Back to the present, the Mariner is available for the paltry sum of $21,995, not much more than the $19,405 needed to
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| Despite its many standard features, at $21,995 USD the Mariner is only marginally more expensive than the Ford Escape. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
buy into a Ford Escape despite its many standard features. In Luxury trim the price escalates to $23,495, also quite reasonable. Its final designation, Premium, tallies up at $25,245, and features most features currently available in the luxury SUV realm, less four-wheel drive which adds on an additional $1,750 for a total price of $26,995. Add on every available feature and the top price paid won't exceed $29,065, other than the $590 destination fee and applicable taxes of course. Considering the compact SUV's high-level of luxury and sporty demeanor it is a pretty decent deal even when fully optioned out.
Attractive pricing in mind, while driving throughout upstate New York on a rather cold afternoon I couldn't help to appreciate how well the Mariner would fit into the Canadian landscape. Personally, I think that most of Mercury's new lineup would succeed north of the
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| The Mariner's unique waterfall grille, vertical headlamp assemblies and brushed aluminum trim set it apart from its Ford relatives. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
49th, now that Ford Motor Company has given the brand a face of its own. Before the once proud nameplate pulled the plug on our country in 1998, it was merely a brand-managed extension of the blue oval. Since then Mercury was given its own head of design, a person who started the revitalization process rolling after penning the second-generation Mountaineer. Its unique waterfall grille, vertical headlamp assemblies and brushed aluminum trim not only set it apart from the Ford Explorer it is based on, but from everything else on the market too. Mercury's stylish Monterey minivan could also do well in a market that is much more agreeable to the practical aspects of the monobox shape than the U.S.
