What's a lover of the environment and outdoor activities to do? A small car makes a lower carbon footprint, but can't carry the gear for a backwoods adventure. And a small car certainly can't go past where the groomed road ends. That means many outdoors enthusiasts need a sport-utility vehicle. But those tend to make big, stomping carbon footprints, which is embarrassing for the environmentally conscious. Here's a vehicle that can carry a lot of stuff to that secluded campsite, while minimizing damage to the environment-the 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid.

Mileage Efficient

Since few will go where all-wheel drive is truly required, the front-wheel drive Mariner Hybrid earns ratings of an impressive 34 miles per gallon in city driving and a very respectable 31 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive version of the Mariner Hybrid is rated at a very respectable 29 miles per gallon in the government's city driving cycle and 27 mpg on the highway. (Based on 2009 Model Year fuel economy ratings; 2010 EPA numbers were not available at the time this article was written.)

The Mariner Hybrid also has adequate cargo capacity if only two or three passengers are aboard. While there's a modest 30.9 cubic feet available behind the second-row seats, some 66 cubic feet of stuff can be carried with the second row tumbled forward. The rear seat folds forward in a 60/40 split, so a third passenger won't severely limit cargo capacity. Towing ability, when properly equipped, is limited to just 1,000 pounds (including passengers and stuff inside the vehicle), so forget the pop-up camper.

Model Year Updates

The Mariner Hybrid underwent a fairly aggressive makeover for the 2009 model year. Changes included a restyled grille, hood, liftgate, head- and taillamps and an Atkinson-cycle version of the inline four-cylinder, 155-horsepower, 2.5-liter gasoline engine found in conventional Mariners. Differences for 2010 include an improved liftgate latch, new rear head restraints and an optional rear view camera. Another new option is Active Park Assist, which helps the driver perform a parallel parking maneuver. MyKey™, a new, standard feature on all Mariner models, is a computer chip inside the key that allows parents to limit the top speed of the vehicle to 80 mph and to set a maximum volume on the audio system.

The pace of all technology moves rapidly. Not long ago, only upscale vehicles had compact disc players. Soon afterward, manufacturers began the race to see which could offer the largest capacity CD changer. Today, CDs are going the way of the eight-track tape, their place taken by MP3 and Windows Media Viewer (WMV) devices. Thus, the Mariner models will offer only singledisc players: Six-disc CD changers are eliminated from the option list. The standard sound system features MP3-compatibility and SIRIUSŪ Satellite Radio with six-month pre-paid subscription. Standard on Mariner Hybrid is the Microsoft-developed SYNCŪ voice-activated system for communications and entertainment.

Power and Performance

Describing the operation of the Mariner Hybrid's Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine would confuse more than enlighten. Suffice it to say that an Atkinson-cycle engine is an adaptation of a conventional four-stroke gasoline engine that is more fuel efficient, because it converts more combustion heat into mechanical energy. The Mariner Hybrid's electric motor makes a peak of 94 horsepower. The combination of the gasoline engine and electric motor gives the Hybrid acceleration similar to a V6 engine. The Mariner Hybrid earns California's Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle rating, the cleanest emissions rating achievable by a fossil-fuel vehicle.

The transmission in the Mariner Hybrid is an electronically controlled continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) unit. An eCVT better keeps the powerplants in their most efficient operating range. The Hybrid also uses regenerative braking to regain some energy that would otherwise just be turned to heat by the brakes. Also helping to improve fuel efficiency is the Mariner's Hybrid's electric power steering. This system uses less energy than conventional hydraulic systems, which are driven by a belt running from the engine.

The Mariner Hybrid's 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride batteries are warranted for eight years or 100,000-miles in most states and 10 years or 150,000 miles in states that follow California standards. See dealer for limited warranty details.

Safety Honors

The 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid scored the highest rating-five stars-in the government's front and side crash tests. Also, the non-hybrid version of the 2009 Mariner earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award.

Mariner Hybrid comes standard with AdvanceTracŪ with RSCŪ (Roll Stability Control™) and antilock brakes. The Mariner Hybrid boasts front-seat side airbags, Safety Canopy SystemŪ and the Personal Safety SystemŪ, which includes dual-stage front airbags and Front-Passenger Sensing System.

The Mariner Hybrid retains the regular Mariner's go-pretty-much-anywhere image with available four-wheel-drive. While most will employ the four-wheel-drive (4WD) system to conquer snowy highways, the Mariner Hybrid is more than up to the challenge of backwoods roads and the like. The 2010 Mariner Hybrid allows its owner to enjoy the environment and leave light footprints behind.