| In a general, impressionistic way, the Mariner looks a lot like a shrunken version of the larger Mercury Mountaineer SUV.
And while it may have a sedan-style unitbody with fully independent suspension underneath, the Mariner has a more conventional, upright, truck-style look than a lot of its competitors.
It starts with the big, bold, waterfall grille, which immediately attracts the eye from any angle on the front of the vehicle.
There's a lot of brightwork on the Mariner front and rear, but it's mostly a satiny, aluminum finish rather than conventional chrome.
It gives the Mariner a more understated, slightly more upscale look than the closely related Ford Escape.
The high beltline creates the impression that the windows are short or narrow, emphasizing the Mariner's truck-like look.
The taillights have the same eyebrow shape as the headlights, which helps connect front and rear.
The lenses are clear, with red and white clusters.
We particularly like a couple of features in back of the Mariner.
A step pad on the bumper provides secure footing for anyone who steps up to put something on the roof rack, and the two-piece tailgate is handy.
The rear glass can be popped open with the key fob, so dropping smaller items like a gym bag into the cargo area is easier than it might be with some competitors, which require hefting the entire gate upward. |