Mercury Mariner vs. Nissan Xterra
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercury Mariner and Nissan Xterra 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 Nissan Xterra.
In comparing the Mercury Mariner's and the Nissan Xterra's specifications and ratings, the Mercury Mariner has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Nissan Xterra has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mercury Mariner's and the Nissan Xterra's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2011 Mercury Mariner ranges from $3,046 to $10,357 while a used 2011 Nissan Xterra is priced between $4,999 to $13,431.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercury Mariner’s base engine makes 171 horsepower, and the Nissan Xterra base engine makes 261 horsepower. The Mariner is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. The Xterra is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles.This gives the Mercury Mariner the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Nissan Xterra the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan Xterra has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Mercury Mariner has the advantage in the areas of front head room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23565
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24260
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22284
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18295 - 25790
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
6692
Price Range:
3046 - 10357
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
134846
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
9409
Price Range:
4999 - 13431
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
8802
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
6651 - 22085
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
33
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
140959
# Good or Great Deals:
9
Mercury Mariner Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Nissan Xterra Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
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 Nissan Xterra
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:
2.0770309959765796
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8695580848768658
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.9 - 20.1
Mercury Mariner Rankings
Not yet available
Nissan Xterra Rankings
Available 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
Nissan Xterra Trim Levels
PRO-4X, S, X
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
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:
261 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
281 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 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:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 22 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
338 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
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:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Heated Seats
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
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:
Available
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
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:
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
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:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Cargo Space:
36.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
65.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
135.1 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:
4143 lbs
Width:
72.8 inches
Height:
74.9 inches
Length:
178.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 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:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P265/70R16
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
Super Black
Blue
Not available
Gold
Not available
Gray
Night Armor
Green
Metallic Green
Red
Lava Red / Red Brick
Silver
Silver Lightning
White
Avalanche
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Stone
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Gray
