2006 Mercury Mariner Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$21,995 to $27,400

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.6

avg user rating

(5 reviews)
2006 Mercury Mariner Preview summaryImage

Mercury continues its compact SUV line with the 2006 Mariner. Based on the same platform as the Ford Escape and the Mazda Tribute, similarities between them end there with Mercury's interpretation of the compact SUV.

The Mariner retains its own sporty character by its distinctive exterior and interior. Reviewers found the Mercury's exterior styling cues attractive and upscale. The Mariner's interior is similarly upscale with its generous use of brushed/satin aluminum finish trims: shift lever cap, steering wheel hub logo, flat door surfaces, instrument bezels, and the center stack's vertical braces.

For short trips, the Mariner provides adequate seating for five, but most reviewers reported the seats uncomfortable for extended travel. Yet passengers have plenty of room, and this compact SUV offers generous cargo space along with many storage bins. The back seat has a 60/40 split, and while not comfortable for long trips, it comes equipped with three individual three-point safety belts and adjustable head restraints.

New for 2006, Mercury offers a "Moon and Tune" package that features a power moonroof and an AM/FM audio system with satellite radio and 6-disc in-dash CD changer. Some new colors are also available. Standard safety features include dual two-stage frontal airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, and lower anchors and tethers for children. Seat-mounted side-impact and side curtain airbags and a reverse sensing system are options.

The base Mariner comes with an inline-4 engine, FWD configuration, with a V6 and 4WD optional. Most reviewers found the four-cylinder engine "adequate," but preferred the V6's extra power. Both engines are noisy in their upper ranges. The Mariner's interior offers a quieter ride than its Escape cousin, but mirror wind noise does intrude around 60 mph.

Overall, the Mariner represents an upscale, sportier version of the Escape. Reviewers liked its handling - a bit more compliant than its cousins - and its stylish exterior and interior.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2006 Mercury Mariner

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User rating:
by Todd and Heather Y
Mar 11, 2022
The vehicle ran and strong. Handling was still stiff and solid. It did not feel worn out so we purchased it. Our niece is quite happy with it. Mar 11, 2022
by Murilo V
Sep 12, 2012
Good quality car. Had it for 2 years, put through newspaper route for those 2 years and it is now showing signs of repair. Never had a problem with the car other wise. Would definitely own another one but would get the hybrid version. Sep 12, 2012
by Anonymous
Jun 25, 2011
The main reason I like this car is the dependability. I got this 4 wheel dirve in the winter of 2006. My first snow storm it got to me work fine. I had a 1999 Infiniti QX4 before this and that was a larger 4 wheel drive. Traded it it for this which I bought new in 2006. So I didn't know what to expect for the winter months. It got me through every winter. I only put about 8000 miles per year on it. Jun 25, 2011

2006 Mercury Mariner Pricing

Original MSRP
$21,995 to $27,400
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: seatback

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Multi-function remote: keyless entry ยท Overhead console: overhead console with storage ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: seatback

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps ยท Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated ยท Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

6 disc in-dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท Premium Brand: MACH ยท AM/FM radio ยท 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: drum

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming ยท Multi-function remote: keyless entry ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: door pockets

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual ยท Power adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable ยท Number of front headrests: 2 ยท Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps ยท Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Safety

Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining ยท Driver seat power adjustments: height ยท Front seat type: bucket ยท Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: leather ยท Upholstery accents: faux suede

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Multi-function remote: keyless entry ยท Overhead console: overhead console with storage ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: seatback

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps ยท Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power ยท Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Front seat type: bucket ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

Airbags

Dual front airbags ยท Front and rear head airbags ยท Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation ยท Front side airbags

Audio System

6 disc in-dash CD ยท MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback ยท Premium Brand: MACH ยท AM/FM radio ยท 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel ยท Front brakes: ventilated disc ยท Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mats: front ยท Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage ยท Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming ยท Multi-function remote: keyless entry ยท Reading lights: front ยท Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable ยท Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls ยท Storage: seatback

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual ยท Power adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable ยท Number of front headrests: 2 ยท Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps ยท Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: split-bench

Roof

Sunroof: power glass

Safety

Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Rear center seatbelt: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining ยท Driver seat power adjustments: height ยท Front seat type: bucket ยท Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining ยท Rear headrests: adjustable ยท Rear seat folding: split ยท Upholstery: leather ยท Upholstery accents: faux suede

Spare Tire

Mount Location: underbody ยท Size: full-size

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent ยท Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts ยท Rear Suspension Classification: independent ยท Rear Suspension Type: multi-link ยท Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent ยท Liftgate window: manual flip-up

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