by any means, but we think it's a great workhorse of a small SUV.

I haven't noticed issues with road noise or with difficulty handling in rain. Mine's a 2004, though, so maybe the road noise issue is with a different model year.

~ Phen