Major Options / Build: Leather Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Alloy Wheels, Bluetooth, Backup Camera, Heated Seats

Additional Description: Though the 2010 Mercury Mariner has some desirable attributes, particularly in the technology arena, we think there are better choices overall.The Mercury Mariner debuted four years ago, but it's essentially a rebadged version of the Ford Escape introduced way back at the turn of the century. Since then, both models have received significant styling, interior, powertrain and suspension revisions. These have kept the Mariner fresh, but it remains an open question whether they make the 2010 Mercury Mariner truly competitive against its rivals.On the plus side, the recently fortified engines are certainly up to the challenge. The 240-horsepower V6 is bested by segment luminaries like Toyota's 268-hp RAV4 and Chevrolet's 264-hp Equinox, but it's powerful enough to move the Mariner around with decent verve. The base 171-hp four-cylinder unit is also just fine for this class. Fuel economy is solid too, with the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder model delivering a respectable 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.The availability of Ford's Sync system is another strong selling point, particularly with the new 911 assist and GPS functions (traffic reports and turn-by-turn directions) that run through your paired Bluetooth phone. Additional pluses include a new Auto Park system that blissfully takes the guesswork out of parallel parking, standard MyKey (which allows parents to set electronic limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume for their teenage driver), excellent crash test scores and the availability of a hybrid model (reviewed separately).V6 Flex Fuel 3.0 Liter,Automatic 6-Spd w/Overdrive,4WD,Traction Control,Stability Control,ABS (4-Wheel),Alarm System,Keyless Entry,Air Conditioning,Power Windows,Power Door Locks,Cruise Control,Power Steering,Tilt Wheel,AM/FM Stereo,CD/MP3 (Single Disc),Audiophile Sound,Sirius Satellite,Backup Camera,Dual Air Bags,Side Air Bags,Head Curtain Air Bags,Power Seat,Leather,Moon Roof,Fog Lights,Roof Rack,Towing Pkg,Alloy Wheels,