Mercury Mariner vs. Ford Explorer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercury Mariner and Ford Explorer contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercury Mariner and the Ford Explorer.
In comparing the Mercury Mariner's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Mercury Mariner has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercury Mariner's and the Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the Mercury Mariner.
Pricing: A used 2011 Mercury Mariner ranges from $3,138 to $10,449 while a used 2011 Ford Explorer is priced between $5,993 to $14,992.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercury Mariner’s base engine makes 171 horsepower, and the Ford Explorer base engine makes 290 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Explorer has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Mercury Mariner has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Ford Explorer has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,565
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$28,190
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,240
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$21,195 - $32,000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$6,614
Price Range:
$3,138 - $10,449
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
11
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
141,477
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,314
Price Range:
$5,993 - $14,992
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$10,601
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$7,357 - $17,760
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
126
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
153,489
# Good or Great Deals:
43
Mercury Mariner Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercury Mariner
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1 - 19
Mercury Mariner Rankings
Not yet available
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mercury Mariner Trim Levels
I4, Premier I4, Premier V6, V6
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, Limited, XLT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
171 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
171 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
255 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
347 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
29.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
66.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
128.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61 inches
Cargo Space:
21 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
80.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
172.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3335 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
68 inches
Length:
175.2 inches
Wheelbase:
103.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4509 lbs
Width:
90.2 inches
Height:
70.4 inches
Length:
197.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Tuxedo Black Metallic
Blue
Steel Blue
Gold
Gold Leaf Metallic
Gray
Sterling Grey Metallic
Green
Lime Squeeze Metallic
Red
Sangria Red Metallic
Silver
Ingot Silver Metallic
White
White Suede
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Tuxedo Black Metallic
Blue
Kona Blue Metallic
Gold
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Red Candy Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Silver
Ingot Silver Metallic
White
White Suede
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Stone
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Medium Light Stone
