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2005 Mercury Mariner Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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2005 Mercury Mariner
In 2005, Mercury's addition of the Mariner filled out its slot for a compact sport utility. The Mariner's Ford siblings, the Escape and the Mazda Tribute, share the same running platform.
The application of the Mercury styling cues - "waterfalls" front grill, large air inlet in the front fascia, and other unique touches - made one reviewer see Lincoln Navigator features. But there are no power running boards here, as Mercury pitches this compact SUV to a younger upscale audience.
The interior treatment reflects the upscale nature of the Mariner with its highest trim line, Premium, featuring unique two-tone interiors that impressed reviewers. Leather with suede insert covered heated fronts seats are options built upon Mazda sourced seat frames. These seats also offer 6-way power adjustment with a manual lumbar support. Reviewers commented on the greater comfort of the Mariner seats when compared to the Escape. And with more sound insulation than its siblings, Mariner affords the quietest interior. Mercury focuses on the "luxury" aspect of its compact SUV to gain entry to this niche market.
The ride tends to be softer than the Escape, but proves to be as "tossable" on the highway due to the shared running gear platform. The Mariner offers either a front or a four-wheel drive configuration driven through a four-speed automatic transmission by either an I4 or a V6. At a "slender" 3,285 - 3,328 pounds (depending on engine choice), either of these engines move the Mariner along reasonably well, though both are noisy in the upper range. The four cylinder averages 20.5 mpg and the AWD V6, 19.5 mpg.
The Mariner provides 29.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, 62.5 cubic feet with those seats flipped forward, and 66.3 cubic feet with the cushions removed. It can tow a boat or camper up to 3,500 pounds.
In the compact SUV market, the Mercury Mariner should be considered given its basic features and upscale components.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2005 Mercury Mariner
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 18, 2014
We bought our car new as a 2005 closeout. It is a 4 cylinder, automatic 2 wheel drive. The car now has 137,000 miles, it has only been in the service department once for a small safety recall. I am able to service the car myself as I don't tend to trust outside garages. The engine oil is changed every 3,000 miles with Motorcraft 5w20 synth. blend, automatic transmission fluid has been changed twice, fuel filter has been changed 3 times, belt and spark plugs changed once. The brake pads are original and still have 1/4 life remaining, however it appears the rotors will need to be replaced along with the pads, as they appear to be taking the wear faster than the pads. The torque converter in the transmission failed at 136,000 which would have cost approx. $1500.00 -3000.00 but I was able to replace it myself for around $300.00 in parts and materials. The car is now on its third set of tires. We had had issues with "tire tread cupping" which made the tires roar loudly, and resulted in the tires being replaced early, so frequent tire balance and rotation in essential for long tire life, unfortunately, I tend to forget about them. The car has also had issues with carbon building up in the fuel injection throttle whereas the acclerator wants to stick in the closed position. Again, I have cleaned the throttle body myself, but expect to play the dealer several hundred dollars for the cleaning. The car was a good buy for the $16,900.00 we paid for it and we expect to drive it until it is no longer cost effective to repair it or until it becomes completely unreliable, which to us is a better measure of the quality of a car than resale value or status. It is also our only car for daily transportation.Jan 18, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 16, 2013
This is a great midsize SUV, great fuel economy and roomy inside. Great trunk space, perfect as a family car,Maintenance cost is great too. Two tone interior gives a nice touch for this vehicle, and great for young adults, college students.Nov 16, 2013
by Tom G
Dec 01, 2009
it is a very dependable and reliable car, never gives
me any problems. It lacks on looks but has plenty of
options and power for what it costs. It also has plenty
of room and is decent on gas. Great buy.Dec 01, 2009
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 18, 2014
We bought our car new as a 2005 closeout. It is a 4 cylinder, automatic 2 wheel drive. The car now has 137,000 miles, it has only been in the service department once for a small safety recall. I am able to service the car myself as I don't tend to trust outside garages. The engine oil is changed every 3,000 miles with Motorcraft 5w20 synth. blend, automatic transmission fluid has been changed twice, fuel filter has been changed 3 times, belt and spark plugs changed once. The brake pads are original and still have 1/4 life remaining, however it appears the rotors will need to be replaced along with the pads, as they appear to be taking the wear faster than the pads. The torque converter in the transmission failed at 136,000 which would have cost approx. $1500.00 -3000.00 but I was able to replace it myself for around $300.00 in parts and materials. The car is now on its third set of tires. We had had issues with "tire tread cupping" which made the tires roar loudly, and resulted in the tires being replaced early, so frequent tire balance and rotation in essential for long tire life, unfortunately, I tend to forget about them. The car has also had issues with carbon building up in the fuel injection throttle whereas the acclerator wants to stick in the closed position. Again, I have cleaned the throttle body myself, but expect to play the dealer several hundred dollars for the cleaning. The car was a good buy for the $16,900.00 we paid for it and we expect to drive it until it is no longer cost effective to repair it or until it becomes completely unreliable, which to us is a better measure of the quality of a car than resale value or status. It is also our only car for daily transportation.Jan 18, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 16, 2013
This is a great midsize SUV, great fuel economy and roomy inside. Great trunk space, perfect as a family car,Maintenance cost is great too. Two tone interior gives a nice touch for this vehicle, and great for young adults, college students.Nov 16, 2013
by Tom G
Dec 01, 2009
it is a very dependable and reliable car, never gives
me any problems. It lacks on looks but has plenty of
options and power for what it costs. It also has plenty
of room and is decent on gas. Great buy.Dec 01, 2009
by Andrea B
Jul 28, 2009
I love my car. It suits me. Its fun to drive and is a lot faster that driving my old truck around. I like the color, there are not many others like it. I would love to have the new 2008, they are great looking.Jul 28, 2009
by Chris R
Jan 23, 2008
The Mercury Mariner is a solid vehicle. Additional features are available on the Mariner that you would not find on the Escape. Jan 23, 2008
What users have asked
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10 views
losing water, smoking
I have a 05 mercury mariner. I've been constantly having to put antifreeze and water in it daily. It hasn't ran hot on me any, and I sat on pavement for 30 mins waiting to see for a leak and saw no water no liquid at all so no signs of a leak. I checked my oil couple days ago and i know it could use an oil change but it was completely empty i added couple quarts to it to get me over until i can change it next week but when I was leaving for work crank up car went to add water into reservoir and saw smoke like white greyish smoke coming from above the belt it smelt kinda like burnt smell but i cant really tell for sure if its coming from the belt or not what do i do??? Please help me!
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2005 Mercury Mariner Pricing
Original MSRP
$22,040 to $26,785Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: MACH · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: MACH · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent