If you’ve been a fan of Mercury Mariner in the past (as I have), then you’ll truly be enthralled with the new look on the exterior and interior. Gone is the body color molding/lower body cladding, while the Mercury name is now more visible on the enlarged grille. And integrated inside the headlamp housing – albeit subtly – is the Mercury badge. Inside the Mariner flashes a number of re-takes, including new seats, center console, and floor mounted shifter. Mariner is also the first Mercury to alter the interior landscape, like putting the radio, climate and inside/outside temperature readouts in the upper dash, and showcasing ice blue lighting – in place of green – to illuminate switches and backlight the instrument cluster. Mariner also dialed down the sounds that travel to the interior via a number of changes, including lower profile windshield wipers, thicker side glass, a windshield laminate, thicker carpet, and horizontal roof ribs that help tame wind noise. The SUV now offers speed-sensitive electric power assist steering, and there is a new 10-inch front disc/rear drum braking system. When equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and the optional 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 200 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 193 pounds-feet of torque at 4850 rpm, the miles per gallon count is 17 city and 22 highway. The Premier 4WD Mariner with the above noted powertrain carries a MSRP of $25,380.