2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4X2

Hybrid SUVs like the Mercury Mariner Hybrid are aimed primarily at green-thinking car buyers who want it all. By sport-utility standards, fuel economy is high and tailpipe emissions are low. At the same time, the Mariner Hybrid allows one to live the hybrid car lifestyle without losing the everyday versatility provided by all-wheel drive and a decent-sized cargo area.

At speeds up to 25 mph, the electric motor provides all the power. It features a compact design that operates on power drawn both from the battery pack and from a generator motor, and emits virtually no harmful pollutants. No, you don’t need to plug it in at night. T 330-volt sealed nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is quite advanced. Located underneath the cargo area, the battery pack provides energy to start the engine, boosts acceleration and at low speeds provides all the drive power. And driving recharges the battery pack.