SUVs have been known to look refined and elegant, and most importantly visually appealing. At first sight, the casual observer will find it eye-catching and be immediately intrigued with this vehicle. When you look at the Mariner your eyes will be drawn to the satin-aluminum grille that is common with vehicles by this company, giving the front end a different look from similarly styled vehicles. The head lights, tail lights, side panels and rear bumper are also eye catching and unique to the Mariner.
The entire exterior of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid follows the same theme as all of the other vehicles in the Mercury line. Each vehicle has clean lines that can be considered contemporary. The design is modern, sophisticated, and very urban. It easily stands out in a crowd of other compact SUVs, classy, elegant, but not showy.
The Mariner also sports other exterior qualities that are distinct to this SUV. The rear-quarter window of the driver’s side window has a built-in air ventilation unit that is designed to help manage the temperature of the battery pack on power train. The badges stating that the vehicle is a hybrid are mounted discretely on the vehicle so as not to seem boasting and of course, it has clearly defined and identifiable 16″ wheels that just simply sing down the highway. To finish off the classy design of this hybrid SUV, consumers will notice the door handles are integrated and color matched to the rest of the vehicle. The sides have protective bumpers and cladding, and the overall finish is in satin aluminum with the distinct mercury tail lamps that have been found in the Ford Monterey and Mountaineer minivans.
The Inside
If consumers are impressed by the outside of the Mercury Mariner, then they will like the inside just as much if not more. The entire cabin of this hybrid has been engineered in order to provide the occupants maximum comfort. In addition to the comfort factor of the driver and occupants – and that’s not even mentioning all the options yet – the SUV was also equipped with serious cargo space, making sure that there was plenty of room to haul everything from groceries to luggage and back again.
The inside of this vehicle has an atmosphere all its own. Ford threw out the notion that SUV hybrids don’t have to comfortable and less appealing. Most vehicles today are being manufactured to appeal to that aspect of the human mind. Taking that into account the door trim is lighted and the seats are two-tone. Chrome door handles and bright speaker grilles add to the elegant styling. The chrome and satin aluminum finishes on the outside is also evident on the inside in addition to Sappele wood grain finishing on the center console and stack.
The multi-functioning message center instrument cluster is handy and one of the newer features being added to the SUVs. This message center tells the driver mileage, remaining gas, oil life and trip statistics at the touch of a button. There is also a battery life indicator that gives information about the electrical current flow while driving as well as during the braking process. Plus it tells the driver what the current from the batter to the electric motor is doing while the engine is running on gasoline.
The Mariner has a great audio and navigation system inside of it as well. A four inch LCD display shows the energy flow as it travels between the gas and electric motors, the battery itself, and the wheels. Graphics are used on the monitor, enabling drivers to see quite a bit with a quick glance. It shows how well the regenerative braking system works, the state of the electric and gas engines, and how they hybrid drives are operating.
Other interior amenities include heated front seats, side mirrors, leather seating surfaces – two-toned at that – and reverse sensing system. The safety package that comes equipped standard on the Mercury Mariner SUV Hybrid include driver and passenger side airbags, safety belts, rollover sensors, and side curtains with air bags.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA now releases the details, specifications, and manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the new 2008 Highlander Hybrid mid-size SUV that will roll out in Toyota dealer showrooms all over the U. S. this coming October.

As a hybrid model, the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is equipped with Toyota’s patented Hybrid Synergy Drive(TM). The 2008 Highlander Hybrid is equipped with a 3. 3-liter V6 engine under its hood, featuring four-wheel drive with intelligence (4WD-i). This powertrain is capable of pumping out 270 horsepower and comes with a newly developed powertrain feature like the EV Mode, ECON Mode and Hybrid System Indicator. The EV Mode feature enables the driver to use only electric power within a limited distance and at low speeds. The ECON Mode allows the driver to have a smooth throttle response to limit excessive acceleration. This is acquired by activating a throttle-control program. Meanwhile, Toyota’s Hybrid System Indicator allows the driver to have a visual guide regarding the car’s fuel consumption and offers guides to maximize the car’s fuel economy.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes with a host of interior features and amenities. Standard interior features on the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Base model include AM/FM/CD with six speakers, leather-trimmed tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, and two rows of fabric-trimmed seats.

Like the GMC Acadia with GM bed mat, its competitor in the SUV segment, the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid also offers comfort and convenience for both the passengers and cargo. The flexible second-row seating features captain’s chairs with armrests. This seating feature can be converted to a bench seat for three passengers. The “Center Stow(TM)” seat can be hidden in a compartment on the front center console when not in use, adding more interior space.

For the well equipped 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited model, standard components include three rows of leather-trimmed seats, rear glass hatch, power rear door, multi-stage heated front seats, AM/FM/six-disc in-dash CD changer, puddle lamps on outside mirrors, fog lamps and a third-row bench seat with foldable headrests, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

In addition, both the Base and Limited models are equipped with a stand-alone backup camera with a 3. 5-inch LCD screen and Smart Key System with Push Button Start.

As expected for a Toyota model, both the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Base and Limited offer a bunch of active and passive safety systems. These include driver’s knee airbag and roll-sensing side curtain airbags, active headrests for the driver and front passenger, Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System, Toyota’s STAR(TM) Safety system with Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management, Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will roll out in dealerships carrying a base MSRP of $33,700, while the Highlander Hybrid Limited carries a base price of $39,950.