Mercury Mountaineer vs. Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Handling
With its rear-wheel drive layout, the Mercury Mountaineer likely has better dry traction than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid; on the flip side, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front-wheel drive layout likely provides better traction in rain, snow or ice. The Mercury Mountaineer and the Highlander Hybrid have about similar tires. With their comparable turning radii, the Mercury Mountaineer and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid most definitely handle roughly the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Mountaineer's engine is substantially more sizeable than the Highlander Hybrid's. Keep in mind that bigger engines may use more gas than smaller ones. Torque is roughly equivalent to acceleration, and in this respect, the Mercury Mountaineer is considerably more powerful than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Torque equals pickup, and the Mercury Mountaineer will have picked up and gone by the time the Toyota Highlander Hybrid finally gets moving.

Utility
There's no clear winner between the Mercury Mountaineer and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid with respect to hauling capacity. The Mercury Mountaineer will very likely prove handier than the Highlander Hybrid for those of you with frequent kid-cargo. The Mercury outpulls the Toyota Highlander Hybrid by a sizeable margin.

Convenience
The Mercury Mountaineer's fuel tank will need to be replenished more often than the unit in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers a bit more head room than the Mercury Mountaineer, there really isn't much of a difference. The ampler interior dimensions of the Mercury Mountaineer make it markedly more spacious for your passengers than the Highlander Hybrid.

Dimensions
Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Mountaineer than the Toyota because of its more capacious tank. The Mercury Mountaineer rides lower than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which is a good thing for its center of gravity and ease of access. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Mountaineer compete for the same parking spaces.

Cost
The Toyota will save you money at the pump compared to the Mercury Mountaineer. As far as MSRP, the Mercury Mountaineer doesn't cost much less than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Mercury Mountaineer will cost you a bundle in gasoline every year compared to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid will save you a bunch of money at the pump every year compared to the Mercury Mountaineer.

Overview
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Mercury Mountaineer have the same basic after-sale protection.